Two Wize - England - The Official Interview

Name:Lee Majors

Age: 21 years old
Sex: Male
Born:Salisbury
Location:North London

Name:Will Simms

Age: 20 years old
Sex: Male
Born:France
Location:North London

1. Who or what had the greatest influence on what you listen to today? 1(a)Was through listen to your parents (Did they have an artists or performer that they constantly kept going on about that influenced you) 1(b) Was through listening at a early age to the Radio to a particular sound or artist 1(c) Was through going to the church (being part of a choir?) 1(d)Or was it by being forced to take musical lessons that influenced your choice?

Lee: My friends were all older than me so I was introduced to dance music at a very young age.... but tape packs and compilations gave me direction.

Will: B : MICHAEL JACKSON was my biggest influence and still is, alongside "HARDCORE GABBA"

2. Who was your first musical hero? Was it Artists from the.. Soul area Hiphop scene Rock/Heavy Metal scene, Pop artists, Drum and Bass artists... Or just any particular artist/s?

Lee: My first musical hero was Kurt Cobain (Nirvana)

Will: My first musical hero, was the one & only MICHAEL JACKSON..

3. You are a DJ/Dj producers aren't you or not?. If so, what was the first club, or event that you played at, that allow you to gain vital experience to that is invaluable now! Is it still there now?; and have you gone back to play there from time to time?

Lee: I also DJ aswell as produce but I tend to play smaller events as I don't push myself in that area. Timmi Magic from the Dreem Teem was a big influence one in UK Garage.

Will: I'm a producer, and I like to think of myself as a bit of a performer. I played piano, and sung around south of France & Manchester in my younger days...

4. I posed this question to quite a few Dj's across the world and now I'm going to pose it to you. Have been given the chance to play on those famous/infamous Pirate Radio Show's that are apart of Uk music culture nowdays?

Lee: Yeah I love to do Guest shows whenever I can...

Will:I don't DJ, but I'd still like to go to support friends & crew.

5.What do you think of the Pirate radio set-up within England? Do there serve a purpose, or have they out stayed their welcome?

Lee: They help to keep the scene alive and fresh... pirate DJ`s often play whats hot on the streets, so its quite educational in hearing new music and being able to find out about near events being held...

Will: sounds of pirate = sounds of the streets, great promotion for the music... it's serves it's purpose well ( as long as it doesn't get stupid).

6. How did the Too Wize come about? Was it by sheer coincidence that this partnership came to fruition, or have you known each other for a number of years, and then you decided to do something about it?

Lee: Will came to the studio from Manchester Sept 2K and I was going to mixdown a track he had produced there. He ended up stayin on my floor for such a long time that we ended up getting a flat together!!!

Will: I ended up there for 6 month... the rest is history

7.Would you say that the Too wize are solely geared to making 2-Step Garage records, or will we see you making tradtional 4 to 4 floor style House records in the future?

Lee: Not at all Will and I both enjoying making House, Pop, RnB, drum n bass and even Hardcore!!! Keep your ears open and Im sure your goin to be hearing many different sounds from Too Wize!

Will: As individual producers, we produce anything that moves, but the "AKA" TOO WIZE, is strictly ukgarage.

8.You are about to release your first single. How would you describle it to the world out there? I noticed that you have a vocalist and a Mc with you for this project. How did you come about meeting these people?

Lee: Mikee and Timnmi from the Dreem Teem hooked us up with Soozy and RB and they came round we recorded the track and it all went wicked! The track is all about the party.... hands in the air!!!

Will: I would describe "slip AND slide" as a "30 MINUTES FAT ASS WICKED ONE HIT WONDER JAMIN'SESSION" !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! then soozy-q and Mc RB just took it to "INFINITY AND BEYOND'" boooooo

9. When YOU go about making a track, what do you lay done first. The lyrics or the tune/groove. Which comes first?

Lee: I always lay my beats first...

Will: That's for me to know ...............

10. Changing the subject. Have you traveled abroad to work? ?(Only write down if its applies) Where did you play..what country? Was it a success?? What is your favourite country to DJ in, and the favourite club

Lee: na

Will: I come from France bruv, so I am abroad , leave me alone, I'm on holiday (joke)

11. What are your thoughts on the music known as 2-Step Garage music that is busting out of London, and all around the Uk? The music has bulldozed its way into the Garage world. Its the newest hybrid of the music within the scene. Some people hate it. Some people love it. What are your views on the scene and the music culture?

Lee: I think that Uk/2-Step is a fantastic genre of music it has much variation within it!!! Theres lots of differant styles that have crossed over to commercial success as well...

Will: 2 step THE MUSIC: wicked !!! 2 Step THE SCENE: could be better...

12. Moving into depth within the scene(2-Step Garage music) there is a divide and there can be no hiding under the Carpet of this."Breakbeat Garage" is the term being used to describle the latest fusion within the Uk with regards to 2-Step Garage music. Are you a fan of this new Hybrid? Is this style the way forward of 2-Step Garage music as a whole do you think?. Or are you from the Old School when it comes to 2-Step Garage music. Are the Arftul Dodger and M.J.COLE's of this world the way forward for 2-Step Garage music; or is future bright for the young and up and coming Breakbeat Garage dj/producers such as Solid Solid Crew, Pay as go Crew or the Heartless Crew.

Lee: The future is definately bright for a lot of people coming through... I don't know haw many more crews there are goin 2 b, but the music is definetly strong with up and coming talent.

Will: Break beat, Uk/2step, 4x4, vocals, mc's etc.. it's all good as long as the producers, the people who play the records and the people who chat on them deliver a good ,interesting , and credible message...( talk about sex for example)(or cheese...)

Keep your ears open and Im sure your goin to be hearing many differant sounds from Too Wize!

13.Radio is important for dance music. And this applies to House and Garage music just as much. Kiss Fm, Londons former favourite son, has unfortunately come across some unhappy listeners out there. Its only now these "unhappy bunnies" state that someone at the station are listening to their "compliants". The mightly Ez (London) and Roger Sanchez(New York) have been taken on to stem the tide of protest that was building up against the station. Are you keen Kiss listeners? What are your views on this subject?

Lee: I dont tend to listen to legal radio... but I'm sure having EZ and Roger Sanchez must have cheered a few people up!

Will: I don't listen to radio much, so I couldn't really comment !!

14.The BBC Radio 1 seems to be championing the cause of dance music to such an extent that we are going to see a new digital radio in the running called Network X operating from the Summer 2002. Is this only a case of dance music becoming so fashionable so that the BBC are panicking and getting pressurised in putting on these soul, drum and basss and garage shows in fear of getting left behind? Or are the BBC really leading the way these days with shows such as the Dreem teem's Sunday mid-moring and afternoon show. Please give me your views?

Lee: When I was young I always used to listen to Radio 1 for the newest dance music and thats definetly still the case today! There are loads of great shows on Radio1... Dreem Teem, Fabio and Grooverider, Trevor Nelson, Tim Westwood.... Its definetly a leading station!

Will:RADIO ONE is just leading the way ....

15. The term "Funky House" and back to "95 nights" seems to be gathering pace at the moment within the SoulfulHouse and Garage music circles movement here in England, especially in London. Is it just a cheap gimmack to bring forth another style of Soulful House into the movement? Or is it a reaction to the moody vibes that are becoming all too apparent at the "Breakbeat Garage raves". It seems to be on all the flyers in around the London area. Have you played at any events that have staged these Funky House parties. Are they indeed - "Funky"? Please give me your views!!

Lee: I think it gives people the chance to go back to how it used to be back in the day when it wasnt violent... Theres definetly a big surge in 4/4 garage again though.

Will: To go back,is not gonna resolves anything, it's just a sad way to try and find a way to stop and hide the problems ! Let's go forward, don't take notice of the violence , it is what it feeds of : Everyone is just talking about it ! I say fuck it! people with a good vibe, and a positive attitude: the party is on !

16.Dubbed the New Ibiza by music critics and fashion experts alike. Do you fear for the islands (Ayia Napia, Cyprus) beauty? Do you think that the island will attract all the wrong types of people? Watching the film called the "Beach" starring Leonardo Da Capiro. We all saw what could happen if rules are bent and relax to accommodate wealthy holiday makers. Do you think that Ayia Napia, as a holiday resort could be spoilt.? Have you been to Ayia Napa, Cyprus before?

Lee: Ive been to Ayia Napa for 2 years on the trot and I have to say last year was nowhere near as good as the year before. There were moody bastards out there last year... and as you know it only takes a few to cause trouble and the rest are branded.

Will: never been to Ibiza, but been to ayia napa last year, had a good time, had a shag, got sunburnt...great

17. Dj EZ seems to be the dj in London that everyone wants to emulate especially within the 2-Step Garage circles. Why do you think he is so popular at this moment in time? At one time it was "Tuff Jam", that everyone wanted to see and be. Now its the turn of Ez. Can you explain his popularity to the readers of Carl's Garage House Page? Or are you ones not to club?

Lee: Not a big clubber im afraid.... I'm very picky about ravin!

Will: our clubbin' life is somehow "INEXISTANT" and not got a clue who the best DJ is, my favourite ones are all DUTCH HARDCORE DJ's !!!

18.Do you still do your own stint of record shopping or hunting? Or do you leave it up to being supplied by labels, etc to keep you up to date? When you play out?(If you play out) A lot of DJ's nowadays survive by living of what given to them by Record labels of all shapes and sizes. What about you. Does this apply to you?

Lee: I tend to get supplied by Promotion companys... I never seem to find the time to go record shopping.

Will: I tend to see them laying around in places and sneak them in my bag ! Or I bug the girls at DFL until they give me all the new CD'S

19. As labels go..Have you a favourite. One that you always stop by as you flick through the piles of Records in your specialist record shop?

Lee: I tend to go lookin when I know what I want!

Will: Nope!!!

20. Record mixing. Your technique when you are playing out. Do you use a style of blending when you playing out; or are you a person who like to jump straight in and out of a track without warning!!! What styles do you like, or prefer to use?

Lee: I'm a mix n blender!

Will: I don't dj

21.Grant Nelson(London, England) and Todd Edwards(New Jersey, Usa) are often bought up as being one more important fore runners in unwittingly setting up the build blocks of todays Uk/2Step Garage Scene. Todd from New Jersey Usa, has fans world wide, but it seems that Grant's appeal lay in London. Both were the new kids on the block during the early to middle 1990's, when they bought their styles of music production to the table.What made them stand out do you think? Was it a case of them being in the right place at the right time? Soulful House and Garage music at the time had other great producers that would take up far to much time and space to mention. Was it a special time in the music of Garage and House music that these two talents could come forward so quickly? Please give me your views?

Lee: I was only 10 in 1990 but Im sure it was just another natural proggesion for music.

Will: I think they stood out because they were and still are great producers..

22.The appeal that Craig David is having in America is this good.Apparently his album has gone platinimin. However, should Craig and the Artful Dodger made more records as a team for the appeal of Uk Garage within the Usa? Would it have been better for Uk/2-Step Garage as a whole if the Artful Dodger, and Craig David had stayed together as somekind of team to give America somekind of base in which they could see Uk Garage music represented? The music as such has no stars for many Usa music lovers to associate with. Was this a missed opportunity? The Artful Dodger and Craig David together making records on a premenat basis for Uk Garage sake?

Lee: I believe Mark Hill still produces for Craig David... But good luck to Craig in the States and lets bring Uk Garage there on a fat scale!!!

Will: Well, although Craig's music isn't mostly Uk garage, it is still Mark Hill who produced is album, one half of what was "originally" Artful Dodger.

23.Deep House music maybe isn't your cup of tea. However, this form of House music is probably the most followed style in the Soulful House music in the world. Are you a lover of the music? Do you listen to tunes from the labels such as Paper, Guidance, Glasgow Underground, Wave, Yellow,Panhandle, Naked Music, Red Melon, Track Mode at all....???

Lee: I love my US House nights I'm very good freinds with Smokin Groove and I go out with them to all the best events. I love Ministry... great vibes!

Will: I listen to all styles of music, if I like it, I listen to it!!! whether it's Hardhouse, Trance, Hardcore, Tango Samba, Country(texan of course), Winnie the pooh's sountrack, whatever, anything goes

24. Who do you rate as one to look out for in the future (DJ Wise?) Who should we keep an eye out for! From your own country? DJ/ music artist/s producer and from what you have heard or seen from abroad? DJ/ music artist/s producer.

Lee: NID.... a really good urban pop group. Smokin Groove... heavy house music. Mr Kalypso is goin to smash it aswell. Oh and TOO WIZE!!!

Will: HOUSE : smokin' groove. POP/RnB : N.I D (my very own pop group, wwhhaatcch oouutt !!)

MC : whizzard. UK GARAGE : too wize of course ( but u already know that...don't u ??)

25. Have you got any advice for any aspiring record label producer, DJ or club owner within the world of House and Garage. Any rules that he shouldadhere to!

Lee: Yeah get in the studio and live there!!! Knuckle down work hard and the world can be your oyster.

Will: Always follow "ur" vibes and ideas, do "ur" music how "u" wanna do it, be crazy ( and that doesn't mean hitting people on their heads with bats and rubber donkeys)...oops forget that one...

Interview conducted by Too Wize - England

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