Tiga interview

Tiga takes our minds to another dimension...

Bugged Out!’s Johnno chats to Tiga ahead of his set at The End this Thursday.

Johnno: This is to be your last gig at The End before it closes. Will you share some memories with us about your past gigs there?

Tiga: My first memory of the club is hearing the name The End and thinking, ‘Oh that's clever’. I had booked Mr C and Layo over the years in Montreal, and was excited about this new concept club. It seemed to be THE 90's club. . In general, over the past seven years The End has been our home in London. My best memories are the Trash nights - I think I played Trash about four times and I never had a lame gig. I tested lots of tracks over the years, and the reception was consistently accurate. My top night was the ‘Sexor’ album release party with Altern-8. I remember meeting the Pet Shop Boys in the backroom, and then I think I passed out in the coat check with YOU of all people!  

Actually, I came to wake you up with a reviving ginger beer so you could finish off the party! What have you planned for this Mind Dimension party? Is the name of this party and the name of your new single in any way related?

You mean OTHER than the fact that they have the same name?! What I have planned is to show up, with Matt Walsh, and play all my best new records. Including several from my new album, which will be world exclusives. The name itself just refers to the fact that I am primarily concerned with the dimension that exists in my own head.

Your second album is pretty much in the bag. How does it differ to the first one? Will we hear any tracks on Dec 4th?

I will play ‘Mind Dimension’, a new one called ‘What You Need’, and depending on how loose the crowd gets, possibly one of the new disco epics. The album is great, I love it. In fact, I adore it. It is still quite dancefloor oriented, with a strong disco element, and some very spacey pop moments. I am quite proud of the fact that I don't think it fits into any category.

Do you have a ‘look’ for the second album?

I am currently testing a few looks: ‘evil-archeologist-decadent-colonial-sleazebag’ is fighting it out with ‘blonde-arms-dealer-with-a-heart-of-gold’ to see who graces the cover of my next opus. Inside track right now goes to that French guy from Indiana Jones who works with the Nazis.

You last played in London at T Bar in May last year where you met Matt Walsh who warmed up for you. You have since taken him on at Turbo. What lessons has he since learnt from you?

Lessons from me? Hmm, I guess you would have to ask him. A crude understanding of Canadian geography? How to write your own press releases? I like to think he's learning the true meaning of ‘pace’ on the football pitch.

Turbo has become a force to be reckoned with in the last year or so: Popof, Brodinski, Proxy...where did you find these young pups?  

About 18 months ago, I finally convinced my brother (who is seven years younger than me) to join the Turbo braintrust and his involvement has been a huge part of signing new artists and scouring the internet. Popof was 100% my brother. He pushed hard for Popof and really believed in him from day one. Brodinski, we always liked, and after I met him, I knew I wanted to work with him much more. It was a little bit like with Matt, just meeting somebody who loves techno AND can relate to Ed Banger. I seek out people who have the confidence and taste to bridge gaps - I’m all about unity y’know! Proxy was a classic 21st century A&R story. He just straight up sent us a track on MySpace, and I fell in love instantly. We also have tried to combine the new guys with the veterans: Jori Hulkkonen, Jesper Dahlback, Cari Lekebusch, Ed DMX and Chromeo. It’s all working out perfectly.

How involved are you now in Turbo or has your brother ousted you from the top table?

My role is pretty much the same as it's always been. I make all creative final decisions. Me and Thomas both bring potential tracks to the table, and then we both have to like it. I spend most of my time working on the artwork, and doing all the writing and press releases. I am the ideas guy: names, colours, concepts etc. But it is also a team effort. Thank God, I no longer have to really talk to anybody or deal with labels or distributors or anything like that. I never get my hands dirty.

Do you have a round pine table in the Turbo office with bottles of sparkling water for the meetings where you all make the big decisions  - like whether Proxy should have a ‘The’ in front of his name or not?

We have a table. I am in the office so rarely, that my presence alone cause amusement. I talk to Oliver (my manager, and the interim Turbo manager) about 30 times a day. So we are always going through things. Thomas sends me lists of things I need to do. We meet when I am in town to go through music, decide on tracklistings, names, outfits, etc. I make most of my key decisions on airplanes or in hotels.

How much do you prepare for your ‘My Name Is Tiga’ podcasts? Or do you just do them on the fly? Which is the favourite topic of discussion you have discussed?

It's 100% on the fly. Can't you tell?  I did radio when I was a kid for about 10 years so I don’t even think about it, talking on air and basic programming is second nature. That being said, it would be good to prepare! I usually just have a bunch of songs that I want to play: a balance of new, old, underrated and Turbo. I love discussion - period. I would actually love to just have a talk show. As a DJ, it’s so exciting to be able to explain something about the music, not just play it.

Time Out are going to be in the lounge on Dec 4th celebrating their 40th birthday. What’s your fave record from 1968 when they started?

1968 was my favorite year ever. When I think of ‘68 I think of The Russians getting kicked out of Czechoslovakia (I think), the Chevy Camaro and of course the Lamborghini Miura. As far as music, that’s the easiest question I've ever been asked: ‘Astral Weeks’ by Van the man. It took him about 20 minutes and I have listened to it 3000 times.

 

Published: 1/12/2008

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