Throughout the years, Paige Cavell's voice has made a significant impact in the dance music scene. Collaborating with various prominent artists in the genre, her strong vocal lines have captured attention across diverse tracks.
As the new year approaches and with her latest single ‘Owe It All To You’ recently released, we had the opportunity to sit down with Cavell to discuss her passion for the club community, her exploration of different genres, and what is on the horizon for her.
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How are you doing?
I’m thrilled! I have a small show tonight, and my single releases on Friday. This is my first real solo performance, and it’s happening right near the Chelsea football stadium – I’ve been a fan since childhood, so it feels surreal; I’m just really excited. The entire performance is quite minimal – we wanted to present a different take on the tracks, and I find something incredibly beautiful about an acoustic set, so I can’t wait.
What’s it like to have the record out?
Surprisingly, it’s been about a year since I wrote it, which feels unreal. I remember being in a really bad mood during the session – we had received some unfortunate news about a family member's health, and it hit me hard. I didn’t want to walk into the room feeling so down, but that’s actually how the title came about – just before we started I jotted down ‘I owe it all to you.’ Despite my awful mood, I aimed to write something meaningful, and it flowed out really naturally.
It’s a deeply meaningful song, which I always strive for. I tell everyone I work with that I will never release a song that lacks meaning. What I create needs to come from a genuine place within me, especially as a singer, because emotion is so easily conveyed through voice.
How did you begin your musical journey?
I got into jazz and soul from a young age, and that’s where it all started for me. I listened to all the classics like Amy Winehouse, James Brown, and Prince… they taught me about music. As I grew up, I explored different genres and evolved.
In terms of my career, I began in the pop realm – starting with a label just singing, but when that didn’t feel right, I moved more towards writing. After a few years, I received a request for a drum and bass topline during the height of lockdown, which was a really tough time for everyone. However, once I received the brief, I quickly recorded an idea and sent it off. Shortly after, a DJ reached out wanting to release it, and that’s how it all began.
What was the transition from pop to electronic music like?
It was really enjoyable! I loved it right away. Even in my earlier pop work, there were definitely some dance elements bubbling beneath the surface, and once I delved into it, I realized how much the scene resonated with me. I faced some anxiety about going out while I was younger, but I’ve always found the dance community to be incredibly welcoming. It truly is a community where judgment doesn’t exist. I fell in love with that aspect because everyone is free to be themselves.
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How do you feel about the collaboration aspect of your work?
When I was focusing on pop, I mostly worked alone. Collaboration isn’t as common in that genre. However, when I moved into my first dance session, which resulted in ‘Tears’, my collaboration with John Summit, I loved having people to work with. Especially with John, he’s always been so welcoming and collaborative. He ensures that everyone involved feels heard and respected, which is really special. The industry can be tough, and I believe that collaboration and supporting each other is essential.
Is there a standout collaboration you’ve done that you remember fondly?
For me, it has to be the collaboration with John Summit – it launched my entire journey into the dance world, so I owe a lot to that record in many ways. It’s a personal highlight for me. I had just gone through a rough breakup and was in a dark place while writing it, so to go from that to performing the track at The Forum and the Grammy Museum with him means so much on so many levels.
Among all my collaborations, John and I have developed the closest relationship. It grew through touring together – we’ve built a strong bond. The response to that track has been incredible too; when we went to Amsterdam, many people approached us to share how the song helped them through tough times in their lives. That truly resonated with me since it aided me during my darkest moments as well. Connecting with people in this way is the most special aspect of what I do.
The sharing of music is incredibly meaningful – once we release it, it becomes part of whoever listens to it. I hope when people hear the single, they think of someone special in their lives, whether it’s a friend or family member
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Throughout the years, Paige Cavell's voice has been omnipresent in the realm of dance music. By collaborating with various leading figures in the genre, her vocals have been impactful.