Tommy Four Seven interview

Tommy Four Seven interview

4 July, 2007 | 2.52AM

• Written by: Mazi Namvar
• Filed under: Music News: brique rouge, david duriez, tommy four seven

Tommy Four Seven is the kind of artist that gives dance music its vitality. He’s a young Londoner who’s producing, DJing and singing (yes he’s already put his voice on several tracks) his way to tech house stardom. 

He released his first record just last year but has already built up a resume worthy of an industry veteran. 

He’s counted as one of the leading artists on the influential Brique Rouge imprint and has already begun to branch out to cool labels like Playtime, Love Minus Zero and the Word and Sound distributed Catwash Records.

Beatportal wanted to know what makes this young dynamo tick so we caught up with him between studio sessions and late night DJ gigs. 

You’re on fire at the moment. Where do you get your unending inspiration?

“My inspiration is always changing. It could be a night spent out somewhere, a particular sound I’m into or a day-to-day sound that inspires me (recently the sound of eating celery inspired me to record and use it in a production!).”

What are the key elements to writing a Tommy Four Seven tech house gem? Tell us a little bit about your method and what software/hardware you use.

“When writing, my usual method is to build the percussion first and layer the track from there.

“Once I am happy with the beat and melodies, I carve it to form the arrangement.

“I will then begin to add detail to the track layering FX, working on some tricks or removing elements that clutter.

“I use Logic Pro 7 as my sequencer running on a 2GHz Dual G5 Power Mac.

“My sound card is an M-Box 2, which I bought a couple of years back as it was the most cost effective way to buy into Pro-Tools, which is handy to record and it is the most precise for editing audio. I also use Mackie HR824s monitors.”

Your music has been a big hit on Beatport. What do you have upcoming on the remix and production tip?

“My next release is a collaboration with Mark O Sullivan, titled ‘Nowhere’. Its due out in the next month on Kill Brique.

“Mr Duriez’ camp is also releasing a remix EP of my 2006 release, ‘Eat Me’.

“This will feature remixes by Mike Monday, Justin Robertson, House of Black Dress and me on Brique Rouge.

“On the remix front up and coming mixes are due out for Mike Monday, Josh Wink, and Sucker DJs.”

You’ve accomplished so much in such a short time.  How old are you and how long have you been involved in the music biz?  Where did you start?

“I’m 20 years old and have been into DJing and producing since I was 12.

“However it was with my DJing that I first got my big break when I landed a weekly residency at Fire Club in London when I was 17.

“Playing weekly allowed me to learn a lot about DJing and I applied this to my productions especially when thinking about arrangement.

“I was soon sending my productions to labels and Brique Rouge gave me my first break.

“David Duriez has been very supportive ever since. I’ve also had releases with iO Music, Love Minus Zero and Catwash Records.”

Your music is detailed and shows a high level of maturity. Where did you pick up your production skills?

“Since I was 12 I have always taught myself how to use various music programs, working my way up to more complex platforms.

“After college I decided to take a degree in music technology to expand my knowledge and develop skills in recording bands, and producing music with film. 

“In relation to electronic music, it has definitely helped with my mixing techniques and understanding of how a particular sound has been created.”

How are DJ gigs going for you? Any upcoming gigs we should know about?

“I have some great gigs this summer including a label night for Kill Brique at the T Bar in Shoreditch London, a Brique Rouge party in Amsterdam, my debut in Manchester at the Music Box and in September I’m am very excited to be playing three gigs in Tahiti, which is known as a paradise island, I am taking my girlfriend along to that one!”

What’s your take on the digital revolution in dance music today? How would you characterize download culture?

“It is a very interesting time and I feel that the digital revolution has brought many benefits to the industry, such as giving more people the opportunity to start selling their own music online to a global market.

“However the lack of quality control and money spent on aspects such as mastering has meant there is an influx of records with poor sound quality.

“I think we are fortunate in the dance scene that people are still prepared to pay for their music downloads, especially DJs.

“Other scenes are slipping further into a ‘won’t pay’ download culture, this is my main concern and I think we all need to think of ways to work around this.”

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• Check out Tommy on Beatport