Many aspiring singers take to YouTube in the modern day to showcase their talents in the hope that they will be noticed, and for the new electronic duo AKARI PROJECT this is exactly what happened. Starting in their bedrooms together as school teen friends, Millie and Luke, both 17, thought they’d never get further then amateur videos posted onto their account, little did they know in a couple of weeks’ time they were going to be tracked down by progressive-house music produced and performer Deadmau5, following with a possible management deal by Roc Nations Three Six Zero. The Leicester duo came in for their first exclusive interview to talk about their upcoming album “Nothing to Do with Relaxation” and the tour that’s going to change everything.

So, explain to us the moment you received contact from Mr Joel Zimmerman AKA Deadmau5?M: It was surreal. At first we thought it was a joke, one of those fake emails you get from con websites. We received it on our joined email for Akari Projects YouTube page so most of the messages we get aren’t read, but I am sure glad we read this one! Luke was the one who opened it, I knew something was odd because he simply went silent and handed over the laptop, and he’s never silent!L: Yeah, it’s a moment I can still feel so strongly, I couldn’t believe what I was reading. An email from Deadmau5 to say he’s been watching our videos over the past couple of months and would be interested in having a chat and seeing if he could help us out. After reading we must have sat there for at least 15 minutes in silence. I still can’t believe it now! How did we, two 17 year olds from Leicester, get ourselves noticed by Deadmau5 himself? Amazing.Where did it go from the first email to now?M: Everything’s been so rushed and exciting I’m still trying to take it all in. We emailed back straight away attempting to be professional, but it was so clear the shock we were feeling even through a message. After that several more emails were passed back and forth which eventually ended up with us having to create a set of 10 pieces followed by meeting him in Three Six Zero Groups London Office. Yes, Roc Nations Three Six Zero Group! We played out set in front of Joel and several other important looking men, and were amazed with the response. It’s all a blur!L: It all followed quickly after playing in the London Office, with several meetings with both Joel and the ‘important looking men’ that we later were asked to sign with. It seemed to be the busiest two months of our lives but looking now, it was probably the easiest part.

Your first album “Nothing to Do with Relaxation” comes out in the upcoming weeks ahead; do you feel as if it’s completed?M: We are currently going through final checks and adjustments and the set date for release is being finalised this week. The aim is to get it out by the end of the month, and if all the finishing touches go to plan, this should easily happen. Being our first album we’ve been very nervous and have been getting into the studio as much as possible to go over each track multiple times perfecting them one by one.L: I feel the album is just about ready to be classed as ‘finished’ but I’m a perfectionist so knowing this album could be our make or break into the world of house music makes me even worse. We’ve spent as much time as we can in the studio making sure every little sound is perfect. I feel honoured to be under the same management as the likes of Deadmau5, Calvin Harris and Nero so I really want this album to make our name proud as express our background and talent we have to be alongside these amazing artists. As well as your album, we understand you’re following Deadmau5 on his tour dates to showcase some of the new songs?M: Yes, we are! We’re going to be performing alongside the likes of Armin Van Buuren, Porter Robison, Chase and Status and obviously Joel/Deadmau5 from 25th February until the 13th of March, for the Future Music Festival. It’s going to be our chance to show of the new songs, work alongside some of the best artists out there and really show off who we are as a group. I cannot wait!L: We are going to several different places for the Future Music Festival including many parts of Australia such as RNA Showgrounds, Arena Joondalup and Royal Randwick Racecourse. Having never been to Australia I cannot wait to go there, let alone knowing I’ll be performing at such a large festival with so many amazing and talented artists.

“I couldn’t believe what I was reading”