In an era of disposable digital singles and algorithmic trends, the UK producer and DJ known as CHANEY has carved out a unique space for himself in the house music landscape. Behind the moniker is Theo Altieri, a Swindon-native whose musical journey didn’t start in the rave but rather with a guitar, a drum kit, and the classic singer-songwriter ambition. This deeply ingrained background in songwriting is the very foundation that allows CHANEY’s tracks—described as a fusion of disco, deep house, and the “Great British Rave” sound—to possess a distinctive musicality and emotional weight often missing from contemporary club music.
The Singer-Songwriter Foundation (Pre-2018)
Theo Altieri’s musical life began remarkably early. As a child, he was touring local pubs in Swindon, first on the drums alongside his older brother, and later, after being “forced to go solo,” picking up the guitar and becoming a prolific writer. This phase was crucial, honing his understanding of melody, song structure, and lyricism—skills that would later become his secret weapon in the world of four-to-the-floor house.
By the time he was a teenager, this talent was recognized by the industry: Altieri signed a publishing deal with Warner Chappell before the age of 18. While operating as a solo artist, he garnered support from BBC Introducing and was even shortlisted for the prestigious Glastonbury Emerging Talent competition. His focus was on creating “stripped back songs,” but the technical production side—initially learning on an early version of Logic in his parents’ basement—was already beginning to take hold.
The Conversion: From Acoustic to Acid House
The pivot point in Altieri’s career, and the birth of the CHANEY project, came around his 18th birthday. As he started frequenting university nights and experiencing the club format, a new world of music opened up. Two major influences cemented this transition:
- Club Culture: The realization that the dancefloor demanded a different kind of composition, moving his focus away from his solo acoustic sets and towards production.
- Primal Scream’s Screamadelica: A “serendipitous encounter” with this seminal album demonstrated how his melodic sensibilities could be fused with the spirit of the UK rave, providing the blueprint for his signature sound.
He stopped going out as “Theo Altieri” and channelled his strongest assets—songwriting and production—into the new identity: CHANEY.
The Swindon-Obsession Era and Skint Records Breakthrough (2018–2020)
Unlike many London-centric producers, CHANEY openly roots his early work in his hometown of Swindon, a location he cheekily calls the “least aspirational place in the world.” This small-town claustrophobia and the surreal nature of the local nightlife became the backdrop for his sound, offering a relatable, witty commentary seldom seen since the days of The Streets.
This concept led to his breakout movement:
- #SaveSwindon: What started as an ironic rave night in his local pub, a playful jab at the famous ‘Save Fabric’ campaign, quickly gained traction, attracting “old school ravers” and solidifying his blend of acid house and UK rave nostalgia. This became his mission statement: a clarion call to his hometown.
- ’39 Times (Confrontation)’: Released on the legendary Skint Records (home of Fatboy Slim), this track became the definitive turning point. It garnered immediate and massive tastemaker support from BBC Radio 1 heavyweights like Annie Mac, Patrick Topping, and Jamie Jones. The widespread play cemented CHANEY as a serious UK producer with genuine underground credentials.
Ascending the Ranks: Collaborations and Global Reach (2021–Present)
With the support of major labels like Skint, Toolroom, Insomniac, Armada, and D4 D4NCE (Defected), CHANEY’s output exploded, establishing his presence in the international house and tech-house scene.
Key Musical Characteristics:
- Nostalgic, yet Modern: He cites his main influences as disco, deep house, and early 2000s house (like Jamiroquai, Blaze, and Junior Jack). This results in tracks built on deep, swinging basslines, funky guitar riffs, and soaring, gospel-infused vocal samples.
- The Power of Live Instrumentation: Crucially, he retains his skills as a multi-instrumentalist, incorporating live guitar and bass recordings into his digital productions, adding warmth and a human element often lost in purely synthetic house tracks.
- Vocal-Driven House: Leveraging his songwriting background, he excels at working with collaborators to create impactful hooks, such as on tracks like “Love Again” (ft. Nu-La) and the massive “Lose My Number” (with Candi Staton), which showcase his ability to craft radio-ready tracks that still smash a club sound system. He is an in-demand remixer, with credits for artists including David Guetta, Joel Corry, and Kaskade.
- Building on this catalogue of well-received releases, CHANEY launched what was described as a key summer anthem for 2024 with the single “I Choose You,” released via Toolroom Records. The track serves as a superb distillation of his production philosophy: a groove-led house record built entirely from original elements, featuring a distinctive, poignant vocal layered over a self-played bassline and lush Rhodes chords. Designed for “sun drenched terraces” and Ibiza pool parties, its infectious, feel-good vibe quickly garnered radio and club support, proving that his deep musical roots can successfully translate into major dancefloor moments.
- Building on this catalogue of well-received releases, CHANEY launched what was described as a key summer anthem for 2024 with the single “I Choose You,” released via Toolroom Records. The track serves as a superb distillation of his production philosophy: a groove-led house record built entirely from original elements, featuring a distinctive, poignant vocal layered over a self-played bassline and lush Rhodes chords. Designed for “sun drenched terraces” and Ibiza pool parties, its infectious, feel-good vibe quickly garnered radio and club support, proving that his deep musical roots can successfully translate into major dancefloor moments. (For a detailed look at this standout record, including our take on the arrangement and its summer anthem potential, check out the full single review of “I Choose You” in our Singles Section.)
As a DJ, his reputation has grown in tandem with his production success. He has taken his eclectic sets—which flawlessly fuse disco, rave, and tech house—to renowned international stages, including EDC Las Vegas, Nocturnal Wonderland, Studio 338, and W Barcelona.
The New Chapter: Chaned To The Rhythm
In an ambitious move that reinforces his commitment to his distinct sound, CHANEY recently launched his own independent imprint: Chaned To The Rhythm (a clever play on his own name). This label acts as a filter for his highest-energy, most authentic club music, free from the constraints of traditional label A&R.
The debut release, the Fixed For Love EP, perfectly encapsulates the label’s mission, featuring a title track that dips into a Big Beat-inspired sound built around a Northern Soul sample, fused with banging 909 drums—a testament to his fusion of ’90s nostalgia and modern house production.
CHANEY is not just a producer; he is a fully-formed musician who understands the power of a great song, whether it’s delivered with an acoustic guitar or a Roland 909 drum machine. His journey from a pub-gigging teenager to a respected global DJ, all while maintaining a witty, relatable voice from the UK’s suburbs, makes him one of the most exciting and authentic talents to champion in modern dance music.
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