In one of the most uniquely offbeat collaborations of the year, celebrated pop singer Blake Lewis joins forces with electronic music’s most accomplished drummer producer KJ Sawka to form The Private Language, a new project that combines cutting-edge electropop, indie dance, and future funk into one irresistible package. Their boldly unexpected debut single was a fresh take on the Tears For Fears smash ‘Everybody Wants To Rule The World’, spinning the classic songcraft of the original with state-of-the-art modernist production.

Now the duo returns with the carefree summer stylings of ‘Cali Girls’, a ray of melodic sunshine filled with irresistible hooks and funky basslines, coming out just in time to be an antidote for our weary times.

Lewis speaks about the genesis of the song ‘The initial idea was to write an updated version of The Beach Boys ‘California Girls’. That never happened, but during the writing session I kept thinking of this amazing woman I met in Berlin. We walked the streets for hours, had some Mezcal, deep conversations and a friendship blossomed. While writing, my brain just kept going back to that moment. “Catching flights for your love life, there ain’t nothing in the world like California girls. Sometimes the lyrics just come together organically and you can’t fight it. That’s what happened that day writing with KJ & Jacob Luttrell. I love this song, it’s fun and I can't wait to sing it loud!’

Sawka adds his magic production dust to the proceedings, remembering that ‘Blake brought in a demo with some chopped-up vocal samples, a rough bassline, and a guitar and I loved it, so we immediately started working on it. I did what I normally do; attack the beats, the groove, and sound design the chords, leads, and fill sounds.’

Sawka and Lewis originally crossed paths amid the vibrant Seattle hip hop and rave scene, becoming fast friends and fellow musical travelers. Lewis rose to fame as one of the most distinctive and memorable finalists on American Idol, winning over the world with his charismatic singing, beatboxing, and scat-singing. He went to collaborate with OneRepublic’s Ryan Tedder, releasing a top 10 US album and a #1 Billboard dance track. Sawka has been playing drums and producing for over 28 years, working with artists such as Illenium, BT, Amon Tobin, Andy Summers of the Police, and dubstep supergroup Destroid. He is most known as the incendiary drummer for drum n’ bass legends Pendulum.

Out now on Black Hole Recordings - stream here
Watch the music video here

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