{"id":6983,"date":"2018-05-22T16:32:08","date_gmt":"2018-05-22T15:32:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/man2man.boohooman.com\/story\/boohooman-interview-tough-love"},"modified":"2018-05-23T09:51:10","modified_gmt":"2018-05-23T08:51:10","slug":"boohooman-interview-tough-love","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/man2man.boohooman.com\/au\/story\/boohooman-interview-tough-love","title":{"rendered":"boohooMAN Interview: Tough Love"},"content":{"rendered":"

We caught up with Duo DJs Tough Love<\/a> to talk about their new music, festivals, fashion and what’s in store for summer.<\/p>\n

How did you guys meet?\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

We met in London almost a decade ago playing the same club circuit.<\/p>\n

How did you come up with the name Tough Love?\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

We were actually looking for a name for a media company we were putting together. We wanted something that represents working hard (tough) for the love of music. Tough Love was one of the names we came up with and it just felt like a better fit for us as an act.<\/p>\n

Where and when did you play your first ever set together?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Our first set was 7 years ago at The Egg alongside No Artificial Colours & JR. We still have really fond memories of that party.<\/p>\n

When was the moment you realised you can make a career in music?\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Way before Tough Love to be honest. We\u2019ve both worked in music for a long time now and done various sides of the business. Producing and writing for other people, running clubs, club nights, label heads & A&Rs. There isn\u2019t much we haven\u2019t done!<\/p>\n

What\u2019s the best part about being duo DJs? Why not ride solo?\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

It\u2019s as simple as this; you need someone to share the good times together with and someone to pick you up when you\u2019re down. A life in anything creative can be lonely, especially when your life is living from hotel to hotel on tour.<\/p>\n

Name the three main artists you had on your playlist growing up?\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Roger Sanchez, Groove Armada, Fatboy Slim,<\/p>\n

If you could\u00a0collab\u00a0with someone past or present, who would it be?\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

One of the guys we just mentioned would be amazing. We\u2019ve got a new record coming with Roger, so if Groove Armada or Norman are up for doing something, we\u2019re all ears!<\/p>\n

Favourite DJ to go B2B with?<\/strong><\/p>\n

We recently played a show with Trutopia for Desperado. We\u2019re really good friends with the boys which makes a big difference for b2b session. When it\u2019s all 4 of us on the decks it\u2019s pure fire!<\/p>\n

Favourite song out at the moment?\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Chris Hartwig – Bang The Groove<\/p>\n

Have you got any new music coming out soon?\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Loads. In the past few weeks we\u2019ve dropped \u2018Dancin\u2019 Kinda Close\u2019 which is sitting pretty in the Beatport Top 5. We\u2019ve got an underdog in record on Simma Black called \u2018Boom Boom Kick\u2019 and we just released \u2018Keeping Warm\u2019 on our label Get Twisted which we\u2019re really excited about. Next up we\u2019ve got a big club cut on our favourite Australian label Club Sweat; we\u2019re compiling and mixing the new Pure House album which will feature four exclusives from us. And if that doesn\u2019t get your juices flowing, we\u2019ve just signed a new deal with One More Tune and Warner UK, and our new single \u2018Rain Dance\u2019 will be dropping this summer.<\/p>\n

You\u2019re playing We Are FSTVL on the 26th<\/sup>\u00a0May, what\u2019s the best thing about playing festivals?\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

The energy of the crowds. Everyone is there for the music and for the right reasons. Hopefully the sun stays out and we can have a ripper on the Mainstage with thousands of people dancing to the sound of some quality House music.<\/p>\n

Which has been your favourite festival moment?<\/strong><\/p>\n

We played a festival called La Solar last year in the jungle in Medellin Columbia. We never thought our music would touch people that far away from our hometown of London, so it was pretty crazy to play in front of thousands of people under the stars in a jungle!<\/p>\n

UK festivals or abroad?\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

They\u2019re totally different, you can\u2019t compare them. We obviously love travelling the world & the festivals we\u2019ve played in the states are huge, but there is something special about playing at home<\/p>\n

Are you hitting up a lad\u2019s holiday this year?\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Well, Alex gets married in a couple of weeks so we\u2019re both going to take a week off to celebrate then. We\u2019ll probably take some extra days in Marbella & Ibiza as well, so we get some time to soak in the sun.<\/p>\n

What else have you got planned this summer?\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

We\u2019re in Marbella every Thursday at Aqwa Mist with Pure House. We\u2019re doing four shows with Cutting Edge at Eden Ibiza, a couple with Together at Amnesia and a few more on the White Isle we can\u2019t announce yet. Then you can find us in all the big holiday islands and of course all over the UK.<\/p>\n

If you weren\u2019t a DJ, what would you be\u2026<\/strong><\/p>\n

We\u2019d probably both be professional sportsman. we\u2019re highly competitive! But our bodies are giving up on us now. Alex like to build and ride motorbikes in his spare time so that\u2019s a dream job for him. Stef would have to keep it creative, anything that involves making or creating things is right up his street, fashion, art, graphic design etc<\/p>\n

Dream girl?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Alex – Well obviously I\u2019m going to say my better half Jess otherwise she might not turn up at the wedding. But I do have a crush on Eva Mendez!<\/p>\n

Stef – Eva Mendez is a great shout but I\u2019m a fan of curvy brunettes with blue eyes. Adriana Lima will do.<\/p>\n

Drink of choice on a night out?\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Alex – Hendricks & Tonic<\/p>\n

Stef – Lemon & Ginger with soda water.<\/p>\n

Favourite film or TV series?\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Alex – Peaky Blinders<\/p>\n

Stef – Shawshank Redemption<\/p>\n

Describe your fashion\/style?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Alex – Rugged<\/p>\n

Stef – Understated Smart Casual.<\/p>\n

Who would you consider a style influencer for you?\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Alex – I\u2019m a big denim wearer and if you haven\u2019t noticed I have tattoos, a moustache. For me, a good pair of jeans, kicks, tee & jacket is perfect. So\u2026I guess I\u2019m influenced by more classic guys like James Dean<\/p>\n

Stef – I like to dress for the occasion and like to think I have the ability to pull off a smart suit when needed and a more casual look when I don\u2019t. Alex can rock a bin bag and somehow make it work. Always liked the style of guys like Andre 3000 but I\u2019m not ballsy enough to pull off some of those looks so I\u2019d probably say post Man Utd David Beckham.<\/p>\n

Finally, words of wisdom for those wanting to make it in music\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cFollow your dreams not the trend\u201d<\/p>\n

Take a listen to Keeping Warm below & download it here<\/a>.<\/p>\n