24 March 2014 (released)
08 March 2014
DnB label Playaz' young upstart Tyke releases his hotliy tipped EP 'Closed In' on 24th March, featuring collaborations with producer Alex Prestige. We caught up with him for a quick chat and found out what analogue gear he owns and which walls he has scribbeld on in the name of art.
MUSIC NEWS: How did the collaboration with Prestige come about and what’s it like working with him?
TYKE: Well me and Alex have been working together for a good few years now, i think its coming up to four. I enjoy working with him as we bounce off each other pretty well and i think our ‘track’ record together speaks for itself, most of my best work has been alongside him. Us living in different countries may also help us as we can work in our own time and space – all be it together. He is extremely talented in my opinion and its a breath of fresh air working along side someone that shares the same views and opinions on music as yourself and i think thats why we work so well together.
MUSIC NEWS: A self-confessed analogue junkie, what’s the most expensive piece of kit you’ve bought recently?
TYKE: I’m not a big fan of letting people know exactly what I’ve got at home! I bought a valve compressor a few months back which is worth nearly £4,000 and featured on all my ep tracks, but saying that so did a dusty old compressor of mine worth about £300 and that still sounds just as lovely! It is true I’m an analogue junkie, I love the character that every piece of equipment gives, as though they have a story themselves they want telling in the music.
MUSIC NEWS: You began as a graffiti artist, what’s the last thing you tagged?
TYKE: I used to enjoy graffing, i think as a youngster I had a lot of energy and demanded a lot of attention and graffiti gave me that opportunity whilst at the same time learning to be creative. The last thing I graffed if I remember rightly was a memorial In Kentish Town for a friend of mine who passed, this was around 10 years ago, time flies! But I still draw now and then when I’m waiting around and there’s a pen an paper handy, it’s just a natural reaction!
MUSIC NEWS: Who are you listening to at the moment?
TYKE: I dont really listen to much dnb at home but saying that – Potential Badboy, the guy has been in the game for so long and there isn’t many who have continued to release such great soulful music over a lengthy period. His new tracks have really been a breath of fresh air for me, some wicked vibes on them and shows that these days some drums and rolling bass line is all you need to achieve true dnb vibes!
MUSIC NEWS: And finally, how did you get on with your Driving Theory Test…?
TYKE: Hahahaha, someone’s been keeping up to date with my tweets! I passed 49/50 and on the hazard perception 50/75! Considering i am the most un-studious person and loaded an app on my phone to practice on just 48 hours prior.. I think its pretty good going! I’m really just happy that i didn’t have to spend another thirty quid on another!
More about Tyke at http://playaz.co.uk/artists/tyke/ and pre-oder 'Closed In' from Playaz.co.uk now
