Todd the god gets set to rock the brilliant Filedtrip festival in Leeds
Interview : Rob Chadwick
Hey Todd welcome back to DMCWORLD…where in the world are you today?
“Hey Rob, I’m in New York today getting ready for the weekend.”
A big date in your diary coming up, headlining the massive Fieldtrip event in Leeds alongside the likes of Darius Syrossian and Dub Pistols. You have a real affinity with Leeds and their clubbers, you looking forward to this event?
“For sure, I believe its new festival right? So it will be good to get it off to a great start and throw down some quality beats. The line up looks great from what I have seen too. I love the intimate festivals as they tend to get people who are really into the music and can feel the vibe that’s going on.”
How does a festival Todd Terry set differ if at all from an intimate club set?
“You know I really like both but I’d say they differ because you’re pleasing a vaster audience so you maybe can throw in a lot more curve balls. The intimate settings I like because you can feel the energy a lot more as you’re closer to the audience.”
Leeds of course knows you really well from your dozens of appearances at Dave Beer’s Back To Basics night. Why is this club so special to you?
“Well Leeds in general has always taken to the house scene, every time I come back they are always on fine form. Basics is an institution known around the world and has been flying the flag for house for over 20 years. Same with Hard Times, those guys are also a great faction and one I used to love playing for. When we used to go to London to play we were always looking forward to getting up north and rocking the Leeds scene.”
You have been working on the Freestyle Forever albums recently, how has that been going?
“Really well thanks. It’s great to do something away from the house scene as it keeps my mind active on other styles of music. I think it’s really healthy and important for me to do the albums because of that. They are more song driven and have more melody to them rather than just a selection of tracks you know? I can throw in a lot of genres, some edits of the cheesier variety and even a few vocals.”
The Todd Terry production line exploded around the peak of the rave scene in the late 80’s, were you aware how big your style and sound was in the UK?
“Yeah I guess so, but it really hit me when I came over there and people were coming up to and talking to me about the music. We used to get huge audiences too in the UK and it kind of hit me that they were there to see me. I was very taken back by it all you know? Those days were great.”
How would you best describe your InHouse label?
“Very experimental. Maybe a little messy too, but in a good way. We have jackin’ sounds to the more raw and edgy vibe right the way through to straight up house that rocks a club. I like to keep things as original as possible and leave the door open to all types of house cuts.”
The Buzz chart has featured InHouse releases from DJ E-Clyps and the breakthrough Lupe Fuentes, what’s your advice too producers looking to catch your attention?
“We like to build or artists up from the ground up. With E-Clyps he really listened to us and studied the records and the sound we wanted. He got his arrangement perfect, whether it was the breakdowns or the 2 bar intros or his jackin’ style. With Lupe, it was great to have a women on board you know? The females tend to not think about themselves as much as the guys do. Girls also love to dance so she knew exactly the type of record to create and get people moving on the dancefloor.”
A recent quote from a certain superstar DJ…“I believe true DJing is actually an art, but it’s a dying art, as everyone is pushing the sync button…it’s a real shame when you see a ‘DJ’ plug his laptop in and call this DJing.” What are your thoughts on that?
“I think that certain DJ has a point for sure. I mean when you come from my era you obviously want things to be as original as possible, however you do have to move with the times. It was kind of the same thing when CDJs first came out, they had a lot of heat but now they are well publicised. The computer is now taking the heat and it will continue when something else comes around.”
Over the years you have written and produced many house, hip hop, D&B, techno and soul tracks, what is the one song you would liked to be remembered for?
“I’d say ‘Something Going On’ just because I only had a two note sample to work with and I managed to create something that got a great response from the audience. Working with Joeclyn was so much fun too.”
It’s that time of year again, the annual DJ Top100. What are your thoughts on that?
“I think it’s a glam thing more than a real artist top 100. I think they should split up the genres from the EDM styles and create two lists you know? Or maybe even three. I think it would create less controversy and allow people to really focus on the music they like.”
In your opinion, is it possible for someone to make it as a DJ in 2014, without any production behind them?
“Maybe, but I think there needs to be a product behind them, you know like a cool event or brand. These days I really think it’s important to produce as its the best way to get your name out there.”
And finally, what is coming out next from the mighty Todd Terry studio?
“I think we will be releasing my track with Two in a Room next month called ‘Crazy on the dance floor’. It kind of came out of nowhere that we got together and managed to lay down the track really smoothly so I can’t wait till this gets released. Stay tuned.”
Todd plays Fieldtrip Festival 15th – 17th August at Addingham Moor – tickets available here – www.fieldtripfestival.co.uk
