I had the opportunity to chat with Tiger Tooth about their latest track, the visual elements that are incorporated into their music videos and performances, and plenty more. You can find the interview in its entirety below, and make sure you check out the EP released soon!
1. First off, mind introducing yourselves to our readers and how Tiger Tooth was started?
Tiger Tooth was conceived during a 5am slam poetry-interpretive dance session at our old East Village apartment. Sofia wandered around the apartment in her night gown with a mic attached to a broomstick reciting William Blake’s “The Tyger” while Will and Johnny experimented with dark techno beats. We were in the midst of some serious techno benders at that time and being the creative lil hornets we are it just made sense for us to start banging out house and techno ourselves. Having a strong love for the visual arts especially video, we wanted to incorporate that as well by making it into a full multimedia project.
2. I know of your rock background, how did those influences play into the formation of this dark, slimy, techno that we hear now?
Even though we were playing punk music live we all always had a love for house and techno. It was the main style of music pumping out of the tour van. We have made several albums of various styles before this but had always wanted to make an electronic record. It was big learning process that we just threw ourselves in the mix and started doing it. We would take graveyard shifts at The Submarine studio in Brooklyn and see what came out. I think if anything the influence of us playing rock music was it gave us the inspiration to put out a complete album rather than a continuation of singles. A cohesive body of work straight out of the gates. The DIY element of punk rock was especially inspirational and something we carried over into this project. Every element from music, art, video, websites, label and more we do ourselves.
3. How does that translate into the visual elements of “Tiger Asylum” and making your first impressions on an audience?
Music in general and especially dance music can be just so disposable in the digital age so we wanted to incorporate music videos for as many tracks as possible so it had a imagery attached. It so much more effort but having a complete DIY multimedia project is also much more interesting. In terms of imagery we share of mutual love of absurdism and ridiculousness so thats the starch and the music is the protein.
4. ”Tiger Asylum” was our appetizer, what can we expect from the EP out in just a few short weeks?
Our next EP “Tiger Tiger Tooth Tooth” will be coming out March 18th on our own imprint “Baby Tooth”. You can expect a bouncy vocal induced sound for the namesake lead single with a body shaking drop, almost the birth child of a Baltimore Club track giving birth to a techno monster. B side Shadow Art is a creepier acid number and very cinematic. Could be the soundtrack to a techno Film Noir.
5. Obviously enjoying the EP, but what else can we expect in 2016?
We have a full length 15 track album set for release June 10. Plus a lil re-rub of a Leonard Cohen track we did. Sounds strange but it works and gets filthy. We are DJing out in NYC as often as possible at the moment and want to take it on the road and do some touring. More videos to drop and just a continuation of putting out music and videos and art. We will be signing some artists for our label Baby Tooth and putting out music we love.
6. Given that visual artistry is a huge theme, what could audiences expect from seeing Tiger Tooth in person?
As of now it is mostly DJing clubs and grimy warehouses scenarios but we also include live modular synthethizers at some shows. We are working on live visuals and on some gallery shows that Sofia is involved in.
7. Electronic music has a far reaching impact, how do you see the culture, and more specifically, techno, evolving with the times?
I kind of see the underground style of house and techno that we make as being more of a constant than anything else. I think the huge bubble and pop of EDM isn’t really effecting the underground scene so much and it really has been pretty constant. Obviously generations change and add their flavor but in terms of the music being made I think it’s been pretty much an ass shaking constant since it’s invention.. The internet obviously has made it so much easier to connect and distrute music but its also made it more difficult to stand out. I love house and techno and feel like other styles of music like punk rock that its anti-hero, DIY ethos very much appeals to me.
8. Any advice for up and coming djs/producers?
Stay organized, subscribe to the postmodern school of YouTube University, make allies in the your scene, don’t be a dick and be passionate and prolific.
One big piece of advice I think goes with any creative endeavor is to be responsible for the work not the outcome. It so easy to get caught up or distracted by validation that it can sidetrack what’s the most important which is of course making the work itself. Whether or not something is received well or successful is really second to being a prolific creative being and giving work to the world. Not because I think it will get me something but because deep in my heart I’m happier when I’m doing it and want to give something back for all the great art I’ve enjoyed in my life.
9. Final thoughts?
The homie Shakespeare said it pretty well. “Love all, trust a few, do wrong to none, make techno”
Hit us up if you want to do a remix! tigertigertoothtooth@gmail.com