Once upon a time, not many people knew the name Daley Padley. At the turn of the millennium he was a relative unknown, starting his own club promotion as a means to get his productions heard by the wider public.

Just a few years later his relentless grafting was already starting to pay off, as he began to receive international recognition on the DJ circuit, being invited to play legendary venues such as Amnesia, Pacha NYC and the Pink Elephant NYC. Things were moving along nicely, his productions were achieving modest success and he was jet-setting around the world on the grand stage.

At the start of last year, however, the bar was raised once again as superstar names such as Axwell, Sebastian Ingrosso, Eric Morillo and P Diddy (!) all started to lay support down for his work in their droves, with Roger Sanchez naming him ‘one to watch for 2007’. Unsurprisingly, just that summer, Daley delivered his huge Ibiza smash ‘Terrace Attack’ on an unsuspecting public, who immediately took to this new sound and quickly adopted it as a White Isle anthem.

Never one to rest on his laurels, Daley has now launched his own label ‘Struggle Digital’ to add yet another string to his bow. He has a chat with Gavin Leversuch to fill us in on his new label, the future of the industry and his similarities to legendary British magician Paul Daniels…

You’ve just launched a new label, Struggle Digital. What was the thought process that helped you make the jump from producer to label exec?

“I guess I’m seeing a lot of success with my music at the moment but it’s not always been like that. I’ve made plenty of wicked tracks before but they never sold because I didn’t have the name. I wanted to turn that on its head and set up a label that’s run to quality rather than popularity, hence the name “Struggle”. I think it’s a great name ‘cos lets face it, we all struggle from time to time!”

What is the ethos of the label? And the sound? Is the plan to fill a specific niche, or does anything go?

“It’s definitely not an ‘anything goes’ label as I’m not trying to sell mp3’s to make a living, I just want to give the other guys a chance of selling a well made record to a label that understands it. It’s not about the remixers either. We have some wicked guys on board so bringing massive remixers in is not essential.”

It seems a strange time to start a new label, with many smaller labels struggling at the moment. Are you concerned about the future, or do you think digital can eventually make up the shortfall in physical sales?

“I’m only going digital. I can’t say that I like the idea altogether ‘cos I bloody miss that vinyl feel, but it just doesn’t sell anymore. I’m not concerned in a bad way about the future because we’re a new label with a different edge. We’re also with a huge American company so I feel that were in the best hands, bring it on baby!”

Can you tell us about the label’s debut release, ‘Changes’?

“Changes is a track made by myself and my best mate Jon. It’s a very housey track with two massive remixes from my good pals Belocca and Ingo Staar. There’s also two wicked mixes from Romania’s NTFO and Glass House resident Levi Lewis. All in all it’s a solid package that’s been getting some big plays.”

Terrace Attack was a massive tune in Ibiza last summer. Have you got anything hidden up your sleeve for this year? Or will you wait until nearer the time?

“Haha my mates call me Paul Daniels, not that I’m small or weird or anything, but I always have something up my sleeve. I’m working on a two track EP as we speak for Ibiza. I’m very excited about it.

Other than that, I’ve got so much in store its unreal. I’m giving my music a good kick in the arse this year and I’ve bought loads of new studio equipment. I’ve had a track signed to Roger Sanchez’s Stealth Records, and made some new tracks with Angie Brown, Prok & Fitch, plus my remixing diary is rammo as well. I’m on the ball right now, so look out!”

Daley’s Current Top 5

1. Magik Johnson – The Bushman (Club Mix) – Underwater Records
2. Roog n Greg – Wicked World (Belocca & Soneec Vocal Remix) – R + G Electronics
3. Daley Padley ft. Dani Girl – Asmatik (Dub Mix) – Portamento
4. Kalibur – Is This For Love (Mark Knight Remix) – Toolroom Trax
5. Darren Mase – Dirty Playroom (Rene Amesz Remix) – Toolroom Records

(Interview: Gavin Leversuch)