Exclusive Interview with AJ Moreno

With the recent release of ‘Real Love’, we get to sit down with AJ Moreno. In an exclusive interview we explored previous releases, his Creamfields experience and what tunes he just has to play in his week.

We had the pleasure of hearing your latest track, ‘Real Love’ early. How was it creating this banger and working with Effie?

It was honestly such an enjoyable process…this time round. So this is like the 6th version. I started this project over 4 years ago haha! Looking back, at that time I wasn’t quite there yet on the production front. I ended up doing a few versions, each one was better as I progressed but I still weren’t 100% happy with it. I ended up having multiple singers versions, too, that was a bit stressful. So fast forward to 2020, I started the track again from scratch and I remember playing with chords for ages till I created a progression that I was in love with. I started building up the track from that, then called in Effie! She’s an amazing singer, in front of a microphone she can do anything I swear! I had a good feeling about the instrumental, but when we started recording thats when it hit me, that FINALLY this is THE version lol I hope everyone digs it 🙂

Took it back and listened to ‘No Trust’ and it’s a dance floor filler for sure. Tell us about the creation of ‘No Trust’. What inspired you to construct it in this way?

Thanks for checking it out guys. As far as I know that is the first of my songs to be played on Kiss 100. Big up everyone who supported that one, especially DJ S.K.T.

At that point in my music, I was all about the underground sound, I was dabbling with crossovers but still not sure of my direction. I just went with what I felt I’d like to hear when raving haha. I wanted to make a bit of a tech’y tune but less of a roller and more in your face, that’s why I used such big lead elements. The vocal was fun, I used to be a bit of a conspiracy theorist…I guess, and I stumbled across some wild videos on YouTube, I ended finding some random interview online about the lack of trust between the people and the government, I had to run with that! I’m sure a large percentage can relate 😉

We saw that you performed at Creamfields, how was that feeling?

Creamfields was mad! I loved that day, that was the first time there and I got to spin which was unreal! I remember it felt like the beginning of my career in a way. I was getting support from BBC Introducing, Danny Howard, Jaguar. It was Danny that picked me to open that stage, big up Danny Howard and Jaguar! I was so gassed to be playing at such a prestigious festival, thats where I met Route 94 and Prospa for the first time. Prospa also played the same stage as me later that evening, shout out to them, they’re smashing it! Love their music! Hopefully one day I’ll get to play there again 🙂

Which Artist / Producer has caught the attention of your ears in 2020

There are loads to be fair. Paul Woolford is dope, he has this nostalgic vibe to his music and I can’t get enough of it! Calvin Harris has always been one of my favourites but his project Love Regenerator is so dope. Joel Corry, TCTS. Dance music aside, I’ve been loving The Weeknd’s releases this year. That 80’s sound is love to my ears haha! Lots more, just those come to mind.

What are your 5 non AJ Moreno tracks you just have to play in a week?

I think I have about 15 go to tracks you know! But let’s see…

Diplo x Paul Woolford x Kareen Lomax – Looking For Me. I play this song so often that my 2 year old daughter Aurora sings along. So much so, that now my 1 year old Skylar’s first words are ‘Ohhh yeah!’ lol! Like, her first words are lyrics from a Paul Woolford tune lol!

Joel Corry – Head & Heart

TCTS, Glowie – Better Without You

DJ Khalid, Drake – Popstar

Drake, Lil Durk – Laugh now Cry later

If you could work with anyone, who would it be?

It’s always going to be Calvin Harris, to me, he is one of the best producers in the world. I’ve always been a massive fan of his, love his work and he seems like a cool guy. He’s a super talented and inspirational dude. One interview he did where he said how he got rejected a lot from labels and he kept all his rejection letters etc, that was huge for me. I’ve had years of demo rejection, tonnes of rejection emails lol! It does get you down, you start doubting your ability, so to know someone like Calvin Harris went through that too, that gave me a massive push to continue.

What next in the pipeline for you and your music?

More and more music 🙂 I’ve got another track that I’ve been working on with my pal Amira (dope songwriter) that’s almost finished. Another few after that are in progress too. Stay tuned hehe 🙂 Thanks for having me guys, I really appreciated it, big love! x