Getting Closer to Ty
October 11th, 2006 by rui
With a superb new album dropping, we put the hip hop maestro on the couch to play word association…
Inspiration?
Whole bunch of different people inspire me, but watching and doing are two different worlds. When you’re on stage there’s almost a different calculation – people look at you and figure you out. What inspires me is being an up-and-coming artist and having to work harder than the main stage artists.
Collaboration?
I cut bits of cloth from all over the place. I’m not an organised collaborator – I don’t set out to collaborate, I set out to finish songs. My producer head is music driven. Every single person I’ve worked with, I personally call them in.
Production?
It’s 50/50 between me and Drew. There’s not a thing that happens when I’m not there. People don’t know that I produce but I’m deep down and dirty, almost too much in control. I’m completely gadget driven, too. I’ll buy synths off ebay or abroad. Find them, buy them. I’ll sit in the hotel room playing with a stylophone, a Speak+Spell. I bought the Indian Yoga Chime that’s on ‘Closer’.
De La Soul?
They were brilliant to work with. I’m a fan. I know and have been in studios with them before so I’d seen the whole process. I’m used to being the midst with them in the studio, so my stuff was just the next stage.
Production secret?
Try different samplers. I like the 3000 and tend to audition drums on one, but go to a 1200, or a 2000. It’s good to shift between laptop to mpc to wherever. Don’t get caught up in staying on one machine. The same samples on a 2000 and 3000 will sound different. In the UK, it’s better to be pedantic because people don’t expect it to be *that* good. Lately we’ve been sampling snares and claps and using the sounds you wouldn’t expect to hear.
Best gig?
It changes, but at the moment it would be Berne, Switzerland – just an amazing gig – like a homecoming at a big hippie commune. At least 2000-3000 in the club and the energy was electric. It was heaving before we went on and when we started people were moving like I expect them to move at the end of the show. It all went ridiculous. Eska played 2 songs on her own and it was a concert, not a show. That, and Montreux Jazz Festival 2004.
Studio vs stage?
Both. They complete different ends of the spectrum. Being in the studio means nothing until you see what it looks like, and feels like live. Being live is the best indication of what you need to do in the studio. Recently in Berlin we performed ‘Closer’, I’ve got two versions – we tested the new version and they acted like they all know the songs. That feeling when we were in the studio, has been endorsed by the audience already. What I saw in Berlin was a horrible indication of what’s to come – people were really in there.
The Mercury nomination?
The biggest impact was finishing the record, the Mercury was one of the ripples. People thought we might have a classic when it dropped, and I’m glad Mercury picked up on it, but i’m happier that people picked up on it. The saddest thing is that I’ve fully experienced the glass-ceiling that is there for a rapper in the UK. I was at that level, but no-one was explaining why i wasn’t asked onto Jools Holland, why no playlisting on daytime radio… I was in the dressing room next to Franz Ferdinand when I realised we’re in two different worlds. No matter what good music I make. I’m being judged on something different. I’m talking about the ‘Music Industry’ here, not the media, nor the fans. I’m not moaning – but I’ve noticed nobody says this cos they want to sell records, but the audience should know.
Festivals?
Some festivals you don’t want to be there – too muddy! When you’re in a big group, it’s harder to stay. So many people to cater for, so it’s hard, especially abroad.
The Big Chill?
I’m used to having to get audiences to pay attention and get them riled up, I’m used to having to get people going. And I remember at The Big Chill people didn’t need to get going! Some people wanted to get up and dance but some wanna just cool out and I’ve tried to bully them into dancing in front of me!
Selling the merch direct after your shows?
If I can, I’ll do it. It’s not always easy, but i enjoy doing it.
Myspace?
Yes! I check it every couple of hours. I’ve been travelling all over for so long, and Myspace brings all the people I know together to communicate. It’s like a big youth club where all my friends from all over the world leave messages and it shows the world my global perspective. I felt that I’d been trying to tell people about myself and people were like ‘hmmmm, yeah…’ but now Myspace shows everyone who you know.
Funniest thing you’ve read about Ty?
I don’t really read the reviews, so i don’t even know. No, wait – the funniest thing I heard ‘Ty’s album is really hip hop cos Root Manuva’s album didn’t sell. As if I have to follow Roots Manuva. How dunce is that!
Listening to right now?
Sigor Ros – came across them by accident. Love them.
Time machine – where/when?
Back to Ancient Egypt to see for myself what was going on. I’d like to know who was doing what. Greeks did what? Egyptians did what?
Fat girls dipped in marzipan?
Excellent.
What are you getting Closer to and are you getting Closer to it?
It depends – I’ll see on the 16th. Whether people pick it up or create a problem.
And now The Forum asks…
Cheddar or Red Leicester on toast? (dave&kitty)
Cheddar
Do you go down on the up beat? (simon green)
If I can.
Do you consider yourself a hip hop artist? (duck)
I consider myself a hip hop music artist.
I’ve never heard of you. Why should I listen to you? (benj)
Everything you hear is dictated to you. I’m different – dictate yourself.
Favourite Kit Kat?
Lime. Or Orange.
Thanks Ty!
Tytube
