Introducing: Earthly Measures

With a reputation for weaving together global sounds and hypnotic grooves, London-based duo Earthly Measures are stepping into a bold new chapter. Their debut EP as a duo, From Earth (out August 8 via Oath), is a borderless journey through Afro-Latin rhythms, UK club energy, and psychedelic textures — a record rooted in connection, collaboration, and spirit. Leading with the percussion-heavy single ‘Que?’, featuring Colombian artist OKRAA, Earthly Measures signal their intent: music that moves the body while reaching for something deeper.

1. ‘From Earth’ feels like a journey across cultures and tempos—what was the starting point for the project, and how did you curate the collaborators to reflect that global ethos?

So these are actually tracks that I (James) started years ago but never saw the light. I think the idea was creating something that felt like traveling without moving—just pulling in different rhythms and moods we’ve been drawn to over the years, which kind of fits with our idea of being 'locally global'. The collaborators are all artists who we have worked closely with in the past and who we deeply respect for their talent and artistry. They were all people whose sound already carries that global vibe, so it was less about me “curating” and more about bringing together friends who naturally speak that same musical language and would take these tracks up another level.

2. The lead single ‘Que?’ is built around a Fela Kuti sample and fuses breakbeats with live textures—can you talk about how that track came together and what drew you to work with OKRAA?

That one started with me stumbling across a Fela sample chopping it up and just looping it nonstop and then adding organic textures to it. We then thought of OKRAA because he’s so good at adding those live, organic layers that give a track depth but also he has a beautifully chaotic side to his music and the breaks were all him. He really helped shape it into something that feels alive, not just programmed.

3. This is your first release outside the Earthly Measures label. What made the label OATH the right home for this EP, and how does that shift reflect where you are creatively right now?

For this project we wanted to branch out a bit. It’s a new chapter in the Earthly Measures world. OATH has this adventurous spirit, but is still very much aligned with our sound and aligns with what we were trying to do creatively. We also love the aesthetics and artwork on each release, and we have used Ventral is Golden, who is a good friend of ours, for many projects of our own. 

4. Tracks like ‘Earth Groove’ have a real ritualistic and ancestral feel. How do nature and place influence your sound, especially when blending electronic and organic elements?

Nature is always in there, even if it’s not obvious, and this is very much the case in our releases on Earthly Measures too. Sometimes it’s field recordings, sometimes it’s just the way a rhythm feels. We like electronic music that still feels human, earthy and organic—so we’re always trying to bring those elements in most of what we do. 

5. With remixes from Olsvanger, Sun Sone, and Jinje, the EP ends with a sense of reimagining. What role do reinterpretations play in your vision for globally-minded dance music?

You’re pretty much handing your music over to someone else’s world. Everyone hears and feels things differently, so when an artist reinterprets a track it opens it up in a way I never could on my own. For me, that’s what global dance music is all about—sharing, evolving, and keeping the music moving. Sun Sone & Jinje are good friends and long-time collaborators of ours, so it just made a lot of sense to get them involved - Olsvanger is a new collaborator which OATH brought onto our radar and we have enjoyed his past few releases.