Grammy-nominated duo Cosmic Gate has teamed up with rising star James French for their compelling new single, ‘Take Me‘, released on Sony Music Germany’s noted. records. This collaboration bridges Cosmic Gate’s signature electronic innovation with French’s emotive vocal prowess, resulting in a track that’s both hypnotic and heartfelt. Anchored in futurist techno, ‘Take Me’ showcases steady kick beats, layered synth patterns, and ethereal vocals that together push the boundaries of modern electronic music.

Cosmic Gate, celebrated for over two decades of groundbreaking trance and progressive sounds, and James French, whose recent Grammy nomination for ‘Avalanche’ with Deadmau5 and Kaskade catapulted him into the spotlight, join forces to craft a unique sonic experience.

In this interview, James delves into his journey, creative process, and the inspiration behind this captivating release

James, can you tell us about your musical journey and how you first got involved in the electronic music scene?

When COVID struck, I started streaming acoustic performances and production on Twitch.tv. It was here I found a network of musical friends that helped me develop inside a D.A.W and as a writer. People used to send in instrumentals and I would try to write vocals whilst on stream, I’d also send vocals to live-streaming producers to get collabs. 

Your collaboration with Cosmic Gate on Take Me is a big moment. How did this partnership come about, and what was the creative process like for this track?

Take me was a vocal idea that started on my travel setup, the recordings were always meant to be re-recorded but the guys managed to capture a vibe with them that we all fell in love with. 

You’ve been nominated for a Grammy for your work on Kx5’s Avalanche. How did that opportunity arise, and how did it feel to receive such a prestigious nomination?

Receiving the nomination was such a surprise but a massive honour, I actually found out via a text from a friend and it was all a little bit unbelievable. It came about through a deep house instrumental made by Marco, which sparked a huge amount of inspiration for myself and Jord to write on. Avalanche went through a few versions vocally before we really nailed the tone! 

How did your approach to vocals and songwriting evolve when working with electronic music producers like Deadmau5 and Kaskade?

We really wanted to make sure that lyrically we told a story that everyone can understand, but using different language to keep it fresh. For the melodies we used 3 octave layers to really make it feel haunting and lock in with the track’s atmosphere. 

You’ve performed at huge festivals like Ultra and EDC. How do those experiences influence your songwriting and performances?

I’ve been lucky enough to have Martix Garrix, Nicky Romero and of course kx5 play out my vocals on some of the largest stages in the EDM world, however I’ve never sung there in person…yet! I’ve performed with Cosmic Gate in London at Ministry of Sound and it was amazing, being now able to visualise the track working with a crowd is a great insight.

As an artist who’s gained recognition quickly, do you have any advice for vocalists who are trying to break into the electronic music industry?

I appreciate that however I feel like I’ve still got some huge goals to hit. For anyone starting out, It’s never been easier to get a ‘good’ vocal sound, tools from izotope like Nectar for processing and RX to get the most out of recordings are incredible ways to get quality quickly, without having to immediately learn about the details. I’d also highly recommend finding a producer with a similar sound to collaborate and grow with! 

Your tracks have been supported by major names like Martin Garrix and Nicky Romero. What’s it like hearing your work on such prominent stages?

It’s always so amazing to hear and see people enjoying the records, even better when they’re singing along! 

How do you maintain a balance between crafting emotionally powerful lyrics and adapting your style to fit the electronic genre?

I naturally tend to not think much and write about whatever feels right for the record, melody is always king but being able to tell a relatable story is important!

Can you tell us more about your experience working with labels like Selected and how that collaboration has helped shape your career?

My work with Selected came around due to being a fan for so many years and reaching out to my favourite producers with toplines that felt like a good fit. Initially however, my relationship with the label started with a song placed by my good friend, Frank (Madism) who saw it being played live on twitch. 

What’s next for you? Are there any upcoming projects or collaborations we should be looking forward to?

Cosmic Gate and I have another record in the works. It’s been played out at a few of their shows and I’m so exited to get it out into the streaming world!