60 seconds with...TC

TC is a drum & bass phenomenon. Having scooped the 1Xtra Bass Award for Best Breakthrough Producer back in March, he's been raising the roof all over with his fierce d&b demolishers 'Jump' and 'Rockstar', which have got everyone from DJ Hype and Grooverider to Pete Tong and Zane Lowe excited.

With a leviathan of an album in the form of 'Evolution' out now, he's threatening to become the biggest junglist sensation since Pendulum. DJmag grabbed him to talk Russian gigs, awards and inspirations...

You've just played over in Russia. What was the response to drum & bass like over there?

"It was amazing in Moscow. There were 3000 people there, and there were 1000 people outside trying to get in. They're just nuts out there - they're so crazy for the music. They don't get to hear many acts from the UK so there's a lot of appreciation. I must have signed about 200 autographs!"

Coming from Bristol, are fellow Bristolians Roni Size and the Full Cycle crew a big inspiration?

"The first d&b tune I ever heard was by Roni Size. They're a massive part of the Bristol thing and I really like what they do."

How did it feel to win the 1Xtra Bass Award for Best Breakthrough Producer?

"It was a complete surprise to me, I didn't think I was gonna get that, y' know! I was really honoured to get it, it was voted for by the people so it means a lot to me, man."

Why did you name the album 'Evolution'?

"It's a collection of tracks that I've been working on for about eight years, and the sound has changed a lot along the way so it's about my evolution as an artist and the evolution of my sound."

You're signed to D Style Recordings, how did you hook up with them?

"Me and Jon Midwinter from D Style Recordings were working together, he offered to sign me, and it was a really great opportunity for me. It was kind of an opportunity to be self-suffi cient as well. They paid my rent for six months while I wrote the album, and they want to nurture my career as an artist. I fully intend to stay with them."

What's next for TC?

"I'm working on my second album and I never stop writing so it's a natural progression. I'm also working with house DJ/producer D. Ramirez, we've just done a track together and we're working out what to do with it."