Landslide, London, England - The Official Interview, 2002

Name: Landslide aka - Tim Land
Age: 30 years old
Sex: Male
Born:March 25th 1972
Location: Greenwich, London, England

1.For the not so clued up person in regards to the world of Soulful House and Garage, UK Underground music could you tell us how you got started in this game? Who is Landslide?

Landslide is myself Tim Land. I have been producing as a solo artist for about 4 years now. I have always been pursuing music which has taken me through various bands / projects / companies etc.

1a. Who or what had the greatest influence on what you listen to today?

My influences stem from an array of experiences growing up in London - I spent my childhood listening to Classical music and English Folk music - was exposed to hip hop and electro while at secondary school and' discovered' house music during late eighties. However I think the greatest influences on me now were discovering and truly appreciating Jazz music as a teenager and the influence of Classical music. 2. Who was your first musical hero?

Probably Chick Corea during the mid eighties - I bought a lot of those 'Electric Band' albums. These days I prefer his earlier work. The mid eighties Jazz-fusion scene disappeared up its own a*** where hopefully it will stay!

3. Its mentioned that you first love of music was through being introduced by your love of "Drumming". Has beats and drum patterns always intrigued you?

I didn't get to play the drums till I was a teenager and it was probably as a reaction against my classical upbringing. I find that drumming and beats have a very different emotional effect than that of harmony and melody. I find the 'hypnotic quality' of beats really addictive.

4. Was was your first musical interest regarding Dance music?

Going to Acid house parties in the late eighties - however I wasn't totally sold on it until I had a few 'experiences' which made it so much easier to understand!

5.Had you, or do you still dj? Or was it a case ( and still is the case) of making the music - pure and simple?

I've been DJing for about a year and a half - I started only relatively recently because I got sick and tired of sitting in a studio on my own while other Dj's would be playing my music - pulling birds and earning loads of money. Unfortunately birds and money never seem to come my way but I have got out of the studio and seen parts of the world I wouldn't have seen otherwise.

6.Your first record deal how did that come about with Hospital records?

I met them through a friend when I had just started to make Drum and Bass music. I did a little bit of work/production for them at that time before being offered a deal about a year later.

7. You haven't been into the DANCE MUSIC scene that long? What was your musical life, back in the middle 1990's when it came to Dance music coming from London. Was it like what it is was today?

I've not been known on the dance scene that long - true - (about 4 years). However I've been heavily into it since the late 80's. Before making dance music I was trying to pursue a pop career in a band - (oh the shame of it!)

The dance music scene has definitely got better and more sophisticated these days but lacks that mad hedonism of the early days. There weren't as many genres back then so there was a greater collective experience surrounding it.

8. Were you and are you still a big listener to the London pirate radio scene. Did you like to keep up to date with the newiest sounds on the dial?

I always make a point of listing to the pirates when I drive around town. What they lack in proffessionalism they make up for in energy. My favourite one (don't know the name) you can get when you drive on the west way. Its right next to Classic FM on the dial and the two mix together to make this wicked classical breakbeat garage sound. I was so disappointed when I realised that it was not a new garage movement but two separate stations.

9. Drum and Bass has played a huge part in your musical development with. However, so has the Brazilian Bossa nova, Acid Jazz and Broken Beat scene. Did it take you time to appreciate these styles? Or have you always secretly liked them. Did it take you a while to truly appreciate other styles other Drum and Bass?

I was listening to Jazz / Bossa / latin music long before dance music and Jungle / Drum and Bass.

10.Your first record was with the London Label called Hospital records. It was a 12 inch release called "Buddah"/"Drum & Bossa", which was cut with a host of deejays from Frost, Fabio, Blame and Aquasky, to Cut La Roc, Gilles Peterson, Jazzanova and The Trüby Trio. The double A side posed funky drum&bass against roughneck Brasilian breaks - a taste of the Jekyll&Hyde attitude simmering in the studio. Were you pleased with the results?

Yes - Drum and Bossa (the track) was an experiment to mix bossa beats / musical styles with Drum and Bass production. I think it worked - pity it didn't inspire a movement though - I suppose you have to come from Brazil to do that.

11. Such was the success of the 12 inch that you were given the chance to make a album called "Drum+Bossa". It a full rich mix of 2-step jazz to off-beat house, vocal acoustics to bossa breaks. Was this an experimental time for you in regards to making music?

Totally - I indulged myself in fusing together my favourite genres.

12. Your fusion style of Brazilian Beats, 2-Step Garage and a touch of Drum and Bass seems to have got everyone excited about your work. From Jazzanova to Tom Middleton.Are you going to continue to experiement or do you think you've found your sound that you have been working on?

It's always important to experiment and I hope I continue to do so but I think I have a recognisable sound now that will be identifiable whatever the music is.

13. My first introduction to your work was when I was listening through a pile of records in London's Blackmarket records. I noticed a track called "Hear my people". And as soon as I heard it. I thought, "Yes". I was really stunning.

Beautiful 2-Step Garage music. Really blissfully. A bit like "Sincere", but just a touch ( only a touch!!) harder!!. Are we going to see more of this style of 2-step Garage from you in the future?

Hear my People has all the ingredients that I like - I have more of that stuff in the pipeline.

14. More with regards to Uk/2-Step Garage music scene. Currently there seems to be a divide as we speak within the scene. There are those that prefer the Soulful approach to this music(*Artful Dodger, M.j.Cole, etc) And there are those that prefer the BreakBeat, HipHop and Drum and Bass style to the music now being called "Breakbeat Garage" music (Heartless Crew, So-Solid Crew, etc). Are you comfortable with all styles of 2-Step Garage coming out of England at the moment. Or do you prefer one style over the other?

I like both be it soulful or hard (preferable mixed together!) Too much of anything becomes boring. It's all about quality music.

15. The Album called "Sincere", by M.J.Cole shook up the world. Have you a copy of the album in your record collection. Is he a fan of yours as he is mine?

Mj Cole, England is probably the biggest garage influence on me. It was his music that inspired me to make my first 2 step track.

16. Do you like the travelling that is involved in this type of work. It seems very glamourous going from one town to the next, but is it? Have you done much travelling this year via your Djing work?

Travelling about is a nice touch and seeing the world and meeting new people is awesome, especially people who are interested in your music. I went on a little tour of the US in Feb this year(2002) that was really nice.

17. BBC Radio 1 seems to be championing the cause of dance music within the Uk, and is going from strength to strength. Is do we have to be careful that dance music is being over played? What are your views?

Radio 1(England) has definitely got better (apart from their glut of nasty house DJ's). The only problem with the increase in dance music on the airwaves (predominantly daytime) is that nasty commercial accessible tunes have a habit of getting play listed and could (rightly so) put off audiences for dance music who wouldn't be exposed to the better quality but less commercial tunes.

18.Have you performed out in Ayia Napa, Cyprus before. Is there a chance of you going there this year to perform?

No and I don't think I ever will. I'm to leftfield for Napa ; I couldn't imagine a promoter booking me.

19. Unfortunately there seems to be a rise of "moodiness" within a few Uk/2-Step Garage clubs of late in England. Is there anyway around this. Can something be done to try and stamp it out?

To be honest I've only ever been to one proper Uk Garage'rave' and indeed it was well moody. People were trying to rush the door to get in and once inside every body was all stares and kissing teeth. The music was wicked but the attitude was rubbish.

I think they should ban garage music for a couple of months and only play hard house and trance. After the ban people would be so relieved they would be nice to each other - and if there not then enforce another ban !!

20.Todd Edwards (New Jersey, Usa) is a constant inspiration to many people around the world, and especially within the Uk via the the Uk Garage/2-Step Garage fans. His sound hasn't really changed that much. Why such a devotion to him from the Uk? Are you still "Down with Todd's Sound"?

To be honest I'm not a massive fan of the 4 x 4 garage sound - I prefer MAW to Todd Edwards

21. You are producing even more so nowadays. I believe that you have a new record deal with Om Records, who are based in San Francisco am I right? If so how did that come about?

Hospital licensed Drum & Bossa to OM records. They released the album several months after the UK version and the US version has many different tracks on it. Hopefully they will take my second album too. I've always been a big fan of OM and their 'sound' - Quality music!

22. Since you have been with the Om label, you have produced a couple of mixes for the group that sounds as if they were made for you. They are called "Soulstice" - from San Francisco, USA(*Aren't they?) How did you two get together?

You really do sound as if you are made for each other. They seem to produce the Deep House mixes, and you provide the 2-Step Garage mixes that have that same feel but the drum patterns are different. Both are so lush though....

Are we going to see more work from both of you in the future?

I've only done one mix for them - 'Fall into you' and really like what they do. Watch them closely - I've heard some of their new stuff and its dope! Would love to work with them again but they are in San Fran,Usa and I'm in London,england.

23. As we have mentioned America above. Do you like the vibe out there especially when it comes to making music? Do you feel that you are helped more out in the Usa ( Musically) than you are here in England?

I've been impressed with the response I've had in the US - it's anything but big but its still impresses me that people in another country are feeling it. My musical home is the UK and only since travelling about the world a bit have I realised it. We may have bad weather and we have rubbish showers and plumbing but the UK is No.1 for dance music - so there.

24. Are there any plans of having your own record label; and will it a label to use so that you can release your own mixes on it; or to help other artists to do the same?

Not as yet.

25.In your opinion who do you rate as one to look out for in the future (DJ Wise?) Who should we keep an eye out for! From your own country? DJ/ music artist/s producer and from what you have heard or seen from abroad? DJ/ music artist/s producer.

Dj's that have impressed me recently from the Uk Garage scene are J Da Flex and Hatcha. Both have loads of energy and play with attitude. My real fondness for Dj's are perhaps the older crowd of Jazz heads - Giles Peterson - Patrick Forge - Ben Wilcox etc. just because of their sheer eklectivness and ability to go from one style to another.

Favourite producers at the moment are - Zed Bias - EL B - Oris Jay - Seiji - Mark Force - The Streets - High Contrast -

Abroad are - Mondo Grosso - Abstract - Rodney Jerkins - Jazzanova - Swell session

26.It seems as if the "Back to 1995 raves and Soulful House and Garage nights" are back with a vengence. Is this going to continue do you think especially in London, England? Do you like to club?

I like to hear new music - themed revival nights should be kept to a minimum!

27. The country of France are making everyone sit up and take notice with their brand of beautiful, deep and groovelicious Deep House music t. One group that impresess me the most, and are from France, are called "Playing for the City". Are you fan of Deep House music in general, or is it too laid back for you? You style is not too far away from it. The only difference it seems that you prefer to use via the Drum patterns - a break beat feel instead you seem to use more often than not?

I like certain deep house producers a lot and generally have a selection in my record box. I like deep house but its got to be good an not just noodle away into oblivion. The French can be masterful at it unlike their recent football!

28. Is there any thing left that you would like to achieve within Soulful House Garage, or 2-Step Garage music scene. Anything at all?

2step Opera with MC's

29.What is your relationship with the Press and Media? Do you like giving comments out or doing interviews. Even though we are doing this right now? Do you feel comfortable doing interviews. Or would you like to be left alone to just to create music?

I'm actually Tim's press agent - he refuses to talk to press directly - he's far too important and busy for such trivial matters.

30. Is there any chance of seeing Landslide at any Big festival events this year. Glastenbury for instance???

Summer of 2003 will be the next time to catch Landslide live at any Festivals - did the Big Chill Last year - lots of fun but hard work and bugger all money in it.

31.Have you got any advice for any aspiring record label producer, DJ or club owner within the world of House and Garage.Any rules that he should adhere to? Be respectful to old people and don't drop litter.

Interview conducted by Landslide - London, England and Carl Brown, Ipswich, England

All rights of the text and the images belong to Carl Brown, Ipswich, England and Landslide, London, England.
If you which to use any of this interview. Please contact us. Copyright laws apply.