Sandy Turnbull

BOOM! HOUSE MUSIC POWERHOUSE SANDY TURNBULL UNVEILS ‘AFTER COMISKEY PARK’ EP. DMCWORLD CHECKS IN…

Interview by Dan Prince

 

Sandy a big welcome to DMCWORLD…where in the world are you right now?

Hey Dan! Thank you, right now I’m back home in Sheffield. I was at ADE last week so still trying to catch up with a few things.



The first piece of music you heard this morning after crawling out of bed?

I’m not going to lie, it is Phil Collins – In The Air Tonight. My girlfriend showed me a video of when Jazzy Jeff played it at the MN2S ADE party we were at just before going to bed and it’s been in my head all morning!

An exciting month for you thanks to the release of your new EP ‘After Comiskey Park’ swinging our way on your own imprint Galleria Records. Three ace tracks that has already picked up support from the likes of Tony Humphries, Horse Meat Disco and Graeme Park – please talk us through the release…

This has been the quickest turn around I’ve had from finishing the tracks to them putting them out. I have a catalogue of unreleased music I’m ready to put out but after I road tested these tracks, I wanted to move around the Galleria Records release schedule to fit them in. I didn’t send them to any other labels or DJs, I knew they were strong and wanted them out as soon as possible.

Well young man, a stunning 15 year career tucked under your belt bringing us a barrage of quality house music.

Check the EP here…https://soundcloud.com/sandy-turnbull/sets/sandy-turnbull-after-comiskey-park-ep-galleria

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Let’s rewind for a moment. What is your earliest musical memory?

Musical memories come from my parent’s album collections, things like Rolling Stones, Beatles and Rod Stewart. Also as a family we used to travel for up to 6 hours each way to visit our relatives in Scotland. That time was taken up listeing to 60s and 70s compilations that we had in the car, so they were ingrained in to me.

At what age did dance music first appear on your radar?

I was around the age of 14/15.  I had 3 friends who were slightly older and influenced me by what they were listening to. Then it was mixtapes by a local club resident that made me start searching out the records that were only available on imported vinyl, from then I started collecting vinyl.

When did a career in music first start to creep into your mind…

It didn’t!! I never planned or had a goal for it to become a career when I started. I was just passionate about music, collected records and it ended up at a point where I could focus on it full time.

What did your family think of your decision?

They have been amazing and very supportive from the very start. I have a card from my gran who passed away several years ago which says congratulations on my first gig as a “disc jockey” which I never thought of DJ in that way till then. Before I could drive, my older sister used to drive me to gigs. My younger sister used to come to see me play while underage and my mum used to help with illegal fly postering for nights I would put on.

What was the original idea, to DJ or produce?

Definitely DJing. It wasn’t until much later that I wanted to produce. This was mainly because I struggled to find enough music I liked at the time and had a lot of ideas. It started like most I guess making edits of records I was playing.

Can you recall your first ever gig, any of the tunes you played, did you get a pay packet?

My first real gig was at a local club called Regents Park in Barnsley. I had been going to the club regularly for a while and had become friends with the resident DJ who would borrow records that I would buy from my shopping trips to cities further afield. I probably got free entry to the club that night but would not have been paid.  I have the set recorded on a tape somewhere! One track I can remember from that night is I finished the set with Armand Van Helden and The Horse – Ghetto House Groove.

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I remember you from your days at The Pin Up Club where you created one of the city’s most seminal underground house night bringing us steel city debuts from Nic Fancuilli and Denney. Just how good was that club?

It was amazing, the venue was about 300 capacity and we had a loyal crowd and everyone got to know each other so it seemed more than just a club night, which I know is a cliché but was very true. 
I wouldn’t be here without Adam and Dean who were the promoters for the night.  They stuck to the policy of guests who just play good house music. The guests could range from Reel People and Joey Negro to Yousef and Paul Woolford. As a resident it was prefect night for me to play. They also had a keen eye for good local talent as well as up and coming DJs as well, like the ones you mentioned but they are many more.

What are the five big tunes in your box this weekend…

Demuir – Mi Nah Chase Pum Pum (Magnetic Recordings)

I’ve really liked Demuir’s album TruSkool on DJ Sneaks Magnetic Recordings. I’ve been hammering this track in my sets.

Christian B & Lavvy Levan – Got My Love  (Christian B ReVibe) (Friday Fox Recordings)

Peak timer dubby going on with a catchy cut up vocal.

Unique2rhythm – Temperature Rising  (Kenny Jaeger & Opolopo Remix) (Unique 2 Rhythm)

Love what Kenny and Opolopo have done with this track.

Kenny Dope & Oliver Dollar – Muggin’ (Dopewax)

Heavy weight collaboration on this solid driving groover.

Demarkus Lewis – All Night (Guesthouse)

Guesthouse is easily one of the most consistent labels around. This Demarkus Lewis hits the nail on the head with All Night.


With such a prolific career behind you, who better to ask the question of what makes a producer stand the test of time whilst keeping his artistic integrity and also evolving alongside new and trending genres?

This could be a controversial question!! In my opinion it’s about doing what you feel as an artist and evolving your sound, without chasing a style or sub genre to be relevant and get gigs playing music you don’t like deep down.

When you get pats on the back from the likes of Derrick Carter, DJ Sneak and Todd Terry, how much does that mean to you? Who are some of the names that you still look up to and learn from?


I’m still feel genuinely shocked. When someone I’ve looked up to or followed since I got interested in dance music sends a feedback report, charts a record, drops me an email or sends me a tweet I get giddy like a kid. When talking about people I look up to, a few of those aren’t active producers right now but might be more known for running a label or being behind the scene like Brian Tappert, and Simon Dunmore. The more established names I look up to are obviously including the guys you mentioned as well as people like Louie Vega, Kenny Dope, DJ Spen, Tony Humphries, Pete Tong, Phil Weeks and Mark Farina. There are actually too many more to keep listing but that’s a snapshot.


You have had tunes released from such great labels as Guesthouse, Solid Ground and Look At You. What labels did you grow up loving?

FFRR, AM/PM, Subliminal, Soulfuric, Classic, Trax, TRIBAL America, Basement Boys Recordings were a few of the labels I grew up loving

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When was the last time you danced to a DJ?

I think it was to Kenny Dope last weekend at ADE.

The last GREAT…



Film you saw

I’ve not seen a “great” film in a while. I’m a keen basketball fan and watched a documentary called Wining Time which was great… if that counts. I don’t think 2016 has been very good for films!

Album you checked out

Demuir – TruSkool on Magnetic Recordings

Club you went to

Code Warehouse in Sheffield.

And finally, what is coming next from you studio wise…?

My next EP “Make Me Cry” and Feelin’ Me” is coming out early December on Galleria. It is got a bit of a filtered disco vibe inspired by recently recording a few of my old records that you can’t get digitally. Galleria has a string of releases coming out scheduled right up until May next year. Also a bit of an exclusive for you, my track Because I Love You is getting a remix from Jeff Dougler & Balu.

Listen to ‘Make Me Cry’ here…https://soundcloud.com/sandy-turnbull/sets/make-me-cry-preview

http://www.sandyturnbull.com/