Ahead of his performance at ALISHA’s new UNLÍSH event this Sunday, we caught up with rising tech house star Chopper to chat about everything from music to his favourite takeaway meal.
Real name Henry Midgley, Chopper has been taking the tech house scene by storm as of late, with releases on WYLD, THUNDR, Box Red and Binary. As well as touring all over the UK, he’s also had stints at the epicentre of electronic music; Ibiza.
His head-turning sound features groove-laden, driving basslines which pack-a-punch on sound systems throughout the world. Matched with dynamic build ups and hard-hitting drops, his sets have become known for their electric energy dance floor.
Hey Chopper, thanks for speaking to us! Firstly, how did your journey in music begin and what is the inspiration behind the name Chopper?
Music has always been around me from a young age, my Dad was in a band as a bass guitar player, for his punk rock band, ‘NAKED’. He and my mum would always listen to music in the house, so this passion for music is something I’ve been exposed to from my roots. My first spark of interest in electronic music was hearing my sister playing drum and bass and dubstep from around the age of 14 and discovered house & techno around 18 years old and fell in love straight away.
I always wanted to make music and start Dj’ing, but this didn’t happen for me until the Pandemic of 2020 when I was locked up at home and decided to buy Ableton on my computer and start making beats. The DJ’ing followed shortly after where I regularly played at Source Bar in Maidstone learning what to play in all types of scenarios and ever since then I’ve been making tracks and DJ’ing obsessively.
The name “Chopper” has actually been my nickname since I was around 5 years old. I was named after an old Chelsea football player called “Chopper Harris” as I started playing football at this age and supported Chelsea. When I started however I didn’t have a clue how to play football and just “chopped” people down when making a tackle and the nickname “Chopper” was given to me.
Since then everyone close to me calls me “Chopper” and it stuck ever since, even my parents call me “Chop” AHAHA. When I started DJ’ing it only seemed right to call myself “Chopper”. If I had a penny for the amount of times I’ve told that story I would be a wealthy man.
You’ve become a rising star in the tech house scene of late. What would you say has been the catalyst for your success?
There’s always many reasons as to why success occurs, but I’d say my main catalyst is just my passion for what I do. I believe if your passion is high enough for something, everything else follows.
You have a tight-knit relationship with the brand and record label WYLD, having previously played their events, released on their label and recently joined the WYLD roster of artists. How did this relationship first begin?
My relationship with WYLD started at the start of 2024 when I was asked by the team to join their new artist roster/ agency “WYLD TALENT“. This came around very organically as I was sending my music to Ryan Resso and just connecting with him on a mutual level. Me and Ryan have been in contact from around the summer of 2023 and he took a liking to my music which started our relationship off.
By chance WYLD was starting their agency and I was asked to join through my connection with Ryan and him enjoying the music I was sending to him. So it was a very organic process, the right time & right place, which I think can be very important factor in a lot of scenarios in life.
I’ve loved the journey so far with the team, as everyone there is so supportive and they really care about all the artists and the brand. We’ve had some amazing memories so far this year such as sold out shows with Rossi, Pawsa and a UK Tour which was amazing, with some incredible shows lined up for ADE (Amsterdam Dance Event) and the UK winter season.
Your latest EP with Ryan Resso ‘GIVE ME PHONK’ on Box Red is a perfect example of your bouncy, groove-laced sound. Talk us through how you developed this production style and what you focus on most when making a track.
I guess my production style came around from years of listening to music, making tracks and trying to re-create them same sounds that really spark my interest. I like lots of different styles of electronic music such deep tech, deep house, tech house, breakbeats, and I would say my sound has just found its way from taking bits of everything I like and combining them together. I’ve always been obsessed with basslines and those filthy stripped back club tracks that pack a punch on a great sound system, so I have always tried to replicate that in my sound.
When making a track there are different reasons as to what directs my studio session, whether it be hearing a track in a club that inspired me, hearing a vocal or making a track for an occasion that I have in mind. I usually almost have an idea of what I want to achieve when entering the studio, sometimes this differs but having a starting point of what I want to achieve is essential for me.
I’m always digging for unique samples and vocals so if there’s any vocalists or musicians out there who want to collaborate then drop me a message.
If you had to describe the chopper sound in five words or less, what would they be?
Chunky and pumping.
You’re due to play ALISHA’s first ever UNLÍSH event at 93 Feet East on 22nd September. The fellow tech house star has been a big supporter of your music. How does it feel to be invited to perform at her brand’s debut party and what can attendees expect from your set?
I am over the moon to be playing alongside ALISHA for her first UNLÍSH event. This is a real milestone for myself and solidifies all of my hard work of the past few years as it has shown me that I am on the right path. Me and ALISHA have become good friends through music and I have a lot of respect for her, so to be able to help write the first chapter of her brand with her is very exciting. From my set you can expect to see a more exploratory side to my music as I aim to warm the event for ALISHA’s extended 5 hour set, playing those records that will get you right in the mood and building a great atmosphere, obviously with a heavy sprinkle of my own productions.
As an artist coming up in the current scene where mobile phones are ever-present, what are your thoughts on them being out in the rave?
Mobile phones in the rave for me personally are not ideal, but I understand why people have them out, to capture them moments forever. However, when the phones are away, I feel like everyone is more present and the party just seems to be so much better, speaking from a DJ and raver perspective. I feel like this issue is being addressed much better now though and our whole community is starting to understand this issue.
Brands are now endorsing no phone policies as well as people realising themselves that raving is so much better without it. I’m not anti phones though, I think they’re brilliant for capturing them moments at raves and with friends that you can watch back on in years to come and relive that moment with them or yourself. As I said though, I feel like the whole community is starting to be more aware of the phone situation and a happy medium will be on our dancefloors.
It’s 5am, you’ve got one last track to play before security stop the music, which track are you closing on?
At the moment I am loving: Therese and Stonebridge – Put Em High (JJ’s Club Mix) such a great closing track.
When you’re not busy performing, what’s your favourite takeaway order on a chilled evening?
For a chilled evening I do love a takeaway curry, always hits the spot.
Finally, whats your favourite track by another artist, that you wish you’d made?
This an almost impossible question as there are just so many great tracks out there whether it be club bombs or timeless classics, but I’m going to with a timeless record: Armand Van Helden – I want your soul. Making a track like this is just the pinnacle of producing I think and to make something like it would just be sick.
Follow Chopper on the links below:
Instagram
Spotify
Soundcloud
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