In this digital age, the radio is dominated by sonic perfection; record execs representing the likes of Ed Sheeran and Jake Bugg paying a King’s ransom to the best names in the business in order to bring out a radio-friendly ‘sheen’ on their tracks.

You could easily end up paying £2,000 a track for such an honour - and while that’s certainly a small price to pay to achieve that current trend in sound - a DIY solo artist in East London is breaking tradition.

Chris Ilett’s recent single ‘More, More, More’ has been making waves on London stations this summer with it’s upbeat, catchy appeal, and slightly unconventional swagger. By September, BBC Introducing had picked up on it. 

DJ Dean Jackson said “Chris is a talented singer, songwriter, musician, producer, with a great DIY ethic”.

The 2 minute track got the attention of Steve Lamacq show Producer, Tom Billington, who invited Chris down to 6 Music for a chat, and to go through some material.

Tom remarked that the tracks had “really great production - I love what you’re doing…. do you ever produce other artists?”

He then invited Chris down any time he has new material to play them - something unheard of for an unsigned artist - that job is usuall handled by professional radio pluggers - even for much larger acts, with a name in the industry.

“I also got in touch with a producer from Radio X who said the song is really catchy - so he sent it on to the Head of Music. It goes to show that radio can take DIY artists seriously”.

“Mixing and producing isn’t simple - but I play and produce everything on my records - I’ve spent a long time trying to do it, trying to create my own sound, and maybe it’s time for a change and people are open to new sounds now”.

“My songs don’t sound like most stuff you hear - a lot of that is down to production - I like keeping a raw edge. Music isn’t supposed to be perfect. Even if people view it as a product - it’s supposed to be exciting and challenging.”

“I don’t know if I could do the work as well as those famous mix engineers - they’re incredible. But I get the results I want to hear - and I love creating the entire package. I’m not part of the machine - what I create is as I intended it. Apart from when I mess it up”.

Chris’ single “More, More, More” is out now on all digital retailers.

www.chrisilett.com

sound@chrisilett.com