Milton Keynes based electronic house music maker Junction 13 has just cause for celebration just now – he has inked a deal for one of his tunes with Defected Records.
The track, Morning Rain, is actually a collaboration with another MK based talent championed by Total MK – singer-songwriter Manny, and when the duo came together it delivered a fabulous melding of musical talents.
Junction 13 and Manny first made a connection at an acoustic show locally.
“He was spectacular,” Junction 13 said, recalling the first time he heard Manny at the microphone.
“One of the greatest live performers I have ever seen locally. He is so humble and quiet but his voice is so mature, soulful and has such a unique character to it.” And Junction 13 knew straight away that he wanted to collaborate.
“I knew I wanted to work with him in some capacity and bridge our musical worlds as our styles are very different but we shared the soulful element and had some mutual favourite musicians!”
Manny and J13 agreed to work on tracks for each other's projects, and Morning Rain began to take shape.
Initial work began in J13s home studio, progressing to New Money Recordings studios. Even in the early stages the duo knew they had something special: “We had a feeling it had the potential for greatness,” Junction 13 remembers.
But with other irons in fires, the track was left to breathe quietly.
Then, while Junction was holidaying in Jamaica he received a phone call to say that Defected had tipped their ears to the demo. Furthermore, they liked what they heard and wanted to hear a finished version.
The pair made fairly brisk steps back into the studio to complete the work.
“...the track was finished, they loved it and here we are today.”
Defected is a British Indie label and a colossal force. Which makes the news that they are already showing interest in more sounds from our fella, all the more exciting.
“This is a single deal, but the label are already eager to have a follow-up in place which is really exciting and the type of conversation we didn't expect to be having already,” J13 told me.
So how does it feel to have a release on the label?
“I am absolutely over the moon,” he says, unsurprisingly.
“Originally we had no outlets to release Junction 13 music so my management team set up an imprint called 'Awake' so we could self release.
“To know our first deal is with one of the most respected labels in the game really solidifies the self belief that team work and sleepless nights eventually pay off.
“I'm excited to represent Milton Keynes again in a major way and also that I have been able to do it with Manny, as he is an absolute gentleman to work with!”
While no release date has been firmed up just yet, a summer issue is looking good for the track, which also features DJ Cameo, and it has just premiered on the Defected In the House radio show, which is a mecca for dance heads.
When we know a release date, we'll share with you.
