Chris Lake Gets People Grooving On The Dance Floor With His Anthemic Song “Beggin’”

Chris Lake is renowned as one of the top house artists in dance music right now. The deejay and producer has delivered house heaters such as “Turn off the Lights,” “Deceiver” and “I Want You.” The Los Angeles-based tastemaker released his latest track, “Beggin’,” created with Aluna, on Friday, April 21 via his imprint, Black Book Records, and Astralwerks.

The single boasts mysterious and sultry vocals by Aluna, glimmering synths, bouncy basslines and more. “Beggin’” proves to be another anthemic song by Lake, and it follows his headline slot with Fisher at Coachella.

The Britain-bred artist’s credits include several Billboard chart-toppers, a platinum record, a GRAMMY nomination and a Las Vegas residency. Lake’s debut release on his imprint was “Operator (Ring Ring) [feat. Dances With White Girls],” which was the 2017 Holy Ship! anthem. The record gained support from Claude Vonstroke, Green Velvet, Disclosure and Duke Dumont. In addition, Lake boasts a compilation dubbed HOWSLA that was co-curated with Skrillex. He has also released singles with Grimes, Channel Tres, deadmau5 and SIA, just to name a few. Indeed, Lake proves to be creating forward-thinking four-to-the-floor tracks.

The kingpin producer is also the ambassador for Oceanic Global, an international NGO that sheds light on humanity’s essential relationship with the ocean and empowers individuals, communities and industries to create positive change. He has partnered with them numerous times to ensure his tours are as carbon-neutral as possible.

Here, Lake shares the inspiration behind “Beggin’,” how people can help save the ocean, where he would be today if he didn’t go into making music and more.

Lisa Kocay: Can you describe your sound in three words?

Chris Lake: “Upfront, twisted house.”

Kocay: What is the inspiration behind “Beggin’”?

Lake: “For me, the main thing was getting into a room with Aluna and seeing what happened. This was what we laid down immediately once we met up, and it felt so exciting and fresh to us. I knew we had something I wanted to release.”

Kocay: You’re an ambassador for Oceanic Global. How did you get involved with the non-profit?

Lake: “Well, I’ve lived near the ocean all my life. I love what they stand for and we share very similar values when it comes to making changes in our lives for the sustainability of the planet. We just feel very aligned in our beliefs.”

Kocay: What do you think people can do to help save the ocean and have awareness around it?

Lake: “I think it’s important firstly to gain an understanding of what is going on in this world, then look at small positive changes you can make in your own life to make a difference. For me, the simple one is to carry a water bottle. I have one with me everywhere I go. It’s easy once you have one to avoid being wasteful with cups, etc. Next step? Stop using single-use plastics. Next? Well, the list goes on and on.”

Kocay: What’s your favorite song you made and what was happening in the studio when you created it?

Lake: “Definitely ‘Turn off the Lights.’ I just remember being so, so driven to make a very particular sounding record that day in the studio. I was working with Alexis [Roberts] and my wife, Gita—who is also Aatig [and] was the co-writer on the song. I was driving the girls mad trying to get this exact vision of what I wanted the song to feel like. It worked out in the end, and my vision is exactly how it sounds. I love that record.”

Kocay: Do you remember the first electronic music song you heard that made you fall in love with the genre?

Lake: “Absolutely. It was Robert Miles – ‘Children.’ I remember the feeling it gave me so vividly. What an unbelievable track. It just caught me in a trance and now looking back, was the gateway to everything I ever learned and loved in this scene.”

Kocay: Where would you be today if you didn’t go into music?

Lake: “Well, tough to say, but I think I would have pursued something like structural engineering or something like that. It always fascinated me.”

Kocay: What has been the biggest hurdle you’ve had to overcome in life and how did you conquer it?

Lake: “I guess breaking into the music industry and maintaining it as the only thing I do in my life. I’m definitely proud of what I do and hope it continues for many years to come. I’ve just persevered for years and years and never gave up on myself. I’ve always had belief in what I do and what the music can do for people.”

Kocay: If you could go back in time to when you first started making music and give yourself one piece of advice, what would it be?

Lake: “Honestly, loads of stuff. I wish I learned more about art and design when I was younger. I didn’t take that stuff very seriously in my early years, and, quite honestly, it shows. For the last eight to 10 years it’s played a much bigger role in my career and creativity.”