Tiga talks Techno Pop, Mad Rave and his Glasgow Obsession.

Just in time for you to get the detox done and dusted and out the road, Show brings Tiga back to Glasgow to take you right back to square one. Turbo’s top man makes his Sub Club debut and we are certainly excited for it.

Tiga has always been an international man of mystery. From being there at the start of what was once known as electro clash to playing back to back at Melt Festival with top man and DJ Seth Troxler.

https://soundcloud.com/landr_music/tiga-vs-seth-troxler-b2b-melt-festival-1

He has gone from being on German top of the pops glamming it up to making tracks with Mathew Dear as Audion. To say he is somewhat of a chameleon wouldn’t be far off the mark. His return to Glasgow has been beyond overdue and after most of last year trying to nail a date, it’s finally here. After reading some interviews with him and checking out his now infamous Twitter and becoming completely enamoured by him, we thought we should catch up with him and give him some questions about where he’s at right now…

A Resident Advisor article described you as a techno evangelist and a synth pop heartthrob 5 years ago. Which of these would you say is closest to being on the money today?

That’s so 2010. lately i’m gunning for Techno Pop.

As with a lot of people in your position, the standard move is to pack up and move their shit to Berlin, Barcelona or London to further their career. Why was this not your buzz? Going by the success you have had this seems like it was the right move. Was this unbelievable foresight or a testament to the talent that is Tiga?

As is often the case it was a mixture of genius and accident, in unknowable proportions…. so lets just go with genius. Truth is I always liked being apart, and I always liked the idea of leaving the party. I think on every level it is crucial to remain somewhat isolated, and it always felt natural to me to keep a foot in my home town. I also love Montreal. I also despise moving. 

Montreal Summer

Reading an article, it would seem you were in to ‘rave’ back in your younger days, How did that filter through to Canada? Obviously it was huge in the U.K, was this the case across the pond?

In Montreal it hit hard around 93. We had a strong club and warehouse scene before that, but it was 93 that really saw the rave scene explode, and that was my youth. I could not have possibly been more involved. I think it was probably very similar to what happened in the UK…I think the acid house and rave evolution followed almost identical patterns in those years. 

You have almost reinvented yourself a couple of times and stayed absolutely relevant without changing too much or moving away from who you are. Are you conscious of this and is it difficult to do so?

The difficult part is coming up with good ideas. If you can come up with good ideas, everything else is kinda easy. Its vital to truly care very little about how people think of you. Confidence is super important, and the confidence to be yourself. also, luck plays a massive role. and dont take yourself too seriously. Tis is like a self help manual. 

Do you prefer (smaller) clubs or larger venues when you are playing?

It changes with the times and the style of music. I tend to like smaller clubs more, just because for me they tend to be better parties…. But obviously a massive party where everybody is going nuts is great as well. It depends on what you want to play. It’s hard to get 8000 people all heads down trippin’ to some deep acid….. and it would be borderline offensive to try and slam a room of 200 with mega hits. 

Tiga Exit Festival 

How is Turbo looking at the moment? Do you have anything exciting upcoming? 3rd album?

Yes I have a third album but it’s so late that I stopped talking about it. Should be this year…everything with Bugatti kinda sidetracked me a little. I should have a new Tiga V Audion soon as well, and some techno singles, as well as a follow up to Bugatti, then the album. Turbo we should have another Clouds 12inch soon, a new Duke Dumont, and some new signings. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9-YLiryqWDM

How sexy is Mathew Dear’s voice?

You mean when he says things like “Tiga, let’s redo that hi hat pattern baby”

How does someone who’s job entails lots of late nights and potential over indulgence stay looking so young? Is it the influence of French culture?

No guilt. No nostalgia and sleep like a baby. 

You haven’t played the Sub Club before, as far as any of us can tell, but you have been in Glasgow a few times. Whats your take on the city? Have you heard anything about the Sub Club?

I thought I had? Anyway. I love Glasgow… and I’m not just saying that. I have a minor obsession with Scotland: from Annie Lennox to Simple Minds…and Glasgow is my fave city (and fave accent in the world.) Hard to explain why exactly…but I love it.

This long-waited return to Caledonia is well overdue and with the boy wonder Theo Kottis returning to his home away from home after a wee month off and Illyus for the warm up duties, we’re all set. Last of the advance tickets on RA or at Tickets Scotland.

15:41 • 29 Jan 15