Chris Lake — a Scottish DJ, producer, and label owner, one of the most influential figures on the modern house music scene. His work spans house, tech house, progressive house, and funky house. With performances at the world’s biggest festivals, he has become a symbol of the new wave of dance music. His real name is Chris Lake, and he was born on August 8, 1982 in Aberdeen, Scotland. From an early age, he showed a strong passion for music.
Early Life and Beginnings
Chris began his musical education at the age of 10, learning keyboards and piano. Growing up in a musical environment, his parents encouraged creativity, and young Chris soon became fascinated by electronic sound. As a teenager, he was inspired by artists like Daft Punk, The Prodigy, and The Chemical Brothers. After the family moved to Ireland and later returned to Scotland, Chris began experimenting with samples and sequencers on home computers.
In the late 1990s and early 2000s, Lake started recording his first remixes and original tracks, gaining local recognition in clubs and pirate radio. His early remixes of "Climbatize" by The Prodigy, "Phat Planet" by Leftfield, and "Sweet Dreams" by Eurythmics drew the attention of industry professionals.
Breakthrough: “Changes” and Early Success
Chris Lake’s international breakthrough came in 2006 with the single "Changes", recorded with vocalist Laura V. The song charted in the UK, Australia, and the US, becoming a defining progressive house anthem of the mid-2000s. Following the success of "Changes", Chris signed with Rising Music and began touring extensively.
Subsequent hits like "Carry Me Away" (featuring Emma Hewitt), "Only One", and "If You Knew" cemented his reputation as a melodic producer with an ear for emotional, dancefloor-friendly tracks. His music gained frequent airplay on BBC Radio 1, and his name became synonymous with quality house music.
Evolution of Sound and Collaborations
In the late 2000s, Lake began shifting from pure progressive house to a more groove-driven, minimal tech-house sound. During this period, he collaborated with artists such as Deadmau5, Calvin Harris, Steve Aoki, and Chris Lorenzo.
Chris released numerous remixes, including versions for Lady Gaga ("Paparazzi"), Kylie Minogue ("The One"), Jessie J ("Who You Are"), and Mark Ronson ("Uptown Funk"), as well as an official remix of Deadmau5’s “I Said.”
Founding Black Book Records
In 2017, Lake launched his own label, Black Book Records, which became a hub for top-tier tech house releases. Under this brand, he released some of his biggest hits, including “Operator (Ring Ring)”, “Turn Off the Lights”, “Deceiver” (with Green Velvet), “In the Yuma”, and “Beggin’”. The label also nurtures rising stars such as Martin Ikin, Cloonee, VNSSA, and HoneyLuv.
Black Book Records has become synonymous with high-quality house sound and one of the most influential independent labels in electronic music. Its releases regularly top Beatport charts and dominate festival playlists.
Projects: Anti Up and Under Construction
In 2017, Chris Lake teamed up with Chris Lorenzo to form the duo Anti Up, focused on bass-heavy club music with techno elements. Popular tracks include "Right Now", "Concentrate", and "Let’s Go Dancing".
Later, he joined forces with Australian DJ FISHER as Under Construction, performing joint live sets at major festivals such as Coachella, EDC Las Vegas, and Ultra Miami. Their performances combine tech house, funk house, and humor, creating full-scale performance shows.
Modern Era (2020–2025)
In the 2020s, Chris Lake became one of the most in-demand DJs worldwide. He is a regular at major festivals like Tomorrowland, EDC, Coachella, Creamfields, Escape, and Day Trip. His sets are known for live energy, signature transitions, crowd interaction, and dynamic storytelling.
Between 2023 and 2024, he released a string of successful tracks: “Beggin’” (with Aluna), “Dance With Me”, “More Baby” (with Green Velvet), “Lose My Mind”, and “400” — all supported by top names such as Carl Cox, Claptone, Solardo, Jamie Jones, John Summit, and MK.
In 2025, Lake continues touring with his global “Black Book Experience”, performing across the US, Europe, Latin America, and Asia, featuring both classic hits and exclusive unreleased tracks.
Style and Influence
Chris Lake’s music blends groovy basslines, atmospheric vocals, minimalistic rhythms, and signature drops — balancing underground credibility with mainstream appeal. He’s recognized as a key figure in reviving tech house in the 2010s and 2020s, inspiring a new generation of DJs and producers.
He supports emerging artists, curates branded Black Book Records Showcases, and partners with major venues from Ushuaïa Ibiza to Brooklyn Mirage.
Achievements
- Grammy Award winner and nominee for remixes and production.
- Hits like “Changes”, “Operator”, “Turn Off the Lights”, and “Deceiver” topped Beatport and Billboard Dance charts.
- Featured in soundtracks, BBC Radio 1 Essential Mixes, and major global festivals.
- Founder of the successful independent label Black Book Records.
Personal Life and Philosophy
Chris Lake leads an active lifestyle, balancing touring and production. Known for humility and attention to detail, he strives for quality in every aspect — from sound to stage visuals. In interviews, he often emphasizes the balance between creativity and commerce, viewing music as a unifying force.
Legacy
Chris Lake is more than a DJ — he’s an architect of modern tech house, a producer with impeccable rhythm and melody, and a mentor for new talent. His influence spans from timeless club anthems to shaping the next generation of electronic artists. With passion and innovation, he remains one of the most impactful figures in global dance music.
