FAULT Magazine in conversation with TCTS
Despite a seemingly endless string of musical endeavours, producer and DJ TCTS continually pushes the limits of creativity with every release. For his latest track ‘RICH GIRL’, he teamed up with the equally creative CHAMELEON LIME WHOOPIEPIE for a track which sees both explore new heights of their respective musical disciplines.
With the track continuing to wrack in the plays and much to discuss, we caught up with TCTS to discuss his music, his journey and of course, his FAULTs.
You collaborated with CHAMELEON LIME WHOOPIEPIE on your new track, how did you come to working together?
Japan is my favourite place I’ve visited, and I’ve always loved the idea of collaborating with a Japanese artist and blending our styles together and seeing what happens. I came across Chameleon Lime Whoopiepie on New Music Friday Japan and loved her vibe, its really fresh and vibrant. So then our teams got connected and I sent some beats to her, and we wrote Rich Girl remotely across the internet during lockdown. It was actually a surprisingly easy process, as soon as I heard a rough sketch of her vocal idea I knew it was going to sound great.
You’re so busy performing and hosting the radio show, is it difficult to find time to work on your own releases?
Sometimes stuff can get hectic for sure, but I like to be busy and find it helps with staying creative. Like if I’m struggling to get a record sounding right and feeling frustrated, then I’ll go off and do some preparation for the radio show, which usually makes me feel inspired and creative again, so it all feeds together.
It’s been nearly ten years since your first breakout release, what’s the biggest change you’ve seen in yourself as an artist between then and now?
I’m just super aware of how much I’ve grown as a producer and a songwriter. I wrote those first records in my bedroom in Manchester, I hadn’t really collaborated with many other producers and songwriters at that point – it was just me ripping acapellas and samples off YouTube and making house beats around them. I was so so lucky to get picked up by BBC Introducing and get exposure from that, but I was still finding my sound and learning to be a solid producer, which all takes time. I feel like I’ve learned the most from being around other musicians and collaborating.
You recently collaborated with Nonô, what’s the one thing you look out for when looking for vocals which compliment your production style?
My favourite thing about Nonô is her energy, she’s a total star. I met her at a session in London on the day we wrote Sorry, our first tune together. Immediately I loved the energy, she’s insanely talented and both a wicked writer and singer but its her energy in the studio that makes it really fun and brings a record to life. Sorry came out nearly a year ago and seemed to resonate well with people, so we did our second tune together Off My Mind which dropped recently.
Your Spotify streaming numbers are really high, do you ever stop and think about all the 1.1 million monthly listeners you receive?
I definitely can’t wrap my head around it and feel incredibly grateful for everyone who listens #
What’s been the best advice you’ve ever received?
In the music industry? Get a decent lawyer.
Do you work with long-term goals in mind or do you prefer to go with the flow?
I go with the flow
What have you done to benefit your mental health this year?
I got a puppy and cut out caffeine, both of which have greatly benefitted my mental health and helped me stay level in the crazy couple of years we’ve had. But more seriously, I’ve been trying to be really mindful of my mental health for the last few years now, working out what lifestyle choices/decisions/people have a negative effect. We’re constantly bombarded by social media / the news / life in general, so it’s definitely important to have the tools to help if you’re feeling anxious or overwhelmed. Whether that’s breathing apps, or meditating, seeing a therapist, whatever works for you.
What are you working on right now?
Right now I’m working on some new music, getting it ready for 2022. There are some exciting bits in the pipeline. Also getting tunes ready for my set this weekend at Ministry of Sound with Purple Disco Machine, KC Lights and more…
What is your FAULT?
Taking too much notice of other people’s journeys and comparing myself to them, when it’s much better to put your energy into concentrating on your own journey.