Spearheading the new wave of stunning UK producers
Tim, welcome to DMC towers! Tell us about growing up in the Mason household, was it a musical family you grew up in?
“My older brother was really into his Acid House and Old Skool Hardcore so I used to listen to his tapes with him when I was growing up and quickly got the bug. My dad’s a real businessman, give him a few shandies and he’ll have a boogie though! I wouldn’t say a musical family, but there was definitely a lot of song and dance.”
What is the best and worst thing about living in Brighton?
“I love Brighton, fresh sea air, all the quirky places to hang out, eat and drink. This one time I was enjoying a drink in the sun with my friends and a seagull decided to try and ruin my pint, narrowly avoided my shirt and the pint and landed on my hand. I guess that’s the best and worse parts of Brighton in a nutshell, if you want to call it a nutshell…ha ha.”
Can you remember the first record that got you hooked on dance music?
“If this was a radio interview you would have heard me sing the piano part to Liquid – Sweet Harmony just then!”
A recent quote from you…”I live for those moments on the dance floor when everyone and everything is electric” – was becoming a DJ the only profession on the cards for you?
“Ha ha yes. I’m so grateful to be able to do what I do and not a day goes by when I don’t think that.”
What is the finest record you have ever played to a dancefloor?
“I’ll never forget the first time I played ‘The Moment’ to a crowd. To make a record that so many people love and then get to be able to play it to them and to see what they all do, even just thinking about it now I’ve got a big smile on my face.”
Did you know straight away you had created a legend on completing ‘The Moment’?
“I had a really good feeling about it but I would never make that assumption.”
How did you hear Steve Angello was after the track for his Size Recordings label?
“When I finished it I played it to one of my really close friends and we looked at eachother and said Size Records. Their office is in London, I went down there and made sure someone heard it and got a call the next day!”
Best piece of advice anyone has ever given you?
“Live for the moment…no seriously too many people spend too much time worrying about the future or letting stuff from the past affect them right here and right now. That stuff in the past, doesnt have any real effect on you right now, and that stuff in the future, isn’t happening now. When you get there you will deal with it in the best way and it wouldnt have been worth the worry. Live for the moment… and ‘Anima’ as well ha ha.”
Strangest request from someone whilst DJing?
“Can you wear my Darth Vader mask?”
What was the highlight of 2011 for you DJing wise?
“Hands down closing the Size tent at Creamfields. That was Huge!”
Best DJ set you have ever witnessed?
“Daft Punk.”
What is your current Top 10 you are spinning right now?
– Tim Mason “Anima OMG”
– Swedish House Mafia, Knife Party “Antidote”
– Michael Woods “Bullet”
– Coldplay “Every Teardrop Is A Waterfall” (Swedish House Mafia Remix)
– Michael Calfan “Resurrection”
– Aviici “Levels”
– Dirty South fe Erik Hecht “Walking Alone”
– Alesso “Raise Your Head”
– Tiesto, Steve Aoki “Tornado”
– Zedd “Stars Come Out” (Tim Mason Remix)
Other than music, what is your vice?
“It’s funny I just had to sit back on my chair and think about this one. Other than making music and DJing I eat, sleep and spend time with friends and family. I love a good burger. And I’m currently getting though Curb your Enthusiasm. I wouldn’t call any of this, or music, a vice though. Beer and Sex? Preferably at the same time?”
What is the most extravagant thing you have bought in the last year?
“Nothing that extravagant yet. I did take all my mates out to Nobu for a jolly though.”
We head back to your gaff after the club, what is the Tim Mason Back To Mine Top 10 you deliver us?
“After a club I either go to sleep or go to another party! Would be pretty similar to the top 10 from earlier. Maybe a few curve balls in there for a laugh like Kool And The Gang’s ‘Jungle Boogie’.”
DJ heroes?
“Definitely Daft Punk.”
You have a cracking remix collection under your belt already, what is your proudest to date?
“Zedd ‘Stars Come Out’ I’m really pleased with. I played it on the Anima New Year tour and all the sets were recorded, someone ripped it off there and it’s now on the internet somewhere!”
Do you feel there is a lot of pressure on you this year, many people are tipping you to be one of THE stars of the next twelve months?
“Ha ha wow! That’s awesome. I’m just doing my thing, it’s definitely a journey, the more people come with the more exciting it gets!”
What is your guilty pleasure tune?
“No guilt, pure pleasure. Avicii – ‘Levels’.”
What have you planned for us all in 2012 studio wise?
“I’m working on my third single at the moment, will be working on some more singles and remixes. Maybe some other bits.”
And finally, what is your main aim for this year?
“Live. Enjoy. Keep pushing forward. Recruit as many people for the journey as possible. DMC World… you with me?”
