In this interview, we connect with Craig Oram to dive into the foundations of his musical identity, tracing how formative moments, global influences, and underground scenes have helped shape his direction as a Producer. From witnessing live performances to exploring the wider scope of the Electronic Music scene, Craig shares the key experiences that set him on a path toward building his own sound, remaining both curious and passionate as he continues to shape his musical journey and evolving style.
As we sit down to discuss his approach, inspirations, and navigation of the ever-shifting landscape of Electronic Music, we look forward to gaining insight into Craig Oram and his unique perspective.
Hi Craig, how are you doing?
Hey! Much appreciate the chance to chat again!
I’m all good, currently back out at sea at work, but thankfully, I am still getting the time I need for producing.
Can you remember the first artist or track that made a lasting impression on you?
That’s a good question, there’s plenty! But I’ll try to think back…
I think there are a few occurrences when I was younger which were turning points in my music taste and interest in the genre.
Seeing Deadmau5 play at Rockness in Scotland in 2012 – the set featured all his own music and his revolutionary light show – that made a huge impression on me.
Similarly with Eric Prydz / Cirez D – his track called ‘Tomorrow’ – the tightly produced, powerful groove and 16th note bassline kept me replaying that track for a while. Moving forward, I then tried to find tunes that dialled that style up a notch.
I think it was around 12 years ago when I was on holiday in Cape Town. I met some lads surfing at the beach, and one of them was a producer. He showed me Psytrance for the first time. To be honest, I can’t remember the track or artist, but when I heard it, I immediately liked the aesthetic of the sound and the energy it provided. I think that was when I realised anyone can be a producer, and you don’t need a huge studio to do it.
How have your early experiences at festivals shaped your musical taste and direction as a producer?
Going from small festivals in Scotland to larger ones in England and then to some of the biggest festivals in Europe and America, at first, it was quite difficult to differentiate what I was listening to. Also, when you’re younger, you’re usually much more drunk!
It took a while for me to find the music I really liked. It started with listening to random stuff, then kind of mainstream Techno, then searching for funkier Tech House/Disco stuff. Then, when I went to Ozora, I loved the Psytrance – but the tunes I heard at the Techno stage were like a fusion of Psy/Melodic/Minimal Techno, and that really resonated with me.
You’ve mentioned artists like Lu4o, Shagy (IL), and Groove Delight before—what is it about their sound that resonates with you?
I feel you can tell they’ve gone their own way and created tunes they want to make, rather than what they think the audience wants. It keeps their music authentic, and their ability is shown so well through their productions and mixes.
I love their sound choice, bass groove, energy and creativity. It’s not stereotypical or predictable – there’s a psychedelic element to their tracks, and I love to see when they release something new.
Are there any non-electronic genres or artists that have influenced your approach to rhythm or atmosphere?
Sometimes UK/US rap will influence my rhythm, but mostly just due to trying to fit my style of bassline around their vocals.
Some of the basslines from older Funk Rock tracks give me inspiration and sometimes remind me not to overproduce.
I feel sometimes I overlook the atmospheric elements in my tracks as I get too excited about the main idea, but I am trying to put more effort into the accompanying elements.
Do you find your influences changing as your production style evolves, or do you tend to return to certain sounds or artists?
The psychedelic influence, I feel, is ingrained in my production process now.
I think my influences remain fairly constant. I stick mostly to Tech House, Indie Dance, and some Melodic Techno. My close friends share a similar music taste to me and are constantly on the lookout for new tunes/artists. Sometimes they’ll show me a track or artist they’ve recently discovered, and it will ignite a new avenue to try and create a similar track.
How does your environment or the people around you contribute to what you’re inspired by musically?
My environment is constantly changing, and I have barely any routine. My life consists of working away on an oil rig off the coast of Israel for a month, then I’m released back into the world for a month.
I juggle travelling and trying to see my friends and family as much as I can. My surroundings vary massively from one week to the next. I feel this is good for creativity though, as I really don’t know what will inspire me next – but I’m always open and looking for opportunities.
Is there a specific track or set you’ve heard that made you think differently about how you wanted to make or play music?
I think when I heard Lu4o’s track ‘Just for Laughs’ for the first time, I knew what standard of groove, energy, creativity and clarity I wanted to aim for in my tracks. It opened my eyes to a whole new avenue of underground sub-genres and other similar producers, and to not be afraid to just produce what I really want.
How do you balance drawing inspiration from others with staying original in your own productions?
This is probably easiest explained with a recent example…
There’s an unreleased track that Adam Sellouk and other melodic DJs are playing now – I think it’s called ‘Make You’. It’s simple, but it hits hard and is produced fantastically. I loved the energy, and it made me feel a certain way.
So, I decided I wanted to produce that style of track with the aim of achieving a similar feeling. Or at least try… It’s not my typical kind of style, but I really enjoyed producing it.
I don’t really use reference tracks at all when I’m in the production stage, as I find sometimes it may push you to mimic the other artist’s track too much.
I just start a new project, get the initial bass rhythm going, then any new elements I audition in the track, I decide if it gets me closer to how I felt when I listened to the track that inspired me in the first place. My trust in my own intuition has grown a lot in the past 24 months, and sometimes, once I’ve finished a track, I can barely even remember how I did it…
I started and finished this track here, at work, following two night shifts, and I think it may be one of the cleanest tracks I’ve made so far. It will come out soon – it’s called ‘Work It.’
Are there any scenes or regions—like Brazil’s minimal scene or the UK underground—that you keep a close eye on for inspiration?
Brazil’s underground minimal scene has had a strong impact on how I produce, especially in the bass side of my tracks. I would often listen to DJ sets from clubs like Green Valley or Universo Parallelo. I’d love to visit Brazil, and it would be a dream to play there.
Nowadays, the amazing Tech House that’s coming out of Argentina is massively inspiring me right now. Labels like LOW CEILING and Kindegarden showcase a lot of this style.
There’s a style of music that came out of Egypt over 10 years ago, and most of the producers behind it have either stopped producing or completely changed their style. If you search for artists like S-lap, Proof, Shata, or Mooh – for me, their music was ahead of its time. It gave me a lot of insight into how creative you can be with rhythm.
If you could collaborate with any artist that’s influenced you, who would it be and what kind of track do you imagine making together?
I would kill to collaborate with CADELAGO – I feel his sound and hybridisation of genres is very fresh and powerful, and all his remixes are very relatable for audiences. He also has his own Psytrance alias ARCTURUS – his tunes are unreal too. I feel our tastes are not so different.
As we end our interview with Craig Oram, we thank him for his time and for allowing us a glimpse into his creative world. Remaining inspired by the diversity of Electronic Music and its ever-evolving substyles, he continues to refine his sonic identity, motivated by the pursuit of originality, connection, and steady artistic growth. With new music on the horizon, the road ahead is set to see Craig further develop his sound and approach, so be sure to keep him on your radar and follow him across social media, staying tuned for updates on his latest projects and releases.
Craig Oram Online