Alexander Harry Kotz has established himself as an undeniable talent in the world of electronic music over the last 11 years under the moniker Elderbrook. The British multi-instrumentalist, producer and singer-songwriter broke through with his infectious, Grammy-nominated hit ‘Cola’ in 2017 and has since gone on to amass billions of streams, while releasing acclaimed records including Why Do We Shake in the Cold? (2020) and Little Love (2023). He’s also performed at some of the world’s most iconic venues and festivals, including Red Rocks Amphitheatre, The Mirage, The Greek Theatre, Coachella, EDC, Bonnaroo and Ultra.

Six years on from his first 1883 interview, we find him amidst a flurry of international recognition. His gorgeous 2021 collaboration with fellow artist Bob Moses, ‘Inner Light’, has gone viral after featuring in the latest extended trailer for Grand Theft Auto VI. Since its inclusion, the track has surged to the top spot on Shazam’s Global Viral Chart. Undoubtedly, Elderbrook’s art is now being introduced to a whole new generation of listeners.

Amid the newfound attention, Elderbrook has dropped his new single, ‘Never Get Enough’. Written, produced and sung by the artist, the track also features co-production from Paul Harris and Stuart Crichton. Euphoric yet reflective, the release explores memory and the desire to recapture a feeling that once made life seem electric.

With a string of new tour dates across Canada, Brazil, America and Japan on the horizon, Elderbrook’s momentum shows no sign of slowing.

In conversation with 1883 Magazine, Elderbrook discusses his new single ‘Never Get Enough’, the story behind the Grand Theft Auto VI moment, and the creative process that continues to shape his work.

Thanks for chatting with 1883, Elderbrook. Let’s start with your new single, ‘Never Get Enough’. Could you walk us through the creation of the song and what inspired it? And do you have a favourite sonic element or texture in it?

Most of the song was made in a day, really! After the main rising synth progression was in there I went straight for the falsetto vocals. There’s not many lyrics in this one but, honestly, the verse is probably one of the best things I’ve written. I love the lyrics. So simple.

Sonically though, I love the gospel choir I recorded. The original demo had a little gospel sample in it but I knew from day one I wanted to get in and replace with a live choir. Sounds incredible! 

As a producer when you are crafting a song, how many alterations do you make on a track until you finally get to a point where you’re ready to let go and release it into the world? – do you get consumed by the process or is it easy to move onto another project?

I definitely split the overall creative process into two. There’s the writing and there’s the finishing. Not everything gets finished. When I’m writing I’ll be running around town working with a bunch of people I love working with writing one or two songs a day. When it’s time I’ll choose the music and go in and finish. It’s the finishing that consumes me!

Some songs come together quickly but others are more of a puzzle waiting to be solved. Ultimately, though, it’s usually more finished than I think it is. I’ll often use most of the parts from the demo and work around the best bits. Demo always has more magic. 

You’ve been releasing music for over a decade now and there’s been so many milestones: going platinum, plenty of live shows and a grammy nomination. Now you can add being featured in GTA 6 to the list. Could you please tell us about how Rockstar approached you for the game, and your reaction to ‘Inner Light’ being in the latest trailer?

It’s a funny one! Months and months ago there was a request for a GTA trailer x Netflix and requests like this come in every now and again. To be honest, I assumed that rockstar had probably bought the rights to a bunch of songs and wasn’t even sure they’d use it. Anyway, fast forward to recently, I was on a long flight from LA to Warsaw with no internet and I landed to an insane number of messages from people I haven’t spoken to in years about this GTA trailer!

So I was definitely one of the last people to know about it. Thought it looks amazing though. I now can’t hear my own song without picturing the vice city sky line.  

How have you found and dealt with the influx of new attention after the trailer dropped? And are you a gamer, if so will you be playing it on release day?

Watching the attention on the song explode has been amazing. Streams jumped up 10x as soon as it dropped! Bare in mind his is a five year old song at this point and stuff like this doesn’t usually happen.

I have been a gamer in another life. When I was younger I had all the GTA games and absolutely smashed them. I don’t have a console these days but I might have to treat myself. 

I love the live set you’ve built, you’re not just on the decks but bringing that live vocal aspect to fans as well. How long did it take to fine tune the experience and is there anything you want to try out next at an Elderbrook show?

I’ve been fine tuning it since I’ve started! My first show was probably 2016. When I first hit the stage I had more of a live band with other people onstage.

Eventually it became just me playing keys, looping, singing, drumming and doing it all. At the next bunch of live shows there will be lots of new music for me to get into. That’s the next step!

When it comes to DAWs, you use Logic I believe. What is the top tip you would give to new producers that have just started using it?

Get good at vocal comping. Logic is great for that. If you’re quick like me you can trick people into thinking you’re good at singing. 

What is the best sample you have recorded, one that you find yourself using in demos a lot?

Best sample I ever recorded was a song I made late one night when I was first starting out. I set up to record vocals and pressed record only to knock over a glass of vodka all over my desk. It was devastating BUT the laptop was okay and it turned out that the glass hitting the desk gave me the sharpest snare sound of my entire career. I don’t often reuse sounds but that one’s a fun one to break out every now and again. 

You’ve collaborated with many of your peers, but what is the process like when you’re meeting and working with someone for the first time?

It’s always different for different people. Since Covid people have been working more and more online back and forth but for me getting in the room is always best. Whoever it is I always find it best to just get into it and start creating. Pleasantries can come later. 

If you were to look back at the young Alex, the one who was in an indie band at school, what do you think he would say?

What would he say to me? Honestly.. he’d be very surprised that I’m now making electronic music and, to be honest, I don’t think he’d think too much of that direction! But one day he’d learn that the medium doesn’t matter as long as the song and feeling is there. 

Finally having amassed more than two billion global streams, where does the goalpost move for you next, what goals would you like to achieve next?

My only goal now it to make music that I truly love. To not follow or copy trends but to make something truly original. Truly Elderbrook. 

Never Get Enough is out now.

Interview Cameron Poole