Spruce Lee can mix. He can also dance a little. He's also a pretty good glassy when called upon to help out. And, boy, can he make some damn fine tunes. He was one of the founding members of RoShamBo and under his new guise of Toni Toni Lee, has an EP out this week as the first release from the Sounds Of GOODGOD label. I decided to try and find out how many men were hiding behind the beard and black frames. Hmmmm.
I always like to start off with the RockWiz questions – first LP and first concert?
The first LP I ever owned was Michael Jackson's 'Dangerous' when I was in primary school. The first concert I ever saw was the Porkers at the Mundowie Music Festival (!!!) in the mud with a bunch of bogans in Berowra!
When were you first turned onto electronic music? Was it right from the start and if so, what was the artist/track?
I always listened to a diverse range of music when I was growing up. I played classical guitar and violin and performed in chamber ensembles. When I got to high school I started playing in bands but it wasn't till university where I was studying contemporary music that I first started listening to electronic music. I guess before that I was a 'live music Nazi'. The first proper electronic music I listened to was when I was 18 or 19 at some of the last Frigid nights at the Newtown RSL. They were great.
When did you start clubbing? Was the first time an ‘outer body’ experience?
I never really went 'clubbing' until I started to DJ. Even then we used to hold most of our nights in pubs and live music venues. But the more I DJed, the more I started working in clubs and the more I appreciated them. I guess I've been a 'clubber' for three years now.
When was the ‘divine’ moment that made you want to get behind the decks?
Me and my buddy Sleater Brockman (also of RoShamBo) were sick of hearing Jeff Buckley at house parties so we both got together our Discmans, a couple of shitty belt-driven turntables and a really old stiff mixer and set up shop at our friend's house where we used to have parties. It all kind of started from there!
Were you part of the vinyl era or mp3 revolution?
I kind of grew up with vinyl and CDs. Me and a lot of my friends were in this 'in-between-point' that straddled both the vinyl, CD and mp3 eras. Vinyl wasn't dead when we started DJing but it was on the way out. That probably explains why I play a combination of wax and CDs these days. I must say though, in the last two years I've bought more vinyl than I ever have in my life and I don't download anywhere as much as I used to when the blog 'boom' happened.
What style do you play now and how has your style progressed over the years?
It has always been quite eclectic which is a bit of a hindrance sometimes because I'm not easily pigeon-holed. I've always played rap, reggae/dancehall, 80s funk, soul and more recently have developed an interest in deeper house and old disco records. I used to play a lot of classic Baltimore club, Miami Bass and Baile Funk which I still love today, but as I've gotten a bit older, my ears and brain can't really hack the pace anymore! Recently though, I've gone back to my love of 80s funk and I think this is mainly driven by my love of synthesizer-based music - it just makes me feel good.
When did you sign with the Modular DJ agency and how did that help your career?
It was probably about two years ago, just after I started a residency at Bandits at Club 77. I sort of crossed over into a more club-sound and people were starting to take notice. Being on the agency was great. It took me to places I would never have gone before and I got to travel around Australia and make lots of great friends. I got to meet and learn from some of the best DJs around, so that was pretty cool.
When did you first start producing? What software/hardware do you use and can you remember the first track you ever made?
I started producing music in my bedroom when I was 17 on an old Pentium PC with Soundforge, my guitar and a bunch of loops! I think the first proper track I made was out of a drum loop, a bassline and about ten layers of my vocals! It ended up getting onto some independent labels when I was 19!! Ha ha ha. I had a small studio for a while last year, but I'm back in my bedroom using Ableton Live, an old mixing desk and a bunch of drum machines and synthesizers.
How long has it taken you to get together your debut EP? Tell us about the music on it?
You could say it has been in the works for about a year but it has changed direction and sound so many times - not because I'm a flake and want to do the cool sound of 'now', but because I've just been working out how I want my music to sound. It has really come together properly over the last two months with the help of the amazing Jimmy Sing (maestro-about-town). The music covers a lot of ground with elements of house, club as well as some very G-funk and 80s boogie moments. I'd say the EP kind of sums up what I've been doing in the past and pointing to where I want to go in the future. If I was pressing it on 12", it would totally be a two-sided affair with a different vibe on each side.
So tell us about Jimmy Sing and The GOODGOD label?
What can I say about Jimmy Sing!! He and Hana Shimada (his partner and talented artist) are Sydney stalwarts. They've been hosting and organizing independent events and art shows in awesome alternative spaces around Sydney for years. Jimmy used to own one of the best vinyl record stands in Sydney and has impeccable taste and vision for music and events. Jimmy, Hana and Amy Tamblyn opened GOODGOD Small Club over the last few weeks and is one of the only true independent nightspots in Sydney. Sounds of GOODGOD, the record label, is still in its fledgling stages and my release is going to be the very first on its imprint. Stay tuned for future releases!
And lastly, an easy question - fave dance track of all time?
It's hard to say but I think 'You Can't Hide Your Love' by David Joseph would have to be one of my all time favorite tracks to dance to. It's pure XXXtacy.
The launch for the EP called 'Toni Toni Lee:The Intercom' on the brand new label Sounds Of GOODGOD hits GOODGOD Small Club (Liverpool St) on Friday night starring Spruce Lee alongside mates Bad Ezzy, Huggz and Jimmy Sing. Limited edition CDs will be available to purchase on the night.
Night night.
Mark.
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