Timzed is an up-and-coming UK underground music producer to watch out for. He's just released the Ghost EP featuring six tracks available to download for free so we decided grabbed him for a quick chat...

Please introduce yourself briefly...

My name's Timzed, I'm an underground music composer from Harrow (deep North West London) and I also DJ and write for a london based art/fashion/music/street culture blog called Better Never Than Late. I don't do a lot of writing though.

When did you first try your hand at DJing and producing?

I've only recently got on the DJing ting, in the last year or so. I did used to mess around on decks at my uncle's house and friends houses as a child, but not on a serious level at that time. I started producing in 2005 when I started college. I can't even remember why I started. Think I just started looking at music differently when I left school and thought I'd have a go at making my own, enjoyed it and continued to do it.

What kind of stuff did you listen to while you were growing up?
Growing up I listened to every genre under the sun. Used to be a mad Michael Jackson fan as a young child, but got into all other types of music as I grew up, from Slipknot to More Fire Crew. I've been into everything at some point. I started raving at under 18 dances in Watford, but no-one at those kinda raves is there for the music, as you could imagine.??What styles of music do you make??No specific style, but when you listen to my tunes you can tell they're from a UK underground musical background. My tracks can sound similar to any genres depending on how I'm feeling when I make the tune. I'm trying not to get pigeonholed.

 

How would describe you approach to making music?
I like to start with melodies or chords to get a feeling for the track and build the rest around that. I like to create a mood for the track first and go from there.

 

Who would you like to collaborate with?

Wiley, Dot Rotten, Amy Winehouse, Alex Turner, Axwell to name a varied few.

 

What do you have coming out soon?

Gonna drop another free promo EP next month and a B-side remix of a track by a producer by the name of Turfa on the new All Caps London label (which is a clothing brand that will be going into releasing music as well as clothing in the not too distant future).

 

What are you currently working on in the studio?

Potential vinyl releases and more free download EPs.

 

Done any interesting remixes recently?

Skepta did a competition on grimeforum for someone to remix his single Bad Boy and I sent him the remix I did and it was one of his favourites. And I've done a remix of a track by Turfa entitled Go Back which is being released soon and my remix will be on the B-side, so look out for that one. I'd really like to get into remixing more though. Just waiting for the right opportunity to do some more official stuff.

 

What's the next challenge for you?

Keeping the work rate up and making as much good music as i can. I'd also like to go into songwriting for future projects.

 

What tracks, producers and labels are you feeling at the moment?

There are so many individual tracks that I'm feeling, from so many different genres that the list is endless. As for producers I'm rating Joy Orbison, Silkie, Joker, Synkro, SRC, Swindle, Mr Mitch plus so many others. As for labels Butterz, Hyperdub, Deep Medi, Numbers are labels putting out good music that's pushing boundaries.

 

What's the best piece of advice you've ever had?

Make music you like, and not music you think people will like.

 

What's the best piece of equipment you've ever used?

Technics 1210s. Because they've been around for so long, people under rate them. But in the underground music world there is no greater piece of equipment. Not a fan of CDJs.

 

Who would be playing at your ideal night out and why?

Wiley on mic 'cause few can ride the riddim like he can. DJ Oneman cause he's certified murkers, his selection will always shower down the dance. Marcus Nasty cause he also will have a deep selection of tunes and Mala and Pokes for the Deep Medi vibes.

 

Who would you like to play back-to-back with and why?

Joker. I reckon our sounds would flow together well on a set.

 

Got any musical gripes you'd care to share with us?

People who are making music that they wouldn't buy or listen to need to stop.

 

Anything else you want to tell us about?
Just look out for more music from me, and semi regular mixes from me on www.bntl.co.uk coming soon.

Photos by Matt Benson

Download the Ghost EP

 

Related Links:

• In The Studio: Genotype
• DJ Trax Releases Remix EPs
• J Majik & Wickaman Guest Mix
• Flux Pavilion Guest Mix
• Emalkay Interview

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