INTERVIEW: Two Legs — Music Musings & Such

INTERVIEW:

Two Legs

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I have been learning more about Two Legs…

and his terrific new track, Grin. He gives me the lowdown on the song and talks about the possibility of more music. I ask where we might catch him play and the artists who inspire his sound – Two Legs recommends some upcoming musicians we would do well to follow.

I was keen to ask what music means to Two Legs and what he hopes to accomplish before the year is through; what he does when not making music; three albums that have made a big impression him – he shares a favourite memory from his time in music.

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Hi, Two Legs. How are you? How has your week been?

It's been the best week of my life. Thank you for asking.

For those new to your music; can you introduce yourself, please?

Hello everyone. My name is Two Legs and I produce Electronic music and I sing - and it's really great!

Did you watch the England game (semi-final) in the World Cup? What did you think of the result?!

I watched all the England games; it was great fun. But, ultimately, there are thirty-one losers in the tournament and we just became one of the many.

Your single, Grin, is out. Can you tell me what the story behind the song is?

Grin is my first co-written release. The verse was written a few years ago by my mate Francis Kershaw under the alias 'Odd Socks'. Then, recently, I was making some beats and his verse line popped into my head. I then worked on a chorus, structure and, luckily, Francis approved of the final product.

The track is about letting things build up internally without speaking out about how you feel. In that sense, it looks at how our whole world is internal and how rarely we get to see this hidden part of each other in any full clarity.

It is your third release of the year. Do you think there might yet be more material arriving before the end of 2018?

Yes, definitely. The attention span of the music industry moves so quickly; you have to keep up with it with regular releases. I've got loads of demos, so I'm just fine-tuning a couple to get ready for release.

Are there particular musicians who have inspired you and contributed to your own sound?

Lots. Bands like Phoenix, Foals; Wild Nothing and Beach Fossils. Then, House/Techno/Ambient Electronic musicians like Moderat, David August; DJ Kose and Kiasmos etc. I've got a lot to thanks for those guys.

What do you hope to achieve by the end of 2018?

Worldwide fame, rehab; a glorious comeback and then rehab again.

Will there be any tour dates? Where can we see you play?

Yes, for sure. I'll be playing at the live residency I curate at Archspace in London called Limbs - a night created for live Electronic music. There are a few more options in the pipeline also.

Have you got a favourite memory from your time in music – the one that sticks in the mind?

My first gig with a band I was in during school. At the start of our final song, we threw many, many Jaffa Cakes into the crowd which then got chucked around a lot. The venue wasn't best pleased.

Is it possible to convey what music does to you and the power it holds?

Not entirely. I always find words can never really describe a track or how it makes you feel. That's why I quit music journalism: because attempting to describe music is inherently futile. Not to rain on your parade or anything - keep it up!

Which three albums mean the most you would you say?

Tycho – Dive

Always gives me shivers and a mega-powerful sense of nostalgia to summer when I was eighteen.

Kings of Convenience - Declaration of Dependence

The songwriting and use of space are unbelievable.

It's not an L.P., but an E.P., by Benoit & Sergio called Boy Trouble

It first got me into dance music and showed me it was possible to mix that House sound with melancholic; narrative, vocal-based songwriting.

If you could support any musician alive today, and choose your own rider, what would that entail?

I'd support Drake.

My rider would be a paddling pool of KFC gravy and an inflatable Cartman from South Park for me to chill in the pool with.

What advice would you give to new artists coming through?

Only make the music that you want to make and that you connect with. Don't try and force it into something else you think is commercial because what is commercial changes so fast that, by the time you've made it, it's probably irrelevant - and then you've made a sh*t song for no reason. There's no longevity in that.

Also, the likelihood of any of us reaching financial stability through music is very slim so make sure you're enjoying the process rather than sacrificing yourself for an elusive end goal which you're not guaranteed to reach.

IN THIS PHOTO: Jude Woodhead

Are there any new artists you recommend we check out?

Jude Woodhead, Tungz; Mined, Paige Bea and Ben Wickins.

IN THIS PHOTO: Paige Bea

Do you get much time to chill away from music? How do you unwind?

I work in music during the day as a nine-five. Then, I need to find time to do all my Two Legs stuff, so there's not much time to unwind. I meditate, but not as much as I'd like to. Also; exercise is big for me to de-stress. I do love a bit of footy.

Finally, and for being a good sport; you can choose a song and I’ll play it here (not any of your music - I will do that).

Ten City - That's the Way Love Is (Underground Mix)