Chris Lake

This year’s second issue of Toolroom Knights is all about the big house, with Tocadisco and Chris Lake in residence. The double line-up means double the fun, no? Cologne’s Tocadisco takes over CD1 of the mix with his trademark banging house and techno, brushed off with that bit of electro, while Cream Ibiza resident Chris Lake jacks up the bpm on CD2 with tunes from Riva Starr, Michael Woods and Stefano Noferini, as well as his own exclusive tracks like “Amiga”. With every inch of that house done and dusted, Tocadisco and Chris come together for this brief catch-up.

How’s 2010 been treating you two?
Chris Lake: I’ve been writing new music like crazy and doing a few remixes along the way. Now it’s time to get a lot of this music out there for people to hear. I’ve been doing my monthly podcast, collaborating with various people like Michael woods, Deadmau5, Lys, Nelski, Nightriders, Funkagenda etc. It’s always good to vibe with other people and have fun with your music.
Tocadisco: It’s getting crazier every year! I’m building my companies now. I was very lucky when I met my wife. She understands my passion for music and is getting more involved in the business side. We already launched our party TOCACABANA, which goes hand in hand with the TOCACABANA RADIO SHOW, which is broadcast on several radio stations around the world.

And now you both have got a Toolroom Knights mix to boast about! We’re hearing a diverse range of sounds on it…
CL: Crossing genres in my DJ sets I feel is one of the signatures to my sound, and something I’ve always felt is important to separate me from other DJs on the circuit. I like so many styles of dance music that I find it difficult to feature everything I like into two hours.
T: I wanted to represent the styles that I play when I DJ. I love to work with different styles. You can also see this in my productions and remixes. It’s always different from the one before. I don’t like to repeat myself.

Tell us also about some of the exclusive numbers on the mix.
CL: Well, “Amiga” is more of a visit back to my older sound, as it’s quite progressive in style and approach, but with a 2010 twist. I got my wife to do a few little bits of chanting for fun, and I liked it so much that i left it on the record. It feels like a good end of night record as it’s quite euphoric. I’ve also put my next single called “Minimal Life” on there, which I made with Nelski, a fantastic new artist from the UK who also sings. I’ve got some wicked remixes of that track in by filthy rich and DJ people since I mixed the album which are really really good too.
T: I remixed the track “Stoppover” by Mark Knight and Dirty South. I know both the guys and we always bump into each other at festivals. I liked the track. It’s different and I had a lot of fun remixing it.

Tocadisco

Both your sounds never fail to be energetic, whether it be a club hit or an underground number – would we ever see a slow dark moody and tripped out track from either of you?
CL: I’ve done tracks like this in the past, and I’ve done some downtempo stuff as well. Check out my track called “Communicate” and you’ll see what I mean.
T: Yes. I m not a big fan of dreamy dance music. I probably would hear this kind of music at home. But for me a DJ set or a good dance track has to be powerful and push you forward. I don’t want to go to a party to relax. I want to go to let myself go. I always loved the energy that dance music has. It’s basically just some beats and bass combined with some other sounds… It’s magic…

How do you feel about the resurgence of a very original house sound in 2010, and are there any artists around at the moment that are really catching your attention?
CL: I love the fact that house is back. House is mostly about positive vibes, though there was a slightly negative side about the sound in 2009. House alleys makes me feel good. As for exciting producers, I’m loving artists like DJ pp, Funkerman, Siwell, Lys, Imbernon, Coyu etc – loads of great music out there right now.
T: I think there are many new talents out there. And I have the feeling that at the moment there are so many good tracks out and a lot of different new evolutions. Institubes “Sound Pelligrino” label from France is doing great stuff at the moment – very different.

www.myspace.com/djtocadisco
www.myspace.com/chrislake1

Images & interview courtesy of: Kish