In a relatively short time, Tim Green (Cocoon/Get Physical) went from hopeful bedroom producer to tech house savant. With support from the likes of Sven Vaeth, it’s no small wonder Tim Green’s rise to prominence has been so swift. In truth, he’s just getting started: with recent releases on Get Physical and Jaymo & Andy George’s Moda Black, Tim Green shows no signs of letting up. We spoke to Mr. Green about his dynamic sound, upcoming projects, and the state of British dance music.
Tim Green will be playing U Street Music Hall this Friday, July 13th, alongside Simon Baker, Beaner, and Lxsx Frxnk. Doors open at 10pm, entry is free before 11pm for ages 21+. Entry for ages 18-20 by presale only. Purchase tickets here.
How did you get your start in the dance music scene? How has your sound changed since then, and how would you describe it now?
I started simply by sending off a demo CD to some labels in the post. Never thought I would get a reply. Got quite a few responses, but the best was from the UK label four:twenty who signed three of the tracks on that demo CD. That ended up being my first single release. Since then, my sound has always changed (I like to think anyway). In the past, I have played around with various different directions, from deeper stuff right through to big room stuff. Now I think I’m possibly settling on a more deeper side, but I bet it wont last [laughs]. I much prefer to push myself and try new sounds for each track or remix I approach.
In just six years, you’ve had releases on storied labels ranging from dirtybird to Cr2; from Southern Fried to Cocoon; from Defected to XL, and now you’ve got another on the way for Get Physicial. How has it been to be able to release music with such well-respected labels for the entirety of your career? And what has it been like to work with the artists therein?
Its been great to work with these labels. The biggest challenge for me has been trying to find labels that accept me releasing different sounds and directions on different labels under the same [Tim Green] name. A lot of labels don’t always like this, as they might prefer for an artist have an alias when it’s a different sound from what he/she has been releasing before.
Tell us about your forthcoming EP on Get Physical, “Quiet Hour.”
These tracks are again a bit different from what I have done in the past. More musical, with a bigger focus on feeling within the track. Also, they’re possibly a bit more simple in structure and approach. I’ve tried to simplify the tracks, rather than over complicating them like I usually do [laughs].
How does it feel to be a part of an emerging bass-infused house sound in England, which you yourself helped form in no small part?
I’m not really sure how much I am a part of this sound, to be honest. I love the ‘bass-infused sound,’ as you call it, right now, but I am definitely not flying the flag for it. I think the English underground dance scene has always generally been ‘bass-infused.’ A couple of my first influences when getting into dance music were drum & bass and speed garage, which are noticeably bass infused. So I think that’s why I connect with this new sound right now. Honestly, I am into all different sounds and styles: disco, techno, minimal, house and all the sub genres therein, whatever they may be. I don’t really like to pay attention too much to one sound. I like to have a wide pallet and interest in all the different producers and great sounds out there in the underground dance scene. I think there are good and bad tracks in all the different styles and sounds. This is how I like to be in my DJ sets also; I happily jump between different sounds to keep it more interesting and make it more of a journey.
Who is your favorite producer from the aforementioned bass/house scene at the moment?
Of English producers pushing that sound that I’m really into are probably Coat Of Arms first. Plus both of their own productions separately, Chris James and Dan Pearce AKA Eats Everything. Also Maxxi Soundsystem is killer.
Which track is your weapon of choice this summer season?
It changes every week. Right now it’s a track called “Brotherhood” by a new artist called Marc Faenger. Great driving tech track!
[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/46244735″ params=”auto_play=false&player_type=tiny&font=Arial&color=000000″ width=”100%” height=”18″ iframe=”false” /]
What can we expect from your upcoming set at U Street Music Hall in Washington, DC, on July 13th?
A diverse range of good underground dance music!
What’s coming up for you in 2012 and beyond?
I have been finishing my album recently for the last couple of months, which is a totally different sound and project. It will probably be under a different name as it’s not dance music really… But that probably wont be out until next year. So for the dance music stuff I have been taking a bit of a break from it all. I have a remix coming up on Supernature for Claudia Lovisa though, as well a new track coming out on Lee Burridge’s new Get Weird label later this year. That track is a bomb! I have been playing it out for about six months now. Otherwise, I’ll be looking to get back into the studio to finish some more dancefloor tracks ASAP.
Tim Green
facebook | soundcloud | twitter