An Ibiza legend in his own right and the voice behind some of the biggest house tunes to have hit dance floors over the last decade, Peyton wears his heart on his sleeve through the power of his music and his inimitable vocals are recognized across the entire dance music spectrum. And now, for the first time ever, a collection of his favourite tracks have found their way onto one album – Beach House Sessions.
Like so many American soul singers, Peyton got his musical start in church. Raised in the south of the US, Peyton was brought up in a family of Pentecostal preachers and was working as the minister of music for his father’s church by the time he was seventeen. After moving to the UK to study, Peyton went on to live in Colombia, South America and New York City, before finally settling in London.
In 2003, Peyton signed his first single “A Higher Place” to the Hed Kandi label. Legendary House music producer Eric Kupper (Degrees of Motion) produced the first official mix which topped dance charts around the world and went on to become a House classic. Peyton soon began working on his debut album with Eric Kupper, as well as travelling around the globe performing to tens of thousands, turning the world into his touring playground, one country at a time. It was also during this time that Peyton was invited to be one of the five presenters on the UK version of Queer Eye For The Straight Guy, which was a big hit in the UK on LIVING TV and was subsequently syndicated to networks all over the world.
“A Higher Place”:
In 2005 Peyton released his solo album with Hed Kandi, as well as a string of follow-up anthems including “I’ll Rise”, “Celebrate”, and “Ride Like The Wind”, fuelling Peyton’s reputation as one of House music’s brightest new writers and vocalists. His distinctly recognisable voice, in an industry dominated by females vocals, finally resulted in Peyton being the only male nominated for Outstanding Vocalist of the Year at London’s House Music Awards.
Peyton began hosting his own weekly radio show on London’s PASSION 91.8 FM, and has continued writing and recording superb dance music, working with the likes of Frankie Knuckles, ATFC, Freemasons, David Penn, DJ Chus, Soul Avengerz, Samuele Sartini, Moto Blanco, Bassmonkeys, Noferini, Kaskade, Kid Massive, Mark Picchiotti, Carlos Gallardo, Chris Cox, The BeatThiefs, Wayne G, The Futuristic Polar Bears, Eric Kupper, Paul Gardner, Taylor Square, Mark Wilkinson, Marc JB, and Vertigo among others. Peyton has performed in over 200 cities, in over sixty countries, across six continents, making headline appearances at events like Sydney’s Mardi Gras Harbour Party, the official Beijing Olympics after-party, as well as a summer residency at the world’s most famous super-club ‘Space’ on the island of Ibiza.
The ultimate companion to any summer poolside retreat, Peyton’s Beach House Sessions is the culmination of one of the industry’s most colourful careers. Featuring thirteen hand-picked tracks – eleven original productions and two covers, the album is mixed by DJ Alex Taylor and features the fingerprints of some of the scene’s most revered producers including Eric Kupper, Arkoss, Audio Fraud and of course “Beautiful”, recorded with the godfather of house music himself, the late Frankie Knuckles.
Given the stamp of approval by the Blue Marlin club in Ibiza where Peyton holds a residency, Beach House Sessions delivers a full 78 minutes of Spanish-influenced, sun-kissed House music from the man who has done it all – from signing his chart-topping single “A Higher Place” to Hed Kandi, and working with the likes of Freemasons, Kaskade, David Penn and Frankie Knuckles, to headlining the biggest events across the globe at Pride London, Sydney’s Mardis Gras and the official Beijing Olympics after-party.
Out now as a free download from Peyton’s Soundcloud page, Beach House Sessions will transport you from the Balearic shores of Ibiza to the golden beaches down under and back again, without spilling a single sip of your Blue Marlin cocktail. Keep an eye on Peyton’s social media for opportunities to win physical, signed copies of the album and remember that Beach House Sessions is best enjoyed with plenty of sun block and an ice-cold margarita, so we hear.
Download: Peyton – Beach House Sessions
Keep Tabs on Peyton: Facebook // Twitter // Website
Words by Akua Ofei // Edited by Ayo Adepoju
