E118 - Chase & Status: How to harness the power of obsession

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# "Chase & Status: The Art of Obsession and High Performance"

**Summary**

In this episode of the High-Performance Podcast, host Jay Comfrey engages in a captivating conversation with Will Kennard and Saul Milton, the renowned electronic music duo Chase & Status. The discussion delves into the duo's journey to success, their unwavering passion for music, and the concept of obsession as a driving force in their artistic pursuits.

**Key Points**

* **Obsession as a Creative Catalyst:** Will and Saul candidly share how their intense obsession with music, bordering on a "sickness," fueled their determination to succeed as artists. This obsession became a positive force, leading them to relentlessly pursue their goals and achieve remarkable accomplishments.

* **Nurturing Passion:** The duo emphasizes the importance of nurturing passion and turning it into a viable career. They recount the challenges they faced in the early days, including working odd jobs to support themselves while dedicating countless hours to honing their craft.

* **Strategic Planning:** Will and Saul reveal their strategic approach to breaking into the music industry. They explain how they meticulously studied the career paths of successful artists, identified key players in the industry, and built relationships with individuals who could help them advance their goals.

* **Overcoming Rejection and Doubt:** The conversation highlights the duo's resilience in the face of rejection and self-doubt. They acknowledge the numerous setbacks they encountered along the way, including moments when they questioned their abilities and considered giving up. However, their unwavering belief in themselves and their unwavering determination kept them moving forward.

* **The Pressure of Success:** Will and Saul candidly discuss the pressures that came with achieving success. They reveal how the expectations and demands of the music industry sometimes led to creative struggles and internal conflict. They emphasize the importance of finding a balance between maintaining artistic integrity and meeting commercial demands.

* **The Evolution of Their Sound:** Chase & Status reflect on the evolution of their musical style over the years. They explain how they constantly pushed themselves to explore new genres and incorporate diverse influences into their music, resulting in a unique and ever-evolving sound that resonated with audiences worldwide.

* **The Power of Collaboration:** The duo credits collaboration as a significant factor in their success. They discuss the value of working with other artists, producers, and musicians, highlighting how these collaborations brought fresh perspectives and helped them create innovative and groundbreaking music.

* **The Importance of Live Performances:** Will and Saul emphasize the significance of live performances in their career. They describe the electrifying energy of connecting with fans in a live setting and the role that these performances played in building a loyal and dedicated fan base.

**Overall Message**

Chase & Status' journey serves as an inspiring example of how passion, obsession, and unwavering determination can lead to extraordinary achievements. Their story highlights the importance of embracing challenges, nurturing creativity, and constantly pushing boundaries to achieve high performance in any field.

# Podcast Episode Summary: "Chase & Status: The Art of Obsession and Success"

## Episode Overview:
In this episode of the High Performance Podcast, hosts Jake Humphrey and Damian Hughes engage in a captivating conversation with electronic music duo Chase & Status, comprised of Saul Milton and Will Kennard. The discussion delves into the duo's journey to success, their unwavering work ethic, and their unique approach to maintaining a balance between ambition and personal life.

## Key Points and Insights:
* **Drive and Ambition:** Chase & Status emphasize the importance of ambition and competitiveness as driving forces behind their success. They reveal that they always aimed to be the best, believing that anything less than absolute excellence was unacceptable.
* **Risk-Taking and Innovation:** The duo attributes their success to their willingness to take risks and push boundaries. They recall their early days when they were known for drawing tunes on each other, which eventually evolved into a competitive spirit that fueled their creativity.
* **Avoiding the Trappings of Success:** Chase & Status share their strategy for avoiding the pitfalls of fame and complacency. They explain that they have always been focused on their work and have never been driven by praise or criticism. This mindset has allowed them to remain grounded and continue pushing forward.
* **World-Class Basics:** The hosts introduce the concept of "world-class basics," which refers to the consistent habits and behaviors that contribute to high performance. Chase & Status highlight the importance of reliability, showing up for commitments, and putting themselves in challenging situations, even when it's uncomfortable.
* **Overcoming Imposter Syndrome:** The duo candidly discuss their experiences with imposter syndrome, particularly when working with high-profile artists like Rihanna. They reveal that they often feel self-doubt and anxiety but overcome these feelings by focusing on the opportunity and reminding themselves of their capabilities.
* **Balancing Obsession and Personal Life:** Chase & Status acknowledge the challenges of maintaining a healthy work-life balance. They admit that their obsessive nature can sometimes be difficult for their partners and families. However, they believe that the sacrifices they have made have been worth it in the long run.
* **Building a Successful Team:** The hosts explore how Chase & Status manages their large team for their live shows. The duo emphasizes the importance of trust, letting people do their jobs, and avoiding micromanagement. They credit their success to surrounding themselves with talented and passionate individuals who share their vision.

## Conclusion:
The conversation with Chase & Status provides valuable insights into the mindset, work ethic, and strategies that have contributed to their success in the music industry. Their emphasis on ambition, innovation, and a relentless focus on improvement serves as inspiration for anyone seeking to achieve high performance in their chosen field. The episode also highlights the importance of building a strong team and maintaining a healthy balance between personal life and career aspirations.

**Navigating the Music Industry: A Dialogue with Chase & Status**

In this podcast episode, electronic music duo Chase & Status, comprised of Saul Milton and Will Kennard, engage in a candid conversation about their journey in the music industry, their creative process, and the challenges and triumphs they have encountered along the way.

**Key Points:**

1. **Obsession with Music:** Both Saul and Will share their intense passion for music, describing it as "almost verging on a sort of sickness." This obsession fuels their relentless pursuit of excellence and drives their creative output.

2. **Importance of Collaboration:** Saul emphasizes the significance of collaboration, both with other artists and within their own partnership. He views collaboration as an art form that, when done well, can lead to powerful results.

3. **Honesty and Dedication:** Will stresses the importance of honesty and dedication in achieving success. He believes that these traits, particularly in the early stages of a career, can take individuals far in their pursuit of goals.

4. **Sacrifices for Success:** Both Saul and Will acknowledge the sacrifices they made in their personal lives to prioritize their music careers. They spent countless hours in the studio, dedicating themselves fully to their craft.

5. **Legacy and Longevity:** Saul expresses his desire for Chase & Status to end their journey on a high note, leaving a lasting legacy in the music industry. He emphasizes the importance of maintaining a strong fan base and continuing to create great music.

6. **Early Career Highlights:** Saul and Will recall some of the most exciting moments in their early careers, such as receiving phone calls from record labels and renowned artists expressing interest in working with them. These moments provided immense motivation and validation for their efforts.

**Memorable Quotes:**

- "I'm going to do this with you guys, I'm going to make this work." - Saul Milton, describing the feeling of receiving a phone call from a record label expressing interest in signing Chase & Status.

- "Learning the art of collaboration is probably the most powerful thing you can do." - Saul Milton, emphasizing the importance of collaboration in achieving success in the music industry.

- "Honesty and dedication, they will get you very, very far." - Will Kennard, highlighting the significance of these traits in achieving success.

**Overall Message:**

Chase & Status's journey in the music industry is a testament to their unwavering dedication, relentless pursuit of excellence, and the power of collaboration. Their story serves as an inspiration to aspiring artists and entrepreneurs, demonstrating the importance of hard work, sacrifice, and a genuine passion for one's craft.

# High Performance Podcast Episode Summary: Chase & Status

**Guests:** Saul Milton and Will Kennard, electronic music duo Chase & Status

**Topics Discussed:**

* The duo's early days in Manchester and their journey to success
* Their intense work ethic and obsession with music
* The importance of knowing you will succeed and not letting go of your goals
* Their upcoming sixth studio album, 'What Came Before'

**Key Points:**

* Chase & Status always knew they would be successful in music. They did not see it as arrogance, but rather as a superpower that allowed them to take risks and work incredibly hard.
* They spent years honing their craft, networking with people in the music industry, and creating a brand for themselves.
* They were not afraid to work hard and sacrifice to achieve their goals, even when it meant going against the grain or taking unconventional paths.
* Their success is a testament to the power of hard work, perseverance, and self-belief.
* Their new album, 'What Came Before,' is a culmination of years of work and is a reflection of their growth and evolution as artists.

**Memorable Quotes:**

* "We knew we were gonna be successful. It was just how we were gonna get there." - Saul Milton
* "I think it's really important we just pick out that a bit because what they're not saying is we were arrogant and we believed it was just going to happen for us." - Jake Humphrey
* "They spoke about it almost as like a superpower so that the fact they knew they were going to be successful allowed them to quit uni. It allowed them to stay in Manchester. It allowed them to put themselves in situations that most people wouldn't be in, but most importantly of all, it allowed them to work hard." - Jake Humphrey
* "There's a brilliant book by a guy called Steven Presley, I think called, uh, the war of art. And it's about, you always show up. You don't wait for inspiration to descend." - Jake Humphrey
* "You go in and you do the work and inspiration follows that you never miss, uh, an appointment time you turn up and you apply to everybody that's in the studio you're working with." - Jake Humphrey
* "And that's what Will and Saul were telling us there, that it was about the hard work. They never got high on their own supply." - Jake Humphrey
* "They'd do a big show, they'd be successful, and they were going away and planning, how do we do that better? They were doing that analysis." - Jake Humphrey
* "And for those people that are listening to us talk now, thinking, well, how does this apply to my life? I would say that the hard work allows you to fail, and it allows you to not be successful because if they release their most recent album and it doesn't sell or they go on tour and people don't buy tickets, they can still say, well, you know what? We gave it 100%. We were laser focused." - Jake Humphrey

**Overall Message:**

Chase & Status's story is an inspiring reminder that success is not a given. It requires hard work, dedication, and a belief in oneself. Their journey is a testament to the power of perseverance and the importance of never giving up on your dreams.