Chicane shine on

A decade in the music business is not an easy feat, so what is Chicane's secret?Well, according to the brains behind the world renowned dance project, Nick Bracegirdle, it's the ability to stay fresh and push boundaries.Known as the "godfather of the Ibiza anthem", Bracegirdle first got clubbers raising their arms in unison to his ambient Balearic sound - influenced by his own blissful childhood holidays on the Spanish island - back in 1996 with his debut single 'Offshore'.Having successfully tapped into this sub-cultures' yearning for moody, atmospheric melodies the producer followed up 'Offshore' with hit 1997 debut album 'Far from the Maddening Crowds', described as "a soundtrack to an average day".After conquering clubbers' paradise, Bracegirdle sought to his expand his musical CV by seeking out eclectic vocal collaborators.In 1999, he produced 'Saltwater' with Marie Brennan of the Celtic band Clannad and in 2000 he provided ageing pop singer Bryan Adams with some much needed credibility by offering him the vocals on 'Don't Give Up'. The partnership paid off with the single making it into the top 10 of the UK singles chart and introducing Chicane to a whole new audience.More recently, the 36-year-old electronic musician approached, in his words, a "true legend" to sing on his song 'Stoned In Love', and a surprisingly good collaboration with Tom Jones was born and released last year.

However, Chicane's musical journey has not been without difficulties, notably a two-year lawsuit with record label Xtravaganza and the cancelled release of their eagerly-anticipated 2003 album 'Easy to Assemble' because of a leaked copy flooding internet file-sharing websites.

With his adopted laidback Ibiza-attitude, Bracegirdle refused to be fazed by these set-backs and is now preparing to release his third official studio album 'Somersault' - his first on his own label Modena Recordings.

The LP once again shows that Bracegirdle is not afraid to push boundaries and his sound notably shifts away from the ambient vocal-heavy dance music Chicane has come to be known for and into the uncharted arena of indie and rock.

Once again though, Bracegirdle may have just tapped into the Ibiza ethos of the day, with the clubbers paradise hosting the Ibiza Rocks concert series for the third year running.This summer sees the likes of the Arctic Monkeys, Kaiser Chiefs, Dirty Pretty Things and Hard-Fi perform on the island which was once solely the property of hardcore ravers.

Here, the London-born producer talks about changing his sound, working with Tom Jones, losing a whole album to the internet and getting Gunther from 'Friends' to star in his music video.

Q: 'Somersault' is a departure from the classic Ibiza anthem Chicane sound, what prompted the change?

Well, firstly it's much more of an evolution than a sudden shift to become rock gods, the Chicane tracks have slowly become more song based over a period of time. Second, being over a decade old, the project needs to still be fresh and a challenge for me, few artists stay in the same place for the duration of their career and I'm sure I'm no different.

It is an interesting thing how people interpret your music. I'm still amazed how many people believe I'm a DJ! I have always been a songwriter from the start, so this album is no departure. The new album allows me to push the Chicane sound further and let my songs take on a bigger and broader dimension.

Q: But this record is still unmistakably Chicane?

It's important to retain the core elements that make up what the Chicane stands for. For me, the elements that signify Chicane is my use of melody and atmosphere, be it a dance, rock or punk track. A leopard can't change its spots and you can still recognise my writing and production within different genres.

Q: Your video for your new single, 'Come Tomorrow', stars Gunther (James Michael Tyler) from 'Friends' as the world's worst postman. How did that bizarre casting come about?

James lives next door to my best friend from university in Los Angeles who also directed the video. They got on really well and he brought him along. I'm a massive 'Friends' fan and wondered what ever happened to him after the series finished.

He's a really great bloke, we hit it off immediately and became good mates. It turns out James is a huge fan of English beer and we ended up getting really battered together before, during and after we shot the video. I'm used to watching him as the coffee guy on 'Friends' but I was shocked to learn that he's now a budding dance producer, specialising in some trancey chill out. It's pretty good too, we're thinking of signing him to the label. He's a cool guy.

Q: Talking about bizarre collaborations, you've got an amazing track record of bringing other artists into dance music who wouldn't usually be accepted by that audience - particularly with your number one hit 'Don't Give Up' which featured Bryan Adams. Do you approach them, or do they come to you?

A bit of both, Bryan originally asked me to do a remix of one of his singles and the relationship began there. But I approached the Clannad gang for 'Saltwater', I could just hear Maire Brennan on that track and it went on to become a monster. I also pursued big Tom Jones for 'Stoned In Love', which opens the new album. I was really pleased at that success, it was on dozens of compilations and really introduced this album perfectly.

Q: Were you always a big Tom Jones fan?

Yeah, I can't believe I got to spend so much time with him recording the song. It's amazing to hear him talking about Frank Sinatra, he knew Frank and Elvis. Presley quite well.

He told me that Frank used to b****ck him about his voice, saying he was going to wear it out. I don't usually get star-struck but you do go, 'Oh f***ing hell!'

Tom has been around for such a long time but is still so cool. To me he is a true legend.

Q. What do you think the fascination is with big stars working with credible, more underground dance producers?

Well, it's an obvious and instant way for the older generation to access a younger audience and also a way to put a new spin on their careers. Not everyone can pull it off, it's rather important not to sound like mutton dressed as lamb.

The key with Bryan and Tom was that I didn't want them to sound exactly like themselves? They surprised people with different sounds on their record, Tom sounded like a totally different vocalist for the whole first verse on 'Stoned In Love', it's good to surprise people, the public as well as the artist? I suppose it just reflects the fact that I have a really wide taste in music and that's also what you hear with 'Somersault'.

The album is predominantly about songs - songs produced in a mix of traditional and electronic techniques. In essence it's indie meets dance, in a blend that isn't a cliché. It's not Run DMC meets Aerosmith!

It was really quite tricky to pull off, as the balance of the genres can lead to it sounding like a dance record with guitars or a rock record with some squelchy noises. There's also a flavour of the old instrumental Chicane too.

Q: Your last album was leaked on the internet and spread like wildfire, stopping it being released? What are your thoughts on the downloading revolution and mp3s?

My thoughts are that a lot of people owe me and they can send cheques to… But seriously, I did lose two years work and have taken steps to make sure this never happens again, most of which I won't divulge.

But it was ridiculous. There was a guy in Moscow selling copied CDs as if he was the official supplier. He was the only one who made money from it? I even see copies for sale on the forums on my own website. These people have made their own artwork for it and everything.

I do find it strange the climate that has developed in which a younger generation think most music is public domain and free to do with as they wish. This is not true of everyone, and it is interesting that most major labels let an initial level of piracy develop, to hype and buzz their product. Very soon all music will be purchased by downloading, it has just taken the industry a while to adapt and adjust to this.

Q: You're known as the 'Godfather of the Ibiza anthem' for classic tracks like 'Offshore', are you still in touch with the Balearic scene?

A: To be perfectly honest, I haven't been back to the mad island for some years now, I got a little tired of it for a while. I still love the place, my parents had a house there when I was a kid so I pre-date the club revolution by some years! That scene is still a hotbed for new dance tracks that we'll hear later in the year. And I'm sure it won't be too long before I return.

Q: What are your hopes for Chicane in the future?

A: I left the major labels behind earlier this year and have returned to my very own Modena label, it's the future of the music industry. The major labels just aren't flexible enough to cope with the new world. All new Chicane tracks will be released from here from now on. We hope the album does well and supports the lots and lots of live shows we have planned around the planet.

'Somersault' is released on July 23 and the new single 'Come Tomorrow' is already available to buy

Chicane will debut new material in the UK at London's Islington Academy on July 27.

By Kate Sole.