Following the slow-swaying haze of The Way You Love Me and the lean hypnosis of Rollin Deep, Deep Cuddle returns with Spice, a brooding collaboration with vocalist suemono that dials down the warmth and sharpens the edges.
This one moves with intent. Gone is the loose swing of earlier releases, Spice is tighter, darker, and more deliberate, anchored by a sinuous bassline and restless, skeletal percussion. suemono’s vocal threads in and out like a half-remembered thought, adding tension without ever resolving it.
With the single out now, we caught up with Deep Cuddle to chat about its production and how having a fulfilling and balanced life allows him to pursue creative endeavors.
What can you tell me about Spice? Where did the idea start, and what was the process like working with suemomo?
Sue is an amazing human being. She is amazingly creative and driven with a keen sense of quality in dance music.
What was it about suemomo’s vocal style or energy that felt right for this track? Did it bring something unexpected to your usual process?
So this was the first time we’ve used the Korean language in a track. Sue felt like it was a good way to create some new flare to the music to reach out to spicy food lovers and neuro spicy folks alike.
You’ve been steadily releasing music over a long period, without rushing or forcing it. Do you think your approach to making music is shaped by any kind of mindfulness or daily practice?
I think my new creative endeavors are more about having a fulfilling and balanced life that allows you to pursue creative endeavors. Like most creatives I enjoy meditation and yoga. A lot of different wellness activities that better my overall inner and outer surroundings.
Do meditation or other reflective habits play a role in your life, or in how you approach creativity?
Absolutely, so I started regular meditation consistently with a meditation center and have stuck to the practice. Its allowed me to have clarity in all my pursuits, work life and creatively.
What have you learned about maintaining your own health, mental, physical, or emotional, while working in an industry that often overlooks that side of things?
It’s really one of my top priorities to be honest. Fitness, rest, relaxation, sauna, cold plunge, meditation and community building are all critically important to maintain my overall health and wellbeing.
Are there particular routines, environments, or states of mind that help you get into a creative flow?
So there’s 2 different states that work out the best. When I’m very calm and I go into the studio I’m able to clearly create with little distraction. And then the other is when I get to create with other artists. We all get excited about the process which creates a lot of good synergy and we all kinda build off of eachother. It’s pure magic.
When you listen back to older material, can you hear where you were at in life? And if so, what do you hear in the newer tracks?
I don’t remember where I was in my life. I reminisce more about the technical function of how it was created. Making music is a lifelong process of evolving and growth of skills.
You’ve kept your connection to music going for over two decades. What does longevity look like to you, creatively and personally?
Knowing when to take a break allows you the space to grow as a person which will then in turn help the stylistic development because you’re refreshed with a charged battery.
You’ve said before you’re not especially plugged into the scene. Has that distance helped shape a more personal or honest relationship with the music itself?
100%! When you stop worrying about exterior factors of trying to keep up with the jones’ or be part of the scene it strips you completely bare. I can strictly focus on the music, and I’m not really worried about anything else. Intermittent solitude can be a beautiful thing in the art of making music
Spice feat. suemomo is out now on Penthouse Audio
