CALVIN HARRIS - THIS IS WHAT YOU CAME FOR By KYLE LEVY
Suppose it was said that one of the most influential figures in modern electronic music was born, Adam Richard Wiles, in the windy, blustery relative wilderness of Dumfries, off the west coast of Scotland. In that case, a global superstar would unlikely instantly come to mind.
More clues are that his journey to global stardom began humbly when he started creating music in his bedroom, drawing inspiration from the 1980s synth-pop and electro-funk sounds he grew up listening to.
In 2007, he released his debut album, I Created Disco, which catapulted him into the limelight with hits like Acceptable in the 80s and The Girls.
Within a few more years, the now-renamed Calvin Harris was hobnobbing with the elite, dating Taylor Swift, and perfecting a sound that was to transform not just the music of the day but the modern-day image of the music producer, collaborating as he has with everyone from Rihanna to Ellie Goulding, Florence Welch to Dua Lipa, Pharrell Williams to The Weeknd.
In 2024, the 40-year-old's impressive body of work has earned him countless accolades, including Grammys, Brit Awards, and multiple Billboard Hot 100 chart-topping honors.
In addition to his success as a producer and DJ, Harris is known for his dynamic live performances, headlining festivals worldwide, and maintaining residencies in Las Vegas.
STRIPLV: You've come to one of the most recognizable names in your field from your bedroom making music; how surreal is that? HARRIS: It's mad, really. I started out with just a computer and some basic equipment in my bedroom, just messing around with sounds. To think that I've gone from that to playing huge festivals and working with artists I grew up listening to is surreal. For me it's important to present that belief and that potential to the next generation. I'm not ready to give this up yet, but when I do it's good to think I am equipping others with the tools and the confidence to think that whatever they set out to take on they can actually achieve. STRIPLV: You come from very rural and humble beginnings, so how has music changed you? HARRIS: I'm still the same guy who loves making music, and I never take it for granted. Scotland is still my home in every meaningful sense. Growing up there is what made me this person, and although you would look at the wilds of Dumfries and wonder how that environment possibly inspired the brand of party music that I put out, but I think a lot of what inspired back then was the escapism. If I was going to be making music that reflected my surroundings it would be indie or folk. The fact I was rebelling against where I grew up meant that playing dance and pop music and thinking about clubs and parties was, in a way, a type of fantasy escapism that I was expressing through music. Perhaps if I'd grown up in a capital city or a big party atmosphere, I wouldn't have felt the need to make that music because I would have been one of those people going out and consuming it. So, for that reason, I would never think my upbringing and my environment was anything other than totally relevant to who I became and what I went on to do. Despite that, I do feel like I've been incredibly lucky to turn a passion into a career. It's been a crazy journey, but I'm always just focused on what's next and what new sound I can create. STRIPLV: Who were your favorite artists growing up? HARRIS: I was massively influenced by a lot of different genres. I loved listening to Fatboy Slim, Daft Punk, and The Chemical Brothers; they shaped the way I thought about electronic music. But I also love 80s synth-pop like Depeche Mode and New Order. It was that mix of electronic beats and pop melodies that really drew me in. The whole house music scene also grabbed my attention, especially artists like Frankie Knuckles and others from the US who were the early pioneers of dance music going right back to the mid-80s with the likes of Chicago House and Detroit Techno. Ultimately, I was always fascinated by how music could make you feel something so powerful and immediate. STRIPLV: You've collaborated with some unbelievable artists. Do you have to pinch yourself, or is it all fairly normal to you now? HARRIS: Honestly, there are still moments where I'm like, "Wow, I'm really working with this person!" When I started out, collaborating with artists like Rihanna or Pharrell felt like a distant dream. But over time, I've gotten more comfortable with it. That said, every new collaboration brings its own excitement and creative energy. As I say, it's never something I take for granted. I just love working with talented people who push me in different directions. It's always inspiring to be in a room with someone who brings something fresh to the table. STRIPLV: How much do you speak to them once the recording is over? HARRIS: It depends, really. Sometimes, we stay in touch and continue bouncing ideas off each other, but other times, it's more of a "we've done the track, let's move on" kind of vibe. It's always different with each artist. Some collaborations turn into friendships, and you'll chat regularly, but with others, it's more of a professional connection. I don't always need to keep in touch, but it's great when you do because you never know when you'll want to collaborate again. It's a pretty organic thing in this business. STRIPLV: You're no stranger to Las Vegas clubs having had residencies, and you'll be playing LIV in December. What do you like about the Vegas atmosphere and crowds, and what makes it so unique for you to play there? HARRIS: Vegas is its own world, really. The energy is always electric and the crowds come ready to party. There's something about the atmosphere there; people are in a celebratory mood, and the clubs are just on another level. I've had residencies there for years and it's always special to play in that environment. The production in those clubs is insane and it allows me to bring my music to life in a big way. It's intense, but that's what makes it fun. Vegas crowds never disappoint. STRIPLV: Do you still feel pressure playing live? HARRIS: In terms of my set and my mixes, no. The pressure I feel is to make sure the crowd has a good time and gets their money's worth. That's a pressure I take on as a DJ, but it's shared with everyone from the venue to the door staff, right down to the price of drinks. If any of these elements are out, then it can ruin the night, so I've always felt that it is something of a joint vocation where the people hosting nights and those attending the nights are all in it together. There is no 'them and us' as far as I'm concerned, we all want the thing to go off as it should. STRIPLV: You married your partner, Vick Hope, in the UK in 2023, a BBC Radio DJ. Does that give you an advantage when you want your songs played? HARRIS: Haha, I wish it worked like that! No, unfortunately, I don't get any special treatment. If anything, Vick's way too professional to give me an easy pass. She's likelier to tell me off for trying to sneak my track in! That said, it's amazing to have someone who understands the industry and is as passionate about music as I am. We keep things pretty separate when it comes to work, though. We are busy enough with our own stuff, so time together needs to be spent thinking about and talking about things other than music! STRIPLV: You're notoriously busy always; when will you ever slow down? HARRIS: It's a good question! I don't think I know how to slow down, to be honest. I love being busy. It's when I feel most alive. Whether I'm producing, DJing, or working on something completely different, I thrive on staying active. I do try to take breaks when I can and focus on spending time with Vick and friends. I don't see myself stopping anytime soon, though. There's always more music to make and more projects to explore, and I just enjoy it too much to hit pause right now. STRIPLV: Are you not worried about burnout? HARRIS: It does happen and I think there is a risk of that. You see people, particularly across dance music, go through phases where they need to sit back. For me, the speed of evolution of the industry is something that keeps my interest going. If what I was doing was on repetition all the time I think I would need to step back and relax, but for as long as it keeps changing and reinventing itself, I am happy. STRIPLV: Having done so much, is there anything left for you to achieve? HARRIS: There's always more to achieve, for sure. I don't think I'll ever feel like I've done it all. I'm constantly looking for fresh challenges. STRIPLV: Perhaps what keeps you fresh is the fact, famously, you haven't drunk alcohol since 2008. How did that come about and was there a problem you were trying to get away from? HARRIS: It was a personal choice and honestly, it hasn't been as difficult as people might think. Once I made the decision, I stuck with it, and it worked for me. The party atmosphere is all around, sure, but I'm there for the music and the energy, not the drinking. I never really had a problem with it. I just didn't think it was benefiting my output in any way. I couldn't see a real upside to it, but I could certainly do without the negative elements of drinking. STRIPLV: You always make it a priority to look after yourself, right? HARRIS: Of course, it's essential. Not drinking helps me stay focused, especially when I'm performing or producing. It can be intense, but I've learned to navigate it over the years. I still have a great time, but I don't need alcohol to enjoy the moment or do what I love.
THIS IS WHAT YOU CAME FOR
He is a globally renowned DJ known for keeping himself to himself, albeit nuggets of information have emerged over the years.
Calvin Harris's real name is Adam Richard Wiles. The DJ chose his stage title because he thought it sounded racially ambiguous; a decision he hoped would help his music cross boundaries.
With a career defined by self-made success, it's no surprise that Harris is a self-taught musician. He didn't attend music school or take formal lessons, making his rise to global stardom all the more impressive.
Before becoming a world-renowned artist, the 40-year-old worked at a supermarket in Scotland. He recorded some of his earliest tracks at night, having completed day shifts and stacking shelves – proof that humble beginnings don't define where you end up.
Indeed, his early studio setup (in his bedroom) was equally DIY – he was notorious for using cheap equipment and upcycling bits of kit.
The Brit also knows when to step back from the spotlight. He's taken multiple breaks from social media, sometimes wiping his accounts to reset and recharge.
Adding to his surprising quirks, Harris has recently switched to a vegan lifestyle, is vocal about the benefits of a plant-based diet, and is rumored to have a secret passion for baking.