In this interview, we delve into the musical journey and inspirations of Craig Oram, a passionate Producer and DJ on the Electronic Music scene. From his early days discovering music through guitar and drums to his transformative experiences at global festivals, Craig’s passion for sound has been a constant force, consistently motivating his creative journey and exploration into new sonic landscapes.
So, join us as Craig Oram sits down to discuss his artistic evolution, creative process, and inspirations that continue to fuel his innovative approach towards music.
Hi Craig Oram, thank you for joining us today! To start off, can you tell us a bit about your musical background and how you first got into music?
Hello there, thanks for having me!
I think I always felt quite musical from a young age, I grew up watching the music channels. I started learning guitar for a few years when I was a teenager, and I did a bit of drums in music class at school.
I found Electronic Music through YouTube watching Tiësto at Sensation White and other harder style DJs at Sensation Black but quickly grew out of that.
Throughout school, me and my friends would hunt for the best tunes we could find for when we were partying at the weekend. We also didn’t have Spotify or any music apps until the mobile phone technology got good enough.
My eyes were fully opened when I went to Rockness Festival in Scotland on the banks of Loch Ness, I realised just how much music there is out there.
Growing up, who were some of your biggest musical influences and how did they shape your approach to making music?
Growing up I listened to all sorts of stuff – I watched the Kerrang a lot, I liked Green Day and Guns n Roses, I even liked some heavy metal stuff like Disturbed and System of a Down. I gravitated towards plucky guitar sounds; I feel this can sometimes be heard in my tracks.
I then listened to a lot of typical Techno in my early years of raving. However, once I found Progressive Minimal and Psytrance and Tech House tracks, especially stuff from Brazil, I knew this was more like what I was after.
Can you recall a specific moment or experience from your early life that inspired you to pursue a career in music?
I have been going to festivals and raves from the age of about 16 and fell in love with the energy and music and the banter.
However, almost 10 years ago now, I remember standing in the huge dance floor of Timewarp in Germany, I can remember so vividly I had realisation that I wanted to be in the DJ booth as much as I wanted to be on the dance floor.
I turned to my friends and said, I am going to start making some tunes, and it was the first thing I did when I got home.
How has your musical style evolved over the years? Are there any particular artists or genres that have significantly influenced this evolution?
When I started going further afield to larger festivals, I discovered more underground Techno, Psytrance and funky Tech House/Disco. I realized, then, what I’d been missing out on and really started to dig for the music I’d been craving.
When you’re creating new music, where do you typically draw inspiration from?
I am constantly searching and enveloping myself in music, mostly from underground artists that don’t get the recognition that they deserve, in my opinion. I like to use SoundCloud to look for DJ mixes of my favourite producers.
Recently I have taken some inspiration from the popular anime Jujitsu Kaisen – I have sampled an interesting vocal sample for my next track and this idea has inspired the style of sound design and tone included in the track.
I also try to establish areas in my tracks that I feel are lacking and then look to learn some new techniques to improve on them. Quite often in doing so I find some new sounds or new ideas to implement.
Are there any non-musical sources that heavily influence your work?
My close friends and my family can influence some of my ideas as we have very similar tastes. They have a good ear for tunes and sometimes recommend vocals for new tracks.
Some sounds I hear in movies or tv shows as stated above can spark a new idea for a track. Also, certain lighting or visual effects can inspire some sound design for me, often when I am making tracks, I imagine how lighting production would fit the sounds I’m aiming to design.
How do you overcome creative blocks? Where do you look when seeking inspiration?
I sometimes take a step back and just try to regain the perspective of the listener. I like to party a lot, so instead of getting stuck in the studio for hours, I will just have a DJ mix at mine or my friend’s house and relax a bit.
Can you share any recent artists, albums, or experiences that have inspired your latest work?
For sure, the groovy rhythmic Tech House tracks from Fab Massimo and DON’T BLINK, are really resonating with me right now.
The powerful underground Minimal from Lu4o, Greenwolve and COMAH always inspire the tone and impact I am aiming to achieve.
Also, I was recently at ADE where I went to a cool intimate event, where Miss Monique was showcasing her label, and I heard some really nice underground Melodic / Indie Dance tunes, which is somewhat similar to what I am already aiming for and was good to hear in a live situation.
How do new music trends impact your approach? Do you take inspiration from emerging styles and trends at all?
I guess I do take some inspiration from emerging trends, however I wouldn’t try to copy exact sounds or rhythms. I’d try more so to keep up with the energy I feel in the tracks and still maintain my own style.
Finally, what advice would you give to aspiring musicians who are looking to find their own musical inspiration and voice?
Take the time to sit back and enjoy your own music, trust your own vision and don’t be too influenced by the mainstream music.
Don’t be afraid to switch things up every so often, the musical possibilities are endless, and you could just be one macro adjustment away from the sound you are trying to achieve.
And most importantly – don’t give up, keep learning and remember why you started in the first place.
Craig Oram’s musical journey continues to exemplify his passion, perseverance and committed work ethic. By blending his wide-ranging influences with a dedication to constant learning and experimentation, he crafts music that distinctly reflects his approach and perspective, focused on staying true to his unique sound while continuing to push his creative boundaries. As he looks ahead, we can no doubt expect more music from Craig Oram on the horizon, so make sure to stay tuned to his upcoming releases and projects by keeping connected with him via social media.
Craig Oram Online
