Seamus Haji
Seamus Haji Bio
From A&R roles at Slip N Slide to Defected and now his own Big Love label, Seamus' production and DJ sets have defined the sound of a generation.
Seamus Haji, a dashing Capricorn of Irish-Indian descent (that explains the name then!), is one of the UKs most influential and internationally acclaimed Dance Music remixer/producer/DJs. He kicked off the new decade in fine style with No 1 UK Club Chart “Good Times” – his Chic remake alongside Mark Knight and Funkagenda as well as a few priority major label remixes for the likes of Estelle, Jamiroquai, Lock Essiene and Hurts and the release of his Big Love compilation.
Best known latterly for his hit remake of “Last Night A DJ Saved My Life” which was Top 15 in the UK National Chart and of course that remix of Booty Luv’s “Boogie 2Nite” which peaked at number 2, he unwittingly spawned the electro house sound which went on to become ubiquitous, often imitated but arguably never bettered.
His remixes retain a mark of quality, signature chords exuding warmth, and always respecting the vocal whether it be R&B royalty such as Rihanna, Mariah Carey, Brandy; indie/rock/pop such as Ting Tings, Moby, Just Jack, Mika or straight-up dance such as Calvin Harris, Axwell, Roisin Murphy.
His own productions (including those alongside sometime partner Paul Emanuel) are well-known global dancefloor staples from ‘Weekend’ to ‘Take Me Away’ and recent collaborations with Kaskade and up&coming French producer Romain Curtis have been signed to respected US labels Ultra and Strictly Rhythm respectively.
The last few years have also seen him diversify and apply his skills to making both broadcast and stadium music for a number of UEFA international football championships as well as the worldwide UEFA ‘Respect’ campaign.
As a DJ, he plays all over the world from Moscow to Manchester, Birmingham to Buenos Aires, Singapore to South London! He wows with technical wizardry and, a previous official ambassador for Pioneer CDJs, takes DJ skills very seriously. Seamus is also much in demand for radio mixes and compilations and highlights include two Radio 1 Essential Mixes, and two exclusive Sessions releases for Ministry of Sound, a number for Defected, and he’s even released 2 comps for Men’s Health magazine!
He will always say that he is first & foremost a DJ and that everything else followed. From the tender age of 16 playing hip hop and soul for infamous London Sound Systems, he was an instant crowd-pleaser on account of his technique and selection. This still applies and for him, nothing beats the adrenalin of thousands of people dancing in rhapsody to his music.
Seamus Haji’s experience is all part of the mix. He has been involved in nearly all aspects of the Music Business from working in London’s most influential black music and dance music record shops to A&Ring for Slip’n’Slide Records and then Defected Records to interviewing and reviewing for seminal Dance Music publications such as Muzik Magazine, Update, DJ Mag, Touch and Echoes and of course, de rigueur stints on pirate radio. Since 2002 he has also been at the helm of his own much-respected house music label, Big Love (also including sister imprints Big Love Digital and Soul Love) for which he has either A&R’d, produced, remixed (or all three) nearly one hundred singles and mixed five compilations.
It was this experience that led to legendary US house label Strictly Rhythm asking Seamus to be Head of A&R in 2010. He hosted their International radio show and podcast and also recently mixed the compilation, Strictly Summer for the label out now. Since then Seamus has left to concentrate on his studio work and has many projects ready for release in 2012. At the moment his track with house legend Cevin Fisher “I Love The Music” (Strictly Rhythm) has peaked at No.2 in the Beatport House Chart with more mixes to follow and them there’s his remake of The Chemical Brothers “Hey Boy Hey Girl” (Rising Music) with Nelski climbing up the Beatport Progressive House chart.
The remixes still come thick & fast with Seamus’ midas touch being added to likes of The Hurts, Dionne Bromfield and Jessie J picking up plays on Radio 1 & playlisted on Gaydar and he ended 2011 with a UK Club Chart Number 1 with his Sarvi “Amore” remix. This year his remixes for Jakwob, Rebecca Ferguson, Scissor Sisters, Niki & The Dove and The Ghosts have all been getting great reactions and more remixes for Rita Ora feat Tinie Tempah (Rok Nation), Jodie Connor feat Busta Rhymes (3Beat) Gossip feat Beth Ditto are to follow showing why he is on of the most in-demand remixers in the UK
He’s recently started his own Big Love radio show on Juice Brighton 107.2 which is also available as an itunes podcast and has been receiving a great response which has now led to a globally syndicated show around the World
With a relentless schedule across all strands of his career, he is living contradiction of those who insist that men can’t multi-task!
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