Tiger Stripes is definitely not a time waster. After the success of Body Shake last year in March, the Swedish DJ most recently released another two-track body groover in Body Trip. He also was responsible for our favourite remix of Maya Jane Coles’ ‘Weak’, so we spoke to Tiger Stripes about his success and future exploits. Check out the interview below!
RaverRafting: We absolutely love Body Trip! What were you going for when producing the two tracks?
Thanks! I guess I followed the vibe of the vocals on both tracks. ‘Body Trip’ has a slight 90’s feeling and ‘Machines’ has a touch of electro vibe in the mix. For me, vocals often bring the track to the next level. It’s the most interesting sound out there I think, the voice. We’ve heard most analog synth sounds by now, haven’t we?
RaverRafting: Why do you love working with Truesoul?
It’s simple. They are really nice guys, and they’re making music the proper way. Everything in the process is done professionally and with love. I know my EP will reach a lot of people when I do a release with Adam [Beyer]’s labels, and that’s what’s most important I guess. I’m lucky to work with the best labels around. Drumcode, Desolat, Hot Creations etc. are all fabulous.
RaverRafting: We also loved ‘Destroyer’ on the A-Sides Vol. 6, will you be working with Drumcode more?
When the right track turns up, I would love to. But I want to do Drumcode techno my own way and in my own style. I’m really proud of both ‘A Feeling’ and ‘Destroyer’, so yeah that’s how I do it. Loving house and techno equally, Truesoul and Drumcode gives me a wide range and are great channels for my music.
RaverRafting: Will you veer towards a more techno sound in future releases or can we expect more tech house from you?
House music is where I come from and something I will always return to. But I love doing techno as well and I love mixing both genres together obviously. I will keep on doing that for as long as I can.
RaverRafting: Do you still consider yourself an underground DJ?
Oh yeah. But when I play as a DJ and when I produce my tracks, I like to take deep and trippy tracks and sounds and make them accessible for someone who is not super educated as well. I try to do almost what Brian Eno did with Krautrock. With my own productions and the DJ edits, I make with fat beats, bass and breaks that I think anyone could dance and have fun to. I often play big parties and I want to try to include everybody in the room using the tools I’ve got. But it has to be deep, dark and dirty or I am not the right person for the job.
RaverRafting: How do you manage your label Strange Idols Recording on top of everything else?
It’s actually quite time consuming since I’m involved in almost every part of the process myself. But luckily it is worth the effort. I do the artwork, remixes, the mastering and I’m also often very involved in the productions and arrangements of the music, helping the producers trying to make the best of every track together. I think it’s super fun, working together with the artist and I’m really proud of what we have accomplished so far. It’s something I’ve wanted to do for a long time but it took me over 10 years to take the step!
RaverRafting: How would you describe the Stockholm electronic scene? Which genres stand out more than others?
Sweden is very trend sensitive so we follow trend setters, much like Berlin to be honest. I stopped caring about what other people think of my music though, and since then everything has been going in the right direction for me, and I finally found my own sound. So, to stop being anxious just to please hipsters is something I can really recommend actually. Jokes aside, these days I’m just trying to do my thing and not think too much about others.
RaverRafting: Are there any newcomers from Sweden we should be keeping an eye on?
Markus Enochson. He is definitely not a newcomer, but he has been away from the scene for a while and is now back with a great sound. I’m happy to have released two EP’s with him on Strange Idols lately. There are a lot of people that want a piece of him right now. He’s got a bright future.
RaverRafting: How will you be spending your Halloween?
I will have the weekend off DJ’ing, so I’m going to a 40th birthday party. I’m looking forward to that. As a DJ, you are away during the weekends when most people see their friends so I think it’s important to take some time off occasionally to hang out with family and friends. Also, I’ve got kids so there is another great reason to have a weekend in Stockholm once in a while.
RaverRafting: If you could pick one global electronic event as your favourite, which one would it be?
I love playing big events and big dance floors but I love a good small party just as much. “A basement a red light and a feeling” is all I need.
RaverRafting: Who is your favourite artist to collaborate with?
I like working alone and doing things my own way, but recently I’ve been working with Riva Starr and that’s been super easy and really fun. I think people will like what we have been up to lately. I can’t wait to release that actually. Apart from that I’ve already collaborated with Kerri Chandler so in my world, you can’t really top that.
RaverRafting: Can we expect more releases from you after the quick turnaround between Body Shake and Body Trip?
I’m always thinking about the next EP, but nowadays I wait until the right idea pops up until I put a track together. Then it doesn’t take me long. I’ve done all my best tracks and remixes in a day or two.
Connect with Tiger Stripes:
https://facebook.com/tigerstripesmusic
https://twitter.com/DJTigerStripes
https://instagram.com/tigerstripesmusic
https://soundcloud.com/tiger-stripes
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