Interview with CASH ONLY

Emerging as a standout artist in the current electronic scene, CASH ONLY blends driving House rhythms with Afro-influenced sounds, while honouring his UK Garage and Jungle roots. His releases have earned three top tens and an overall top twenty on Traxsource, with nearly 1,000,000 Spotify streams in the last 12 months. With a string of global bookings, his DJ calendar continues to thrive, electrifying dancefloors with his dynamic selection and unique style. As Label Manager and resident for Sam Divine's Dvine Sounds, CASH ONLY has extended his position towards the forefront of the scene, further launching his own label, Famous When Dead Records. 2025 is set to be his biggest year yet, confirming CASH ONLY as a name you won’t forget.

We had the opportunity to interview him about his musical journey, the creation of his new record label and the advice he would give to upcoming producers. Here's how it went:

How would you describe your sound to someone who's recently found your music?

"Since I've been back in the studio over the last 2 years, I'd say my sound has been quite experimental taking influence from across a variety of genres predominantly my UK Garage Roots.

Now that I'm settling into a groove, you will find a lot more Afro inspired House coming from me this year, although there are a few exciting collabs also coming that allow me to explore my creativity across over genres. 

You will find that almost all the music I've released since 2022 have all been full vocal tracks, songs that can cross over from the club into radio and daytime listening."

Can you talk us through your typical process when creating a new track? What are your main influences?

"As a DJ, it's important for me that we go on a journey and because my musical knowledge is quite diverse my sets tend to end up being that way too. Therefore when in the Studio, I'll often start with a reference from a track that is really working in my sets and try to create something that resembles that.

I mostly work in writing camps, assembling the best Engineers, Song Writers and Vocalists working as a team to create the best possible outcome always looking for that magic moment that makes the track sound special."

2025 has already shaped up to be an eventful year for you, with the creation of your label 'Famous When Dead Records'. What was the motivation behind starting this label?

"I predominantly set this label up as a mechanism to self release but then found myself with tracks signed for the first part of the year to other labels including King Street Sounds, Superstore (Jess Bay’s Label) and Nervous Records. Luckily, I had found a few gems that were unreleased and kicked things off using these for the first 3 releases on the label.

From April, you will start to see a lot more from me on my own label. I think it's important that Artists release on their own imprint especially if you believe in a track and want to retain control of your own release schedule and most importantly creative direction and promotion."

What was the inspiration behind the name of FWDR?

"Famous When Dead is a abstract artist that I've known for 15 years he actually designed the Cash Only Logo when I first launched the project in 2012! I called him up one day and said I thought it was an amazing name for a label and would allow us to explore our creativity across what we could do in music and visual arts.

I also think the name is quite poignant as many artists nowadays are chasing fame and success far too hard in an ultra competitive space. It's a bit of a tongue in cheek message that let's all just relax, we will probably all be famous when we are dead anyway, hopefully for the right reasons!"

With the launch of your own club night, are you aiming to roll out any more events, potentially at a larger scale with festivals?

"I'm excited to launch my new night this year, there's plenty of discussions at the moment about when and where to start as its important to get things right after taking a 20 year break from promoting events.

I really want to explore the way we digest arts and music with this new platform so expect not only a well programmed line up but some amazing visuals to accompany the sounds."

You've already released some amazing tracks from the likes of Syncia and the new release from Konstantin Kobra, which other artists can we expect to see releases from under the label?

"As mentioned, you will start to see a steady stream from myself over the summer but there are some collabs and remixes from artists that I respect and rate as producers including Patrick Meeks, Matt Gillespie, Jon Buccieri, Jewel Kid, Christiano Fry and Jordan Peak, to name a few."

What’s your take on the current state of the dance music industry?

"I think it's more challenging than ever with fewer clubs and more and more ways that people consume music, its also so easy to access music that it almost feels that everything has less of a value than it did when you had to work really hard to find the next “Banger”.

It's sad that the smaller more intimate venues are closing as they are always my favourite places to play but i think we are just going through another evolution in the dance music cycle."

What advice would you give to up-and-coming producers/DJs?

"Stay consistent, be patient, things don't happen over night. Be prepared for rejection and if you believe in what you are doing then keep doing it, don't just do it because you want to be the next James Hype, do it because you love music and how it makes you feel."