Tortured Soul

The interview

DS3:

We count DJ Spinna as one of our main influences. What is he like to work with and why do you think your collaborations been so successful?

Christian:

He's very musical, and a good producer. He's throws down lots of ideas and picks and chooses later what he thinks sounds good, and doesn't get to hung up in the process. He just keeps working till it sounds right. People that consider making the music sound right, more important than sleeping, have an edge. Tortured Soul is like that and so is Spinna.

DS3:

Christian, following your success with Cooly's Hot Box, what inspired you to create Tortured Soul?

Christian:

A Few things.

1. Some songs that I had conceived of didn't sound like songs that I wanted to hear in the vain of the Cooly's format.

2. After playing with Jason and Ethan for a couple years it became more and more evident that we were starting to dig into something that felt really good. They were into helping turn what was initially a production project into something even more special. They let me sing lead and play drums front and center when we play live, what more could a guy ask for?

DS3:

You have worked with some superb producers and remixers, from Osunlade and DJ Spinna to Alix Alvarez and Alistair Colling. Describe your relationships with these artists and how you go about collaborating with them.

Christian:

We've spent more time bouncing ideas back and forth with Spinna probably than the other guys.

Each of the remixers expressed interest in the tracks, as well, we were curious what they would come up with based on their knowledge of the track they way it was.

A number of other remixers have worked on stuff but the ones that stood out were the guys you mentioned, so they were chosen.

DS3:

You clearly have a passion for house music. Is this born out of a love of clubbing or do you also have a passion for spinning (vinyl)?

Jason:

Jason DJ's a little, but we're all musicians, first and foremost. We've come to this music from two angles: as people who love going out and hearing good dance music and also as musicians who enjoy creating good dance music, both in the studio and live.

DS3:

Describe what Tortured Soul live is all about and what people should expect when they come to see you play?

Ethan:

Tortured Soul is about three good friends drawing on a long history of performance together (hundreds of shows) to make energetic soulful deep house. We know exactly how to lock in together, whether we're playing an arranged song or we're improvising a segue. We play continuously from song to song and we crossfade with the dj sets before and after our set, so the music never stops Ð just like a dj.

People who come to see us should expect to dance.

DS3:

Touring appears to be something you thoroughly enjoy and you forever seem to be on the road. Where do you most enjoy playing, both in the US and abroad?

Tortured Soul:

Unfortunately we haven't toured abroad yet. We forsee Japan and Europe later this year.

The US and Canada have treated us well though. We've been to pretty much every city 1 to 4 times now, and we've had good shows everywhere. Atlanta, Cleveland, Chicago, Milwaukee, Phoenix, Los Angeles, Toronto, Miami, Tampa, Orlando, Nashville and of course New York to name a few have all played host to great shows. Shows everywhere get better every time we come back to a city, so that list should grow by the end of the next tour.

DS3:

What productions and remixes can we expect in the near future and is there anyone you would like to work with in particular?

Tortured Soul:

First off, we have a new album called 'Introducing Tortured Soul' coming out on Purpose Records on May 4th. It may be available at limited stores in England, but will definitely be available on CDBaby right away.

As far as singles are concerned, there is an Eric Kupper remix of 'Fall In Love' coming out on Central Park some time soon. Cisco, the Japanese label that has licensed the album for Asia, will be releasing 'You Found A Way' worldwide in May or June.

There will probably be a couple other singles coming out between now and next fall, but we're only just getting into those details, so it's too early to say which songs from the album they will be or who we'd like to have remix.

DS3:

Who would count as your main musical influences?

Tortured Soul:

Stevie Wonder, Earth Wind and Fire, Chaka Khan, Donna Summer, The Bee Gees, Prince, James Brown these are the most obvious influences to our sound, but our musical taste is extremely broad. We like music with soul.

Being Central Park Recordings signature artist, you clearly have a close relationship with New York. Tell us what the city means to each of you?

Christian:

I was Born and raised in Manhattan. It is unique. It can Raise your spirits like no other city, But lately I've felt New York to be a little conservative.(zoning laws that make dancing Illegal in many small clubs) And it's very expensive. There's a large community of artists, musicians, performers, Which is great. There are also a lot of people who appreciate music and the arts, However, the support that is provided is minimal. Most folks would rather spend 8 bucks on a drink, before they would pay 5 bucks to check out a live band.

We're at a place as a band now where people will have one or two less drinks and pay an admission price to check us out, but it wasn't easy to get there.

We just played Joe's pub here in the city, so that idea is fresh in my mind, I guess one of the best things about NYC is that it's nice to know that if you're ever bored, that it's your own fault. You can always go do SOMETHING.

Ethan:

I grew up outside NY and have lived in town for about 11 years. I have a high set of standards for music from being surrounded by good musicians here. On the flipside I have a low set of standards for how musicians should be treated because I grew up in an environment that takes good music for granted. NY keeps you stimulated artistically while keeping you strapped for cash and living in tight quarters. The energy this creates in people is something I've seen nowhere else. Sometimes it's great for musicians and forces them to work extremely hard to improve their situation and get recognized, while it makes other musicians angry and bitter. But everyone has to deal with the realities here or leave. I love the energy here.

DS3:

Describe Tortured Soul in 3 words?

Tortured Soul:

Live Soulful House

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