N-IS! A huge welcome to DMCWORLD. Where are we finding you today?
In a studio near Chicago working on some more tracks for an EP next year.
Please introduce yourself to our readers:
My name is Sheridan Tongue and I mainly compose music for TV and film soundtracks – but in the last couple of years I have been working on my own personal project called IN-IS and have released an album Seven Days on the independent label NW1 Records.
Talk us through your new album Seven Days:
I always wanted to write an album for strings, piano and electronics with the aim of creating large expansive soundscapes that wash over the listener. I recorded the live strings for this at the iconic Air Studios in London. As a composer how was it working with the likes of Tom Adams and One Bit for the album’s remixes? The great thing about both Tom Adams and One Bit was that they retained the essence of the original tracks but at the same time added so much to the tracks. One Bit gave the track Seven Days such a tight electronic feel – I played the track live recently at the album launch and it went down incredibly well. They are great guys and very enthusiastic about music. Tom Adams is a very talented artist and producer and I knew he would surprise me with his remix. I am pretty sure we ‘hear’ music in a similar way – he is really into different layers and textures in his own tracks and remixes, as am I. he also likes to experiment and push the boundaries.
What do you make of the results?
Tom’s remix of Opus Einn was just beautiful – the first time I heard it I knew it was perfect for the album as a bonus track. It has given me lots of ideas and inspiration for future tracks. The track was chosen as ‘Record of the Weekend’ by Mary Anne Hobbs for her ‘6 Music Recommends’ show on BBC Radio 6, which was a lovely honor. One Bit took some of my favourite elements of Seven Days: the piano and string parts and brought them into a whole new genre. I loved the sounds they used in the mix and their production quality was exceptional.
For fans of the remixes do you think they represent the sound of the album? i.e do you think people who discover you through the mixes, will enjoy the album?
I think that if people enjoy Tom’s remix of Opus Einn then they will love my album tracks. Tom has pushed the electronic side in a really cool way – what drew him to my track Opus Einn was the string sound. I spent a lot of time planning and preparing for the live string sessions with players. Hopefully the One Bit remix of Seven Days will bring new listeners to IN-IS: my love of fusing analogue keyboards and retro studio gear with live musicians is only just beginning. Watch this space.
We hear you recently performed live with One Bit, how did that work?
It was fantastic to have the guys with me performing Seven Days live – there was a huge audience reaction when they came onto the stage. I ended the set with their remix of Seven Days and it really ended the show on a party note! They played many of the samples live, I was on keyboards, Dan Jeffries played electric guitar and we had three violinists performing the string parts live. One Bit now want to use string players in all their live shows!
Are there any other producers/DJs you’d like to work with?
I am a fan of Jon Hopkins’ work and a huge admirer of Danger Mouse.
Who were your main influences for the album?
There are so many artists & composers that have inspired me, these are a few: M83, Cliff Martinez, Johann Johannsson, Vaughn Williams, Arvo Part, Dustin O’Halloran
The best piece of music you have heard since rolling out of bed today?
Blackstar By David Bowie
Your favorite track of 2016?
Seven Birds by Tom Adams
The last GREAT…
Film you saw
The Revenant, I saw it twice. Incredibly powerful film with a superb understated soundtrack by Ryuichi Sakomoto for electronics and strings, fits the film beautifully.
Album you bought
Luneworks By Mmoth
Live show you attended
Nitan Sawney at the Albert Hall London this Autumn – he played a fantastic arrangement of the main titles theme from the Netfix drama Narcos.
Holiday you had
Japan with my family last Easter – by far my favourite country to visit. We travelled to Tokyo, Kyoto, Hakone and Hiroshima. I could live there!
The moment a record changed your life and you knew your path in life was music…
Eight Day by Hazel O’Connor – after hearing this single I just knew I had to work in the music business. I wanted to make records like this.
The best piece of advice you have ever been given?
Luck is where opportunity meets preparedness.
And finally, let’s skip forward 12 months. What do you want to achieve by this time next year?
The release of an IN-IS EP early next year with more of an electronic feel and a second IN-IS album in the Autumn.
‘Seven Days’ the debut album from IN-IS is out now
http://in-is.com/