Team Toolroom unbuckle their weapons
Interview by Dan Prince and Victoria Nicole Smith
Mark Knight. Prok & Fitch. Erik Hagleton. Weiss. Adrian Hour. Toolroom’s core roster join forces on a brand new ‘Miami Weapons EP to deliver a blistering tech house and techno selection set to tear up this month’s Winter Music Conference. DMCWORLD gets the world fucking exclusive people…
Well team Toolroom, you don’t do things by half do you? A new year, compilations flying out, big Miami and Ibiza plans afoot and then the word on the street comes through about a new EP ‘Miami Weapons’ featuring tracks from the guvnor, Weiss, Prok & Fitch and Adrian Hour. There is a new dream team in dance music!! Please talk us through the EP…
Mark Knight : “It’s a four track EP, with four key artists from Toolroom. The idea was to put together an EP which was great, straight DJ tools. Tracks which can be played out and tracks which you can expect to hear right across all the different parties. We had the Miami Winter Conference in mind when we created this. Straight up bombs.”
Loving the ‘Beverly Thrills’ name, would think nothing less of a Prok & Fitch production, another monster release for Toolroom?
Prok & Fitch : “Exactly. Toolroom have upped their game and had a great start to 2015, this EP is no exception with 4 solid tracks that complement each other nicely. As far as ‘Beverly Thrills’, we had some time off on in LA whilst on tour in January, we knew Eric was living over there and we both liked his stuff. We hit it off in the studio and the track came together very quickly, as soon as we had finished the track we were hammering it and have done ever since. The breaks pretty crazy and has been a bit of a weapon on the dancefloor.”
Weiss you come to the table large with ‘Right Now’…
“I wanted to do something slightly different this time. I wanted to create something on the harder edge and more Techno vibe. It was really exciting for me as I used a lot more different sounds to what I would normally use but still having that Weiss edge. It’s a very dark tinged type of track that I feel you can get sucked into.”
And Adrian, ‘We Got The Power’…absolutely massive, Toolroom have done it again?
“Of course Toolroom have done it again! The idea I had when making ‘We Got The Power’ was after the many shows I did: the vocals, female fx, hard techno build up and the funky baseline were the heart as well as the energy of an incredible party!”
Is this the first of many releases from team Toolroom?
Mark Knight : ”Yeah, I think so. The idea moving forward is to have a collective of artists. So this is a concept we are going to replicate. Collectively we want to do more things together, have artists producing together it’s something we are going to do more of.”
Weiss, a big question you asked your fans on Facebook this week…what’s your most favorite club in the world and why? So young man, what’s yours?
“I have a few favorite clubs but for me, the one that stands out so far was playing at Fabric. I’ve always wanted to play there and my dream came true last year when I played in May. Another great gig was playing at We Are FSTVL. Great crowd and really up for the underground music. I’m back there again this year so very much looking forward to that.”
The month of March wouldn’t be the same without a Toolroom Poolside album, this year’s edition mixed by the uber cool Cyclist & Framewerk. Back in the 90s Miami was THE week on the clubbing calendar…how important is Miami Music Week for Toolroom in 2015?
Mark Knight : “Every year is very important. It’s a great way of showcasing the new sound, the new artists. All eyes are on Miami that week. I think it depends on how much you’re prepared to put into it, you can go to a few gigs and have fun or you can promote a big record for the summer, it’s a great platform to do that. All the media focus on Miami that week, so if you have something to say, you have the opportunity to do so.”
Where can we catch you guys spinning at Miami this month?
Weiss : “I’m playing at Green Velvet’s party on Thursday 26th alongside Oliver $, Josh Wink, Route 94 and Gene Farris and Toolroom’s party on the 27th with Mark Knight, Adrian Hour plus many others…so very much looking forward to getting out there.”
Adrian Hour : “I’m really looking forward to Miami. I’m happy to announce for those who want to catch me, I’ll be playing across six different events and venues Space Miami, Ultra Music Conference, Toolroom In Stereo and many more…”
Prok & Fitch : “A heavy one…! Wednesday 25th – Incorrect @ Steam, Friday 27th– Toolroom in Stereo – National Hotel and Under The Radr – Elleven, Saturday 28th – Reload- Sure Club and Monday 29th– Morillo and Friends at SLS.”
What is more important to you, a big Miami tune or a big Ibiza anthem?
Mark Knight : “I think one sets up the other. The idea of having a Miami record, is it then rolls on into the summer. That’s really what the idea is. You make a big record for Miami and then it seeds the music of the summer. It’s all about having something ready for next week, play it out on the right radio and at the right parties and it snowballs.”
Is there a DJ and party you always look forward to hearing and hitting every year?
Prok & Fitch : “Wouldn’t say there was one particular DJ but definitely a few parties we’re looking forward to checking out, the line up at Paradise is a tough one to beat.”
Weiss : “Yes I love hearing Green Velvet play and I’ve been lucky enough to play for him the last two years. I want to go and check out Jesse Rose B2B at Steam Miami this year. I’m sure that will be a cool party.”
Adrian Hour : “I’m really looking forward to going to the famous Space Miami, and Ultra Music Conference. As well as hanging out with my friends Mark Knight, Chus & Ceballos, Technasia, Dosem, Prok & Fitch, Stefano Noferini, Umek. And all the others I will catch over there too.”
Your favourite ever memory of Miami? One that we can print…
Mark Knight : “None are printable! But, I do remember one time that myself and my brother Stuart were at this hotel. We decided we would surf on ironing boards. We got them out of our room and came flying down the stairs. This was about 4pm in the afternoon. We’d been up most of the night. There was a packed reception and there we were, surfing down the hotel stairs on ironing boards! I also remember going to The Magic Sessions about 12 years ago. That was amazing! I listened to Tony Humphries to the early hours of the morning, that was pretty special.”
Weiss : “Hearing Kings Of Tomorrow ‘Finally’ being played by MAW back in 2004. It was amazing and the crowd just went nuts. It’s a very special song to me as it is my wife’s so lot’s of good memories with that song.”
Prok & Fitch : “Ha ha there’s been a few, of those that are suitable to print…would have to go back a few years to the time of the legendary Beatport parties at the National. The weather was all over the place, sunny one minute and hammering down the next, Dubfire was playing and destroying it. He then dropped ‘Roadkill’ which was the first time we had heard it and was without doubt our most memorable WMC moment – the crowd reaction was amazing and the records even better.”
Mark the last time we spoke was just as Toolroom were about to launch #RESET, you admitted it was like “winning the league several times. You take things back to the drawing board, re-evaluate your team and the specific strengths you have or need to review and then make the changes that will keep you on winning form.” Looking back, are you happy with how the whole campaign went?
“Massively. I love the look, I love the feel of it. I think it’s more uniform – it’s exactly what I want it to stand for.”
Weiss, you teased us with a sneaky preview of a new track you are currently working on ‘You&Me’…tell us more…
“It’s just a track I’ve been working on recently. I sent it over to Matt from Gorgon City in its early stages to get some feedback and he absolutely loves it. I really love the old school vibe of it and for me just has one of these loops that I can hear over and over again with this anticipation of what’s going to happen next. It’s part of quite a few tracks I’m working on at the moment ready for the summer so watch this space.”
And Adrian, you mentioned a new track coming our way on Suara soon…what’s the story here?
“This track will be something different from the usual kind of stuff I do. I made “Move That Dope” around 10 months ago and I never sent it to any label. But I have been playing this track a million times and always gets such an amazing reaction. This track is totally different to the rest. It has personality, mixing House and Techno. I’m so proud to release it on Suara. I hope you like it!”
What are the top 5 records in your box this weekend…please give us a few words on each…
Prok & Fitch :
– Prok & Fitch, Eric Hagleton Beverly Thrills – Toolroom
Huge record in our sets, the breakdown hasn’t failed yet.
– Dosem- Message-Coyu Remix – Suar
Our favorite Coyu production from the last 6 months, we’ll be playing this for quite a while.
– Prok & Fitch –Tripwire- (Toolroom)
Our exclusive track for the Toolroom Album, and our forthcoming release.
– Carl Ruetz – Sol – Stefano Noferini Edit Deeperfect
Huge fan of ‘Jaguar’ and this definitely brings back some serous nostalgia.
– Argy & Mama-Recluse – Hot Since 82 Remix – Bpitch Control
Great remix, love the drums and the vocals cool.
Weiss :
– Brillstein ‘How About No’ Play It Down
A brilliant use of a sample from Mr. Bump Man that just adds a bit of funk to your sets. Being a lover of old 60’s/70’s records this is right up my street and coming from one of my favorite labels.
– Ruben Mando ‘Also!’ (The Junkies Remix) Snatch!
These guys are on fire and absolutely loving the techno vibes they are putting out. Just proper chunky house that makes you want to move your feet.
– Lewis Boardman All Night’ 8Bit
Definitely a guy you want to be looking out for. He just does these clever grooves and doesn’t copy anyone else and I’m really into that as a producer.
– Antonio Grassier ‘Fariseo’ High Pressure
Awesome dark, cool groove with this very clever chord sequence used just before every drop. Just sounds so fat in a club.
– Weiss ‘Man Gone’
It’s a brand new track of mine I’ve been testing out ready for the summer and it’s going down so well. It has this fantastic African American vocal which I won’t say much about but watch this space.
Adrian Hour :
– Mark Knight – Be Real / Toolroom TRAX
Those vocals, the groove and the baseline. It’s exactly what I love. Mark knows how to do it.
– Adrian Hour – Svojsice / Stereo Productions
Tracks that never disappoint, techno or tech house
– Harvey McKay – Trick Baby / Drumcode
I’m a big fan of Harvey’s style and he did it again with this track. I love it!
– Adrian Hour – We Got The Power / Toolroom TRAX
What can I say about this? We Got That Power!!
– Layton Giordani – Never Forgoten / Intec
This has an incredible techno groove! I love this.
3 bucket list adventures you wanna do in your lifetime?
Mark Knight : “First of all…more skiing! And I also want to learn how to fly, I spend so much of my time on planes and I’d love to be able to fly, I’ve always wanted to learn.”
Weiss : “Meet Quincy Jones, travel back in time and play at The Berlin Love Parade and be on set and star in one of the new Star Wars movies.”
Adrian Hour : “The first one would be spend at least 2 weeks on a private island in Indonesia with my good friends, the second one would be to do a parachute jump and lastly, go to Machu Picchu in Peru…that would be awesome.”
An up and coming producer to watch out for in 2015?
Mark Knight: “Adrian Hour! He’s young, he’s got the right sound and he’s a pleasure to work with. He’s also a fantastic producer and he just understands the Toolroom sound, he’s the most exciting talent at the moment, with such potential to be a big superstar.”
We hear that Prok & Fitch are thankfully returning to the HD Festival in July, last year was crazy. One memory that still sticks out…?
“Very much looking forward to this, last year was legendary, was an absolute honor to close. So many special moment’s but the one that stands out would be drooping our edit of the amazing London Grammar – ‘Hey Now’.”
What festival has really got you excited this summer?
Mark Knight : “We are hosting our own Arena at We Are FSTVL. Last year was amazing and this year should be good too!”
Best ever festival experience?
Mark Knight : “Playing at Love Fest Serbia last year. The reaction of the crowd was amazing and it was the best festival I’ve ever played at. Some festivals are some great catering, but I like to play records to people who like to go mad! That crowd was just something else.”
Plans for Ibiza this summer…
Weiss : “I’m playing at the opening party for Privilege and also going to be out there a few times with Toolroom. Nothing is set in stone yet venue wise but I’ll definitely be out there.”
What was the last GREAT studio toy you bought yourself?
Mark Knight : “Oh the Trinnov 100%. It’s a room correction unit and It’s unbelievably good! The biggest battle you have as a producer is the environment you work within and try to get that balance can be hard. It’s ridiculously expensive, but ridiculously good.”
Prok & Fitch : “At the moment we’re completely in the box, but In the process of changing that and currently looking at new drum Machines, always good to try new things, so looking forward to making a decision and a new way of working.”
Mark, let’s skip forward 12 months – what do you want to achieve in your life by this time 2016?
“More balance! A life and a career.”
And finally, what is coming out next from you lot studio wise?
Mark Knight : “I have a remix coming out on Suara with Coyu and Ramiro Lopez soon That’s one to look out for!”
Adrian Hour : “Lot of new tracks are coming! Some more collaborations with Mark Knight, big shows like Creamfields in August and maybe an album…”
Prok & Fitch : “Loads and loads, studio wise we’re probably going through our best patch to date, really inspired making the music we love and putting in some serious hours in. Got some exciting releases scheduled for the rest of the year, looking forward to hearing what you guys think.”
http://www.toolroomrecords.com
http://www.facebook.com/toolroomrecords
http://www.youtube.com/toolroomrecords
http://twitter.com/toolroomrecords
https://pro.beatport.com/label/toolroom/495
