Skiddle speaks to rising dubstep star Gemini ahead of UKF Bass Culture

At just 21 years old, Tom Slinger aka Leeds producer Gemini is already carving out quite a mark for himself on the dubstep scene.

His 2011 debut EP 'Blue' pleased critics and dancefloors worldwide, and Gemini has already been headhunted to remix tracks by Deadmau5, Nicole Scherzinger, French-Soler, Diddy, Willow Smith, Jamiroquai, Kelis and Hadouken.

Next month he'll join Chase & Status, Nero, DJ Fresh, Skrillex and a whole host of bass artists at Alexandra Palace for UKF Bass Culture.

Jack Oughton caught up with the rising star to ask him about music making, exploring the 'untouched waters' of dubstep, and why he always looks so grumpy in photographs. 

Hi Tom (or do you prefer Thomas?) thanks for taking part in this interview...

Thomas is more eloquent, no problem!

So, what's it like being increasingly famous and internationally respected at the age of 21?

I wouldn’t say famous, ha! Although, being respected at such an early stage of my career is really encouraging. It’s definitely one of the factors that is driving me to push the boundaries.

What got you into making music?

Pure influence of other respected musicians and producers. To look up to other artists and think 'I want to be able to produce / write on that level' is important to young producers and was to myself. I always looked up to my idols.

When you write a track, what's the process like?

It’s a pretty strange process. I start nearly every track with a Steinway grand piano. I love the harmonics it gives off – even if I’m not using it in the track it helps me get started.

How would you define your music in a sentence?

Emotional, powerful, uplifting and moving.

What's your favourite thing about dubstep?

It's an incredible and exciting new genre that has a long way to go. There are untouched waters that are to be explored, I intend to do just that.

What's next for you? Where do you eventually plan to take your career?

At this current moment in time I’m contemplating the idea of an album. I try to express a story through each and every track I produce; to do this in the form of an album would be a open a whole new chapter in my career.

What three things can you not live without on tour?

Apple Macbook Pro, steak and my Apogee One.

In the pictures I've seen of you, you often look a bit pissed off. Is this your look or is something making you mad?

Yeah I’m constantly pissed off, that’s just how I roll. It’s my look. I’m actually super happy in real life.

Who's your favourite artist?

There are many. From composers to electronic superstar acts. To name a few current – KOAN Sound, Feed Me, Ed Sheeran and Example.

Who is your ideal musical collaborator?

I’d love to collaborate with Brian Transeau (BT), incredible artist.

OK, time for the fun questions...

If you could be anyone else (fictional or real, living or dead), other than yourself who would you be?

Gemini's twin brother who smiles constantly on every photo and is super happy.

If you had to live on one kind of food for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Cow.

If you had to go into unarmed hand to hand combat with the following, which animal would you prefer to fight: an adult brown bear or an Australian saltwater crocodile?

Brown bear would be fun, I suppose it depends if you want to be mauled by claws or ripped apart by teeth.

If you had an infinite supply of money, and you were obliged by law to buy at least one pointlessly extravagant thing a week, what is the first expensive and ridiculous thing you'd buy?

I’d buy a planet followed by a Sunseeker predator 130 super yacht. Probably wont use them in conjunction with each other.

What's currently in your DVD/Bluray/film player of choice?

Limitless.

Favourite item of clothing that you own?

Everything All Saints.

OK, time for word association. I say a word, you tell me the first thing that comes to your mind.

Twitter

Birds.

Helmet

Feed Me.

Firestorm

Help.

Moonwalk

YEHA!

Saturn

Jupiter.

Donald Trump

Lame.

Permanent Beard

Inspector Dubplate.

OK, please finish these sentences with the first thing that comes to your head.

Sometimes when I'm bored I like to... fire up cod!

If I don't like a song I'm hearing I tend to... tweet about how pissed off I am about it then I realise afterwards that it makes no difference. The song is still shit.

Old people dancing reminds me of... Skrillex.

My favourite piece of musical equipment is... Apogee One.

If someone handed me a hand grenade and a stick of dynamite I might... throw it back.

Cheers, wishing you the best with your career!

Interview: Jack Oughton

Find out more about Gemini

Catch Gemini at UKF Bass Culture at Alexandra Palace on November 25th. Tickets are available below. 

Tickets are no longer available for this event