Beyond Noise Team
We Sat Down Exclusively For An Interview With Tough Love
Straight off the back of their 100th release on their already legendary Get Twisted Records Tough Love have teamed with Todd Terry to bring you ‘When You Gonna’ and we managed to catch up with the guys for a chat to find out more about the track, what’s been good!!
So, this epic duo has been in our library for the longest time and is responsible for some of the sickest tracks to date. But just how did you guys meet?
We were playing out on the same circuit in London. There was a common love for quality house music so after lots of talk we got in the studio together and that was over 6 years now. Back then we were just DJs, but now we run various businesses together and we’re good friends.
One of your biggest tracks is “Pony”. What was the process for getting Ginuwine on your version of “Pony” and how big was it that he even made an appearance for the music video?
Well, that’s the power of the internet and Twitter! Originally it was just a bootleg, it was getting hammered by DJs and had crazy streams on our SoundCloud. We tweeted Ginuwine letting him know and he tweeted back straight away. 5 days later, he’d flown to UK to re-record the vocal with us and we got to hang out and watch him in concert. We became good friends, spent some time together in LA for the music video and still keep in contact now.
Another banger to come from Tough Love, “So Freakin Tight”. What made you guys go with that R&B track to give a house spin?
We both love RnB, especially anything from the 90’s. Like ‘Pony’, these were just bootlegs for our sets, we tested ‘So Freakin Tight’ out in our shows for a year or more and it always had a huge response so we knew it had something special about it. Unfortunately, at the time, the major labels were so far behind and didn’t believe in the record like we did. We ended up putting it out on Get Twisted, it blew up and then all the majors were offering us deals! It’s a funny industry!
Get Twisted Records has so much dope tracks coming out. How did this label get started and what’s the highlight of having put this label together?
It’s really hard to say a highlight as there are so many releases that are special to us. It was really born out of the frustration of other labels not understanding our music or sharing our vision. When we look back over the past 5 years it’s mad. The first release we had Denney, Chris Lorenzo and Hannah Wants all on the same VA! It was way before its time. We’re just happy that we’re still trading and able to put out great records from so many great artists.
What is your opinion on the current state of House Music?
Honestly, we feel it’s oversaturated with fads and poor music. It’s too easy to put a record out today; it’s really cliquey and it’s not what house music is about. House music was supposed to open doors, bring a good feeling, love and togetherness. We think that’s been forgotten a lot recently. For us, every set we play is about making the crowd dance; every act we sign we try and include and have fun with on a social level. Let’s face it, house music is a lifestyle if you really emerge yourself in it.
That said, there are some quality records and record labels out there, and the UK is really having a moment right now. There is some amazing talent coming through that we’re really excited to see develop over the next few years.
What is your favourite non-Tough Love track to spin when you guys go out to DJ?
Armand van Helden – You Don’t Know Me
Dream person or persons to DJ alongside and dream venue?
Masters at Work at Warung, Brazil
You guys had an amazingly popular radio show on Kiss FM what prompted the change? Why did you leave?
We wanted to branch out. Kiss were good to us over the years but we wanted our music to be heard by millions across the globe and we wanted to focus on more underground music which represents what we play in the clubs. We now broadcast to over 2 million listeners a week and we’re just getting started.
2017 been a busy year for you guys, what’s been your biggest highlight of the year so far, other than meeting us, Obvs?
Haha yeah that night at Egg was good fun. Well, selling out Get Twisted at Ministry of Sound was pretty cool. Touring the States; playing a festival in the middle of Medellin, Colombia. There’s honestly too many.
You guys have been doing some serious bits this year, after such a big year, how do you top it? What’s next for 2018 for the label?
Trust us, we’re going to top it. We’re mega energised on the label – the releases coming are pure fire. There’s a new look and new direction and the same can be said for Tough Love. We’ve got some wicked records coming on Danny Howard’s imprint Nothing Else Matters, Toolroom and of course Get Twisted. Our festival season for 2018 is already looking mega and summer is shaping up nicely
Congrats on the 100th release on Get Twisted. What’s been your favourite banger from the label this year?
To be honest, it’s a record we signed called ‘I Need You’ which isn’t out for a couple weeks from Mr. Kavalicious. It’s huge and the response on it has mad! It debuted on R1 on Danny Howard’s new show; guys like Erick Morillo, Santé, Tuff London and Shiba San are supporting it. It’s going to do some serious damage in the clubs!
What can we expect production wise from Tough Love for 2018?
More focus, more music, more good vibes!
Tough Love & Todd Terry ‘When You Gonna?’ is out now on Get Twisted Records‘
Buy/Stream ‘When You Gonna?’ http://hyperurl.co/dlt0l4
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