Your new single: Out of Control – what’s the story?
“I met drum’n’bass producer, TC, in St.Petersburg, Russia at some mega rave. He had just released some inspiring drum’n’bass. I wanted to make a house tune with a heavy bass-line in a drum’n’bass style, and he agreed to come to my studio in Brighton. Once we got the sound cooking in the studio, he laid down the vocal. Very pleased with the result.”
You stand accused of kick-starting the scene now globally known as “electro-house” – what say you?
“Don’t know if I can claim sole responsibility for that – we didn’t know it was “electro house” at the time. In 2002, Pete Martin and I started releasing these tunes with simple, sexy grooves and big, edgy bass-lines – they were earliest Coburn singles on Frontier records. This slightly tougher, druggy house sound then quickly became known as ‘electro-house’.”
Why did you stop Coburn?
“Coburn has not stopped, but we are on well-needed sabbaticals. “We Interrupt This Programme” got us round the world several times and it legacy of experimental audio-editing fused with anthemic tunes has been taken up by a slew of producers.”
You produce and engineer your own music, right?
“Guilty as charged – been releasing records since 1996. Though this year I have worked with a load of different producers too. Lucky enough to have my own studio in Brighton, its a great space with views of the ocean.”
Where were you for New Year?
“Ridiculous night in Brazil – 3 gigs across the country, private jet required to get between them. The first at a beach with Paul van Dyk in Rio de Janiero – 1 million people! And the last gig on the beach in Ubatuba – great party, 1,500 people… From the ridiculous to the sublime.”
What else are you up to?
“I’ve got a slew of dance singles and remixes out in 2009 coming on Menu Music and In Stereo, and an album that I am just placing, plus the usual production for bands and acts and the endless DJ touring. Oh, and a production sample CD on Loopmasters that’ll be out shortly.”
How would you describe what you play as a DJ these days?
“Damn fine music: free-style alternative house. Its super-trashy ghetto-electro with a good dollop of tech-funk. Big bass-lines and solid grooves, with a healthy dose of anarchy, baby.”
Tim Healey Feat T.C ‘Out Of Control’ is out beginning Jan on Big & Dirty Records.
Tim Healey ‘Ghetto Blaster’ is out on In Stereo and ‘Look At You’ is out on Menu Music 2009
