Interview by Fidel Trotman
Welcome guys! you’ve both been DJ-ing on the party scene for a good few years now, can you please tell us how you got together?
We were DJing on the same circuit for a while and we always talked about getting in the studio. Around 6 years ago we started making records together and then everything fell into place pretty naturally. We both have a strong work ethic so Tough Love reflects the ‘Tough’ work for the ‘Love’ of music.
Being London based producers, who or what inspired and influenced the style of music you play and produce?
There’s so many…and we obviously have a love for all forms of house music, but we’re heavily influenced by 90’s Hip Hop, Rn’B and Garage so the likes of Tuff Jam, Sunship, Todd Terry and Roger Sanchez were always in our collection.
Your collaborated with Roger “The S-Man” Sanchez and Boy George on ‘Hold On’, how did that come about?
We’ve spent many sessions in the studio with Roger working on various tracks we’ve done together and we actually have another collab in the works at the moment. ‘Hold On’ was made in our studio in London and Boy George had already sent Roger the vocal so we were buzzing to get to work on it. Every session with Roger is super special, he’s a friend and a mentor to us and we always seem to make great records when we work together. Other stand out moments include working with guys like Ginuwine, who flew to London to work with us and we didn’t know what to expect. He was on such a level, the ultimate pro and so relaxed.
Tell us a bit about your forthcoming album ‘Past, Present, Future’ and the singles already released. What can we expect from the album and how long does it take to deliver a well executed album?
The album is a chance for us to show our musical journey and to showcase our skills as producers, songwriters and on occasions singers. It’s probably the best reflection of Tough Love, our sound and love for dance music. As artists it’s really important to us that we’re given the freedom and flexibility to explore different sounds and this album does exactly that. There are some big collaborations on there, records which are built for the dance floor and a few that we wrote for the mornings after a party where you actually just need some easy listening. We’ve been blown away by the support for the first few records ‘Like A Drug’ and ‘Animal’, which have been really well received and have set up the album really well. The thing is with making music there is never really an end point…an album is finished when you decide to stop tinkering with records!
You’ve both worked on various remixes, do you have a favourite re- work and what’s makes it so special?
That’s a tough question…we’ve remixed a lot of artists we grew up listening to and we’ve had some pretty successful mixes but for us being asked to remix Jamiroquai was a real honour….
Do you have a favourite piece of studio kit and what makes it so integral to your sound?
To be honest no! We have a few go to Vst’s but the most important thing is to turn up to the studio with a willingness to be creative without boundaries and to experiment.
What have been the 5 pivotal moments of your career and what makes these so special?
- ‘So Freakin’ Tight’ – it was our first UK Top 40 and opened up a lot of doors for us
- ‘Pony’ – It overcame so many hurdles to cement our second UK Top 40 and enabled us to work with an Rn’B Legend
- Signing to Island records – a label with great heritage and history
- Opening Get Twisted Records – it’s become our baby and over the last 5 years it’s grown rapidly into a highly respected dance label
- Signing to Warner Chappell publishing – being recognised for our production and songwriting which has in turn helped us work with and for a lot of other artists.
Your “Get Twisted’ party has been running at Egg LDN for nearly two years and what have been your favourite moments so far and what is it about the club that works so well for Tough Love?
There are so many great memories and we’ve had some brilliant guests over the years but to be honest what makes these nights so special is the energy that the crowd brings. There is something really special about our crowd. They’re very very loyal and always come to throw down at a real house party.
Lastly! What 5 tunes never leave your box?
- Armand Van Helden – ‘You Don’t Know Me’
- Stardust – ‘Music Sounds Better With You’
- Kings Of Tomorrow – ‘Finally’
- Marshall Jefferson – ‘Move Your Body’
- Tori Amos – ‘Professional Widow’ Armand Van Helden Mix
All the above embody what house music is all about…timeless feel good vocals with unmistakable grooves.
Get Twisted presents Tough Love with Special Guests, MJ Cole, Blaise, N:Fostell and Nastaly on Friday 2nd June at Egg Ldn and all info on www.egglondon.co.uk
