A genius with music running through his veins
Tommie, about time you got your arse into DMCWORLD Magazine again! A pleasure to have you on board sir. The Buzz Chart office are jumping around about your new Horsepower (great name by the way) collective with Bart B More and RipTidE. And in particular, your remixes of Sean Paul’s ‘She Doesn’t Mind’. You are crazy in production and style dude – tell us about this new trio of music, how it came about and this brilliant rework…
“Horsepower is three very good friends making music together they wouldn’t make separately. Bart I met after hunting him down at ADE for a few years. We made a track we never finished and then many more since including “Body Work” for Calvin Harris’ Fly Eye. I discovered RipTidE’s genius on Myspace a few years back and I realized that these two amazing friends of mine and I needed to join forces and attempt to take music in a new direction. The remix came about when Matt Engelman from Atlantic and I met at ADE last year and I told him about Horsepower. Without hearing a lick of our music he asked for a remix.”
What is next on agenda for you three – and what are the qualities you liked about these two producers?
“Our remix of Scissor Sisters “Only The Horses” and Loops Of Fury “I Need” are the next up and out. We have a full album almost done and the first single we spread around, “Let’s Do It” is being played by DJs as diverse as Boys Noize and Tiesto. Bart is a renegade who isn’t afraid to take any sonic chances and Max (RipTidE), the true musician of the group, shares my deep love for really shameless Pop Music as well as consistently going against ever grain he encounters. Most importantly we get along like brothers and look forward to this project blowing up so we have an excuse to travel the world together.”
Down at DMC we checked out your little line you once said…”if you are DMC good at technique and have no musical taste it will get you nowhere”. You never fancied a pop at the DMC World Champs?
“No way. I would make a terrible scratch DJ. I lack discipline and coming from Chicago, it’s House Music that runs through my veins.”
At IMS two years ago you came out with a great quote regarding dance music in America. ” I think one of the biggest problems in America right now is that you’ve got an entire cast of characters, especially on the major labels, who are old and probably do too much cocaine, and they’re trying to make decisions about music that’s completely divorced from all of that attitude. How can you have progress when these are the people pulling the strings.” The Miami/Ultra fortnight was insane for American EDM, frightening. On one half of the fence you have the Sasha’s and Digweed’s shaking their heads thinking what the hell is going on, on the other you have the Tiesto’s and Guetta’s rubbing their hands. What are your thoughts of the USA and dance music in April 2012?
“Here we stand at the same crossroads we have been at so many times before. The music is exploding but sadly the culture got left behind in the process. It’s a festival culture for the youth in most of the country and a money driven adult experience for those in Vegas. There is a disconnect for DJs who play adventurous sets of music as most everyone has been programmed to “wait for the drop” and if the drop don’t come, they lose interest QUICK! I also think that there’s lots of liquor, coke, ketamine and GHB in the crowds where there should be only water bottles and MDMA. Take away the E from EDM and watch how weird it gets. If you ever were curious how that plays out, book your flight to America now and go on Rave Safari.”
I interviewed Pete Tong on Friday regarding this year’s IMS, how does his event compare to the great New Music Seminar in New York of the late 80s? Surely it is a way forward…?
“I sat on a poignant panel at IMS in ’10 called USA Today: Boom Boom Now! where I said, “there is NO room for dance music in America. It will never happen. Not real dance music, anyway”. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9CcI-Ofjbjs
I believe IMS to be a very important gathering second only to ADE which I believe is more oriented towards the culture as well as the music. We need more gatherings like IMS and I hope they bring it Stateside as we need it badly. Someone has to reel in this mayhem the majors have created pursuing this music of ours. Big thanks to Pete and Ben Turner for starting IMS up.”
You were in Chicago for the birth of house music, you grew up in the 70s and 80s with rock music and Kraftwerk…tell us about home life for you growing up, what music was drifting through the family corridors when you were a nipper that got you sucked into music? Your older brothers and sisters had great tastes in music…
“I was surrounded by my oldest sister blasting music while putting on make-up getting ready to go to the Disco as she did 6 nights a week, my other sister bringing Soft Cell and Talking Heads albums home from university and my brother playing in a New Wave band in high school introducing me to Gary Numan and Devo. Also, my grandfather’s Big Band records make a big impression on me my whole life really.”
With so many siblings, it’s strange that you claim you had social awkwardness which meant the radio was a good friend to you. How does a shy kid suddenly be able to years later to be able to stand in front of thousands of people and make them dance?
“Sunglasses and long hair are the armor necessary for such battles. Plus I am propelled by my intense love of this music.”
Can you remember where you where when you first heard the tones of the likes of Farley Jackmaster Funk and Marshall Jefferson’s new house sound – what was your initial reaction?
“Well, I knew it was the path of the rest of my life the moment I heard it. The records that really flipped me were Vouyou “Houseman”, Nitzer Ebb “Join In The Chant”, Bigod 20 “What Acid?” and Front 212 “Welcome To Paradise”. The club was Medusas which was all ages from 7-10 and then we would sneak into the 18+ part from 11-4 well before we were 18. Best selling author Neil Strauss was a resident DJ there in its heyday. Proper House Music came a bit later but it all kind of melted into each other to be honest.”
What is the best live gig you have ever been to. And why did it rock?
“Primal Scream touring Screamadelica with Alex Patterson of The Orb on decks before and after. Nothing could ever possibly duplicate the bliss of that show. Two of our generation’s greatest at their greatest.”
You are shameless about your deep love of pop music. We know you would love to remix 10CC ‘I’m Not In Love’ and the Steve Miller Band’s ‘Fly Like An Eagle’…who in the world of pop is rocking your commercial socks right now?
“Fun is amazing, Azealia Banks is going to be super massive, The Limousines is the best band you’ve never heard of and my favorite Pop group of the last ten years is Scissor Sisters and their new album is going to turn many heads.”
What is the current top ten you are spinning?
Horsepower – Let’s Do It [Bart B More Edit]
Elektropusher – Scooping [Exploding Plastic Remix]
Doctr – Freakshow
Azealia Banks ft. Lazy Jay – 212 [Tommie Sunshine & Disco Fries Edit]
Polymath – Saw Pump [Botnek Remix]
Harvard Bass & Bart B More – Pari
Rebecca & Fiona – Dance [The Loops Of Fury Remix]
Casey Spooner – Cinnamon Toast [Modek Remix]
Bart B More – Jack
Iggy Azalea – My World [The Partysquad Remix]
Dead or alive – which five celebrities do you invite for dinner – and which DJ do you ask to come and play at the after party?
“Warhol, Lennon, Kerouac, Eno, Hemmingway & Gauguin. It’s six but it’s my dinner. Music provided by the almighty Derrick Carter.”
You once claimed that the PH version of how you got your name was when people saw you wandering around at dawn, and they’d give you a “good morning sunshine!”. I believe Mr S, it may have got something to do with LSD though…
“100% influenced by “Orange Sunshine L.S.D.”! At the start of the rave scene I couldn’t get acid on my tongue fast enough.”
What is the finest piece of vinyl ever made?
“This is a lot to ask from a man like me. Here’s what I can come up with in a pinch:
For albums:
Serge Gainsbourg “Histoire de Melody Nelson”, My Bloody Valentine “Loveless”, Primal Scream“Scremadelica”, Fleetwood Mac “Rumours”, The KLF “Chill Out” & The Orb “Adventures Beyond The Ultraworld”.
For singles:
Phuture “Acid Trax”, Sabres of Paradise “Smokebelch II” [David Holmes Mix], Marshall Jefferson “Move Your Body (House Music Anthem)”, Justice “Waters Of Nazareth” [Justice Remix], Underworld “Mmm Skyscraper I Love You”, Robert Owens “I’ll Be Your Friend”, The Chemical Brothers “Chemical Beats” and Frankie Knuckles presents Jaimie Principle “Your Love”.”
We tip your hat to your remix duties over the years, some inspirational work dude. You once said that “I am not going to say I believe in very band that I have touched their music, but at the very least I likes the track.” Who is the biggest artist you have turned down…?
“I was asked to remix Elvis years ago and I certainly tried but eventually had to respectfully pass on it as I couldn’t do him justice.”
Hmmm. So we come back to yours after the gig, what is the DMC Back To Mine 10 you spin us to freak us out?
“Flash In The Pan “Walking In The Rain”, Madonna “Holiday”, Fad Gadget – “Coitus Interruptus”, Donna Summer “Love To Love You Baby” [LP Version], Serge Gainsbourg “Bonnie & Clyde”, Benny Goodman feat. Helen Forrest “Perfidia”, Frank Sinatra “I Get A Kick Out Of You”, Fleetwood Mac “Tusk”, Jimi Hendrix “Are You Experienced?” & Gina X Performance “NO G.D.M”.”
The world is abuzz with dance music at the moment, who are the big producers around the globe you are giving high fives to right now?
“The Disco Fries have saved my musical life. Zedd is a maniac. Brodinski & Gesaffelstein brought Electroclash back! Botnek is going to rule the world in a year. Congorock continues to crush. Maceo Plex is killing it. Azari & III brings me back home to Chicago. Jan Driver is flipping Techno upside down. Doctr and my whole Brooklyn Fire crew are taking music to the other regions. Guetta is right where he belongs. Boys Noize is paving the new way. Switch is still in complete control. Super happy to see MK and Murk back in full effect. I could do this for hours…”
Great to see Australia coming into their own finally…who do you rate producer / DJ wise down under?
“Acid Jack, Wax Motiff, Northbrook & Yolanda Be Cool are all killing it; also newcomer Will Reckless. That being said everyone there has always been very kind to me and the long list of guys I didn’t mention don’t need my help as they are busy ruling the world.”
What is the diary looking like for Ibiza and the big festivals this summer?
“I’ve only been to Ibiza for IMS. My music has always been a bit out of sorts with Ibiza I suppose and I’ve never met a promoter there bold enough to put me on. I’m more or less taking this summer off to create. A Horsepower album, more than a few Tommie Sunshine singles, the follow-up to “Don’t Look Back” with The Disco Fries and a few other projects I can’t even talk about yet. Of course I’m sure the decks will lure me out of the studio at some point this summer. Keep your eyes peeled!”
And finally. DMCWORLD is known as the music industry bible – what advice can you give to the thousands of aspiring producers and DJs wanting to follow in your footsteps in this crazy world?
“Never listen to anyone about what to do or how to do it when it comes to your career; let your heart lead the way. Be prepared to suffer for your art and never focus on fame or money as neither of those make a man happy. I also highly suggest you fall in love.”
Thank you Tommie for your time.
“Thank you, much appreciated. It’s always a pleasure talking to DMC as I have so much respect for the organization.”
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