Features

Christian Burns

Outside of Electronic Indie-outfit The Bleach Works, one sensational vocalist has proven that expansion across the unforgiving music industry doesn’t have to be a double-edged sword in the 21^st century. Whilst maintaining his Indie roots, a Wigan based singer has reached millions with his emotive and diverse harmonies alongside some of Dance music’s most profound producers. It started with a fated offer from Tiesto, but along with his Grammy-nominated work alongside BT and a breathtaking world tour alongside Armin Van Buuren, Christian Burns can’t help but sing when he is winning.

Developing his musical capacity many miles from the exciting world of Electronic Dance Music, Christian’s plunge into the depths of this euphoric and uplifting genre came at the deepest end imaginable. Outside of his electronic-tinged rock outfit ‘Inhaler’, the Wigan based vocalist remained unaware of his melodious mainstream potential until he was approached by Dutch Trance idol Tiesto in 2006. Reflecting on this exciting first venture that would be his inauguration into Dace music, Burns explained: ‘Working with Tiesto was my first venture into dance music, as before then I was doing mostly rock music at the time with my band ‘Inhaler’. He approached me and asked if we could do a song together and at the time I didn’t know what it was going to turn out like, but I remember really enjoying the whole process of writing the track, it felt so natural for me. The song was a huge hit and since then I have not looked back.’

Kicking off this stirring musical adjustment with incredible force, it was not long before the taste for Burn’s Diverse and emotional vocal stylings spread across the globe. Continuing the sensational winning streak courtesy of ‘In The Dark’, as well as further offerings alongside Armin Van Buuren, House sensation Benny Benassi and the world-renowned Andy Durrant, the British vocalist was summoned to work with the Maryland maverick of emotive Electronic music, BT (a.k.a Brian Transeau), for two tracks on his Grammy-nominated album ‘These Hopefull Machines’. Through a chance meeting at a concert in Budapest, the pair learnt of their similar taste in electronic music and deciding that the prospect of their collaboration could not be ignored, the duo mustered three offerings for the Brian’s full-length in 2010, including current single ‘The Emergency’. Burns explained: ‘Upon meeting Brian we met we discovered that we had very similar likes when it came to music and decided to write together. I co-wrote three tracks tracks for ‘These Hopeful Machines’ and I am very proud to have been a part of the record. I remember telling him on the telephone after I listened to the finished album for the first time that he would be nominated for a Grammy, I was absolutely blown away with his skills and you can definitely expect more collaboration between the two of us.’

Following on from this momentous collaboration, 2010 would also see Burns don his distinctive voice once again to superstar global DJ and producer Armin Van Buuren for the release ‘This Light Between Us’ from his sensational Mirage album. Taking to the road alongside the likes of Nadia Ali and Armin himself for the ‘Armin Only’ Tour over December of 2010, Burns was given the ideal opportunity to perform yet another global Dance hit that the British singer is proud to call his own to the masses. ‘It is fantastic being part of the “Armin Only” tour, everyone on the tour has made me feel very welcome and all the other performers in the show are very supportive of each other. The tour is massive, Armin has the crowd eating out of his hand for the whole time he is playing and the atmosphere is electric at EVERY show,’ he explained, adding: ‘Most of the crew are Dutch so I am brushing up on my Dutch too!’

It is opportunities such as the ‘Armin Only’ Tour that have left Burns elated by this incredible addition to his musical portfolio. Whilst still dedicating to his own unique outfit The Bleach Works, the opportunity to reach so many people on a global scale remains a favourite aspect of Burn’s blazing career upon the EDM circuit. He explained: ‘When I walk on to the stage and hear 60,000 people singing a song back to me that I wrote it gives me serious goose bumps every time and it is a feeling that will never grow old. There have been times on tour when I have been stranded in a country alone because of bad flights, but to be honest its a small price to pay for this incredible thrill. I love touring and tours like the ‘Armin Only’ tour make me feel incredibly lucky!’

As Burn’s name continues to rise at the forefront of global Dance music, his love for this aspect of his promising career has continued to flourish thanks to these unforgettable opportunities that have given birth to some of the industries most sought after Electronic anthems. ‘The feeling that these songs give you when you hear them is a huge part of why I continue to be involved in this style of music. They are so euphoric and that feeling they give you is addictive, both as a listener AND as a writer and I can safely say that I am hooked’.

Having hit all the right notes in 2010 alongside BT and Armin Van Buuren, the undeniably divine vocalist promises a monstrous year of uplifting music and impressive releases as he continues to forge his name as the penultimate male voice of Electronic Dance Music alongside the industry’s most sought after figures; some new friends, some older. ‘Next year is shaping up to be a MONSTER!’ he explained. ‘I have Loads more live dates with Armin and some solo shows, as well as some exciting new tracks with Armin, Tiesto, Paul Van Dyk and BT, as well as Jason Herd and Glen Morrison. I am also going to be releasing something very special, but I cant say anything else about it just yet, but I am SUPER excited and it will be worth the wait!’

Whilst keeping his work with The Bleach Works on a promising upwards spiral, it is evident that as the worlds taste for his prominent vocal style and poetic way with the emotional diction that every huge Dance anthem begs continues to grow, Burn’s love for the world of Dance music has developed into an outright musical passion; one that continues to reflect in the outstanding offerings associated with the essential voice of global Dance music. Where passion within music blazes all frail competition, Christian Burns will stay true to his name and continue to light the way for anyone truly passionate about Dance music. It is winning streaks like these that keep the victorious singing and in turn, touching the masses with a vital harmony of talent and success within the industry.