Upclose with TC1 & Stress Level
TC1 & Stress Level are a UK drum’n’bass duo who keep it “real” by retaining their “real life” jobs. Separated from his deck partner for the next week or so before their Hong Kong gig, a lonely TC1 talks to Natasha Stokes about why he doesn’t get off on “sexy.” Weirdo.
HK Magazine: Wouldn’t you rather play solo and keep twice the money?
TC1: Well, Graham [Stress Level] is in Beijing now and it’s quite weird working without him. So, no the money thing isn’t that important. We also both have other jobs beside DJing. It works out well because it means we can always keep the music as a hobby instead of relying on it to make us money.
HK: Vinyl is dead. Discuss.
TC1: I never thought I’d say this, but I reckon it’ll die in about five years. It’s a natural progression, especially with what iTunes and online music distribution are creating. And programs like Final Scratch makes DJing so easy. It’s not a big deal – but the music still sounds the same. I just hope people continue to buy music from download sites, and not download illegally. The money is already very little in drum’n'bass because it’s still underground.
HK: Is it? You can hear drum’n’bass on stuff like National Geographic.
TC1: That’s true. I guess drum’n’bass is becoming more commercialized. But honestly I don’t reckon it’ll ruin the scene because drum’n’bass has seen this before. People have been ripped off by the major labels. But being bound to a label and unable to write any other music made people wary. So I’m all for this so-called commercialization thing. Anything that gets the music to a wider audience.
HK: Do you think we’ll soon see manufactured DJ groups?
TC1: I pray not. Music is music - I don’t get off on glamorizing it, creating some sexy image. There’s already been this DJ idol-type program in the UK and Roni Size was a judge on it. I wouldn’t be on it. Wouldn’t be a judge either. I’m just not interested in standing in front of a camera, talking rubbish and trying to be nice about someone’s crap performance. Or kissing their ass when I actually like what they play.
HK: What if you manufactured your own DJ?
TC1: I guess that DJ would have to have integrity. If I ever trained someone to be a DJ, I’d just make sure they had a sound knowledge of and love for music and knew how to mix records and control the crowds. I suppose if I wanted to appeal to the masses, I’d have a hot female DJ who played a lot of Pendulum.
HK: Does your mom like your music?
TC1: Um, she tries to because it’s her son. But she’s proud of me because I’ve got a CD and it’s got my stupid face on the front. She’s got the CD on the wall. She keeps asking me if she can come to the shows, but I have to fob her off. She’d probably get really drunk, fall on the records and then tell everyone how cute I was when I was six years old.
