Back To Back: Sasha and James Teej in Conversation

As a writer you try your best to get to know the artists you get the privileged attention and time of; it’s all about finding that extra new insight and truly doing their music justice in the way you present them. There’s also the added pressure not to ask veterans and the founders of electronic music as we know it those same questions that have been around as long as they have. So, no matter how much you do your reading and informed listening to get the edge on the artist in question; your research can never compare to a right good session in the studio or sharing stages, especially in a case like this, where the artists in question - James Teej and Sasha - have been working closely together over the last couple of years. Co-producing one of the latest EP’s for Sasha’a Last Night On Earth imprint, they combine the smoky vocals of Teej with Sasha’s advanced structures and smooth expert production. The two producers are also sharing the bill this Saturday in Room One in a special presentation of Last Night On Earth so we got them together for this b2b interview where we asked them to think up five questions to ask each other. The outcome was totally out of our control and could be anything to gain that never before heard insight or to lighten the traditionally serious journalistic tone and just have a good laugh with a sonic partner in crime… Sasha:Whats your favorite studio gadget/plugin/software? James Teej: Probably my Dave Smith Tetra. It has a great sound, is super versatile and is perfect for traveling with. I use it in my live show as well as pretty extensively in my productions. It's basically the same engine as the Prophet, but it’s 4 voice instead of 16... which is perfect for the palette I like to use. Plugin wise I'm a sucker for Native Instruments B4 plugin. James Teej: Have you ever found it challenging evolving yourself, your tastes and your music, when I'm sure many fans would like to keep you in a musical time capsule. Or, do you find that your fans generally are supportive of your musical journey? Sasha: When you’ve been making music for so long you’re bound to lose fans when changing directions, but also people connect at different times so I think it’s basically inevitable to lose fans. ‘Xpander’ has happened and I have to move with the times. I surround myself with good people and new talent to get new inspiration and ideas and to keep moving my sound on. Sasha: How do you get that vocal sound (apart from the Marlboro Reds)? Teej: I try not to over process my vocals overall, that way when I am performing live, it is close to what people hear in the studio recorded versions. Basically I use a chorus and light reverb. In the live setup I'm running the vocals through a TC VoiceLive Touch through an Avalon mic preamp which makes for a nice warm sound. James Teej: Was there ever a memorable key moment or point in time when you realised that electronic music would be or was your ‘job’? Has that ever taken away from what your passion for music? Sasha: The first time I was flown to the USA and to Australia I realised that these parties happening in the north of England had grown and become something really big, bigger than I ever thought would be possible. The travel side has been the most amazing thing – having friends and fans around the world is a wonderful thing to have in your life. Like any job it can wear you down like at the end of the Ibiza season when you really need to take some time out and re-energise. Sasha: Which is your favorite robot? James Teej: Definitely Voltron. One of my fave TV shows growing up. James Teej: Who were your initial musical inspirations and are they still inspiring you today? Sasha: The biggest influence on me was the Hacienda in Machester, going there when I was 17 and the scene just was exploding. The way the DJs were mixing there and the way they built their sets was something that has had the most effect on me and always will. Sasha: Have you ever experienced the Teej festival in India/Nepal? James Teej: Unfortunately no, but I have read about it before. Any women's festival is cool in my books. James Teej: As someone who plays all over the world a lot each year, are you still as inspired by the music and the people you hear and meet in this scene as you were years ago when perhaps your fame was just starting to grow? Sasha: I think electronic music over the last few years has seen an explosion in new talent, and new artists – it’s really bursting at the seams with great music. Everyone’s come through and they’ve got their own sound and have built their own niches. It is always inspiring for me to hear although I don’t always have time – if I get a weekend off then I don’t go to a club I tend to chill at home on that rare occasion. But things like Miami, playing at festivals and Ibiza are great for me to get to hear what’s going on – and it’s great. Sasha: Have you ever looked up the word Teej on the Urban Dictionary? James Teej: No, but I just did... never heard that one before, though I still have it better than being named BJ I guess..haha. James Teej: If you could work with any artist, living or passed, who and why would it be? Sasha: I would have loved to have made a record with Blondie in her heyday, but I was 6. She was my first crush!