New Cross quintet My Tiger My Timing carved out a few minutes from their hectic schedule to jump on the Shout4Music sofa and talk a little about their recent endeavours. And what a nice bunch of synth-pop pushers MTMT are, if we may say so! With their debut EP ‘I Am The Sound’ now released, the band are looking forward to next years festivals, a possible second album and working with their fave producer once more. Oh, but maybe not Prince’s sexual bravado first thing in the morning…
Hey guys, how’s everything in My Tiger My Timing world at the moment?
It’s busy, which is a good thing. We’ve just released our first EP ‘I Am The Sound’ through Pure Groove – it’s really exciting to have our own physical release out. To coincide with that we’ve released ‘I Am The Sound’ as a downloadable single which has an original track as a B-side and two remixes by May68 and Hook And The Twin. We’re also on the new Kitsuné Maison 8 and the Modular ‘Leave Them All Behind III’ compilations and have just recorded a cover of Arthur Russell’s ‘Arm Around You’ for the brand new Arthur tribute album. It’s the first cover we’ve attempted and we’re really proud of it, we’re all in love with Arthur’s dark pop, hence the name, and also the promo EPs for the album are on vinyl so it’s our first time for that too.
Can you give our readers a quick summary on the band members background?
We’re based in New Cross – Anna and James are brother and sister and grew up around the area and Gary, Seb and Jamie are from Accrington, Torquay and Crawley respectively and have all migrated to the big city over the years. We’ve all been in bands together before but never in this line up. My Tiger My Timing was really born out of all those bands dissolving for various reasons and we were the only ones unwilling to give up.
And then describe each member using two words…
Anna: Vibrant Length
James: Potential Energy
Gary: Powerfully Miniature
Seb: Chiselled Filth
Jamie: Hairy Teeth
Did you have a night out on the day of the recent single release?
We had an absolute blast actually. The release came at the end of a week of manic activity which took in the varied climes of Manchester, Shoreditch, Bristol, New Cross [pub quiz] and Smithfield’s Meat Market. The latter was our launch party at the Pure Groove shop where we partied the night away. We tried out a new take on the set using a drum machine playing calypso rhythms. It was a fun chance to play to all our friends and people who’ve had a lot to do with where we are today.
I’m sure you’ve been asked this a thousand times but for our readers, how did the name of the band come about?
We’re named after a tune by Arthur Russell. His music was a real inspiration to us when we first took this band to the drawing board. He uses hypnotic rhythms and some quite abstract melodies which is something we were really interested in incorporating into some pure pop restrictions. We had a long night going over and over various different ideas for names and in the end My Tiger My Timing was the one that struck a nerve.
You’ve got some great shows coming up soon at the Macbeth and Cargo etc…Which one are you guys looking forward to the most?
All of them! That’s not the most artful dodge of a question that’s ever been done is it? To be honest every opportunity to play to an audience is one we relish. The Macbeth is going to be great because we’re playing with Is Tropical who are friends of ours, and the Cargo show is for Modular so that’s going to be good too! Be @ Proud is always a massive night and we’ve got a show coming up in Brussels which is a bit of an unknown quantity – it’ll be great even if just for the ferry ride!
What have been the best shows you guys have played since you formed?
The Fleche d’Or in Paris was just insane – it was our first time out of England and the crowd were amazing. We recently had a great show in Bristol where people were singing back at us – that was a trip! Any show out of town is becoming an event for us just because time spent together in the van is always fun.
What are the plans with your debut album?
Do people still make albums? We’ve got lots of plans, we talk about it everytime we get together. By the time we get into a studio next we could record four thousand songs or we could work on four. I think we’re aiming for another EP early next year and an album maybe autumn 2010. What’s going to be on it is another question.
Producers lined up?
All I know is that Andy Spence is our first choice. We love working with him, I think he’s fond of us too….I hope.
Your aspirations for 2010?
Well it’s the Chinese year of the Tiger so anything is possible. We’re bursting with new ideas and people haven’t really heard most of the old ones yet. We’re going to do as many festivals as possible, we’re going to travel as much as possible, we’re going to write and record and just continue to grab as many of these opportunities as we possibly can.
Some quick questions for you…
Screamadelica of Parklife?
Parklife [although it's very, very close!]
Choppers or BMX’s?
Choppers
Fresh Prince or Carlton Banks?
Carlton. Always favour the underdog.
Nightrider or A-Team?
A-Team
Blondie or Iggy Pop?
Iggy
Rocky or Rambo?
Rocky. I don’t like Rambos ROI. It’s all a bit of a free for all.
NYC or London?
London! We’re not turning up our nose at the Big Apple but you can’t beat being at home.
Prince or David Byrne to make you breakfast every morning?
Byrne. Prince would probably try and make the most important meal of the day into a sexual adventure. I’m no prude but not while I’m eating Coco Pops please Prince.
The last track you played on your Ipod?
‘She Wolf’ by Shakira. So freaky, almost too slinky.
The band you can’t stop listening to at the moment?
Hook And The Twin. On record or live I think they might just be the most exciting thing to be happening right now.
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About the Author:
AshMeikle is the co-founder of Shout4Music. Experienced in online and print publications, He has written in both London and New York for publications such as; Q Online, SUP Magazine/Online, TourDates, Disorder Magazine, Disappear Here Magazine, along with Whisperin & Hollerin.
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