A Quick Chat with Chris Lake
Congrats on the enormous success of Ease My Mind, did you have a celebration with Abel Balder after this incredible kickoff to your upcoming album?
Yeah, I think the celebration was more internal than anything wild, we were both just really proud. Abel’s incredibly talented and has such a unique voice. When we saw the reaction coming in, it was one of those moments where you just think, “Yeah, we made something that connected.” We toasted it from two different countries, basically, but we definitely felt it.
Toxic with Ragie Ban samples an absolute classic. What drew you to that track and what was the vibe working with such a young, rising artist?
"Poison" is one of those timeless tracks that’s instantly recognizable, and the groove is just undeniable. When Ragie sent over his version, I immediately heard potential. It wasn’t just a rehash, he brought something fresh and raw to it. The vibe working with him was great, he’s got that hunger and spark, reminds me of how I felt early on. We bounced ideas back and forth, and it came together really naturally.
You mentioned that In My Head was one of your most requested tracks, how did it feel to finally release it?
Honestly, it was a relief! People have been DMing me, tagging me in videos, asking about it for months. Every time I played it live, I could feel how much it resonated. So finally putting it out into the world felt right, and seeing it hit the charts and get that kind of love has been amazing. It just felt like the perfect track to lead into the album.
You’ve called your debut album Chemistry one of your most defining projects to date. What inspired the name, and how does it reflect the music on the record?
The name came from the way the album came together, every collaboration, every moment in the studio, it was all about that feeling of creative chemistry. Nothing was forced. It’s about connection between artists, between sounds, between the crowd and the music. I wanted to capture that spark, and I think the record reflects that in every track.
How would you describe the vibe of your upcoming album Chemistry in three words?
Soulful, groovy and unexpected.
After two decades in the game, what still gets you most excited when you step into the studio or onto the stage?
Chasing that feeling. You know when you make something in the studio and it gives you goosebumps, or you drop a track mid-set and the whole place just erupts? That never gets old. I’m still obsessed with finding that next moment, that next idea that hits harder than the last.
What can fans expect from your Aussie sets next week? Are you planning to tease some unreleased tracks from Chemistry?
Absolutely. I’ve been sitting on a lot of unreleased stuff and Australia’s getting some of the first listens. These shows are timed perfectly with the album coming up, so there’s going to be a lot of fresh material. The energy is going to be high and I’m really looking forward to seeing the reaction.
What are you most excited about coming to Australia?
Honestly, just the vibe. The crowds there get it, they know the music, and they bring so much energy. Also, the food’s incredible and the weather’s better than anywhere else I’ll be that month, so that helps too. Always a good time.
What's been your wildest Aussie show moment so far?
There’s been a few, but one that sticks out was a show in Sydney where the crowd was just relentless, the rain was pouring and no one cared. They were dancing like it was 30 degrees and sunny. That kind of commitment and energy is why I love playing here. Rain or shine, Aussies show up.
Chris Lake – Australia 2025
Chris Lake has announced two massive sideshows around his Out 2 Lunch Festival appearances this May, including a special Sydney B2B pop-up with Fisher.
Fri 9 May 2025 – PICA – Melbourne, VIC
Sat 10 May 2025 – Hordern Pavilion – Sydney, NSW
Sat 10 May 2025 – Venue TBC – Sydney, NSW (Fisher B2B Chris Lake Pop-Up Show)
