Milwaukee DJ and producer Blaze Orange makes his debut on Box of Cats with a playful, groove-led house cut designed to keep the dancefloor moving and the crowd engaged.
Released on Box of Cats, “Still Rockin’” finds the Wisconsin-based DJ and producer leaning into rolling percussion, bouncy rhythms, and cheeky vocal chops. Full of bounce, character, and infectious energy, the track brings a loose, playful feel that invites listeners to lock into the groove and keep moving.
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
1. Congratulations on the release of “Still Rockin’.” What was the original idea behind the track, and how did it develop into the finished record?
I had a inspirational track in mind, and was loosely building around that & also going through a vocal pack I found the “still rockin” that I thought would be a clever concept to work with.
2. The “Still rockin’” and “What’s up?” vocals create a great call-and-response moment. Was that something you planned from the beginning, or did it happen naturally during the production process?
I would say that was definitely a natural fit when I had most all the vocals in and “whats up, thats whats up” got placed in it fit so nicely as a response.
3. You’ve mentioned using around five or six vocal samples from completely different sources. How did you go about making those samples feel as though they belonged together within the same track?
Aside from some tuning, The processing used on most of them is the same. Ive liked using a old school hip hop delay on a number of songs with some other tricks.
4. There’s a strong sense of crowd interaction in “Still Rockin’.” Were you already thinking about how audiences would respond to the track while you were producing it?
no not at all, A happy accident i would say! It took a few test plays out at shows to pick up on that !
5. You spent almost two years sending music to Box of Cats and Nine Lives Club, taking feedback and returning to the studio. What did that process teach you about developing your sound?
Drive and discipline to keep getting better. We have to ask our self, HOW BAD DO YOU WANT IT? Listening back at a labels songs, learning about them & also about my own style. There was something really weird with a swung hat that only Wongo could hear and I had to keep going back on it to try and fix it up, it took some extra work that maybe not a lot of producers would go to that effort but it helped get the track released!
6. What has it been like working with the Box of Cats team, and how would you describe the relationship you’ve built with the label and its artists?
They have a good platform with Nine Lives Club, exclusive IDs, remixs, track feedback. They’ve grown beyond Box of Cats & Box of Trax to put out more music and the feedback to producers in the club is vital for our growth. I also see
how hard these guys behind the label work and its inspiring.
7. Box of Cats is known for releases with plenty of character and personality. How important was it for you to make “Still Rockin’” fit naturally within the label’s sound while still keeping your own identity?
I think both the songs they have release & the artists them selves have a good amount of character & personality yes. Finding that common ground of maybe 3 certain traits my songs have that also match up wtih a labels sound is important. You wouldnt want to change your style too much for a label just to be on that label if thats not your core sound.
8. The label described the track as having “rolling percussion, bouncy grooves and playful vocal chops.” What do you think gives the track its personality?
Its on the faster side of my productions, yet the funky groove remains. Mostly the vocals I think do a lot for its identity.
9. Your journey began with saxophone before moving into DJing, mixtapes, and production. Can you hear any of those early influences in the way you approach music as Blaze Orange today?
Many of us eclectic music fans draw inspiration from all genres. I think the Chicago House cat inside me still shines through a lot of my work.
10. “Still Rockin’” represents a major milestone after years of refining your craft. What would you like the next chapter of Blaze Orange to look and sound like?
Sticking to 3-4 core traits about the Blaze Orange style will carry me on without getting caught up in a trend. House Music is also very global unlike some other genres, and good music has no experation date!
ends…..
After a run of live performances and releases throughout 2024, Blaze Orange continues to carve out his place in today’s dance music scene. “Still Rockin’” captures the core of the project, blending inventive sampling, infectious grooves, and a clear focus on creating moments that connect with the crowd.
The track is also the result of years spent experimenting, taking feedback on board, and refining the sound. Driven by an infectious rhythm, offbeat vocal touches, and a natural call-and-response feel, “Still Rockin’” lands on Box of Cats with plenty of personality and one clear mission: keep the dancefloor moving.
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Blaze Orange – “Still Rockin’” is out now via Box of Cats
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