Photo courtesy of Chrissy Tignor
Words by Art Jefferson
London based producer, songwriter and arranger Chrissy Tignor is a musical powerhouse that is leaving her imprint on the music world. Classically trained as a musician, the American born audio wiz went on to become an engineer fixture around London, having worked in various studios such as Tin Pan Alley Studio, whose client list includes acts such as The Rolling Stones and The Beatles down to Hotchip and Jamiroquai. Currently working with new artists such as South London singer Camille Purcell as well teaching Creative Music Production, 2011 is looking like a busy year for Chrissy Tignor.
AJ-You’re a producer, engineer as well as a songwriter but what is fascinating is that you also specialize in classical vocals. Tell me about your musical roots. Do these roots stem from a musical childhood?
CT-Yes, I have been a musician all of my life. The first instrument I played was the clarinet at age 9, and then I graduated to saxophone a year later. My mother always encouraged me to play as many instruments as possible and filled up our house with various second-hand instruments from anywhere we could find them. Before I knew it I was playing bassoon and daydreaming about performing in professional orchestras for the rest of my life! When I was about 14 I started gaining an interest in vocal performance, in particular theatre, and started to sing soprano in many different choirs. By the time I decided to go to Uni, my heart was in singing, so I decided to specialize in classical music as well as production and recording at The Hartt School of Music in Hartford, CT USA. I’m very happy I did that, because I benefited from technical engineering training as well as music theory and composition.
AJ-Your music is a fusion of pop, electro and Hip-Hop. Being originally from America but living in London and also having continued your education in London, does the various styles of UK music influence the way that you create music and if so, what particular sound have contributed to that inspiration?
CT-When I first moved to London, I was sheltered in a way when it came to UK music, like many Americans are! I loved my American Hip-Hop, however after a few months I began to experiment listening to much more dance music and UK urban genres. I had never made a beat before I moved to the UK, so I think that my American musical taste combined with living in London has directly contributed to my fusion of styles. I love electro, dubstep, grime…anything you can really feel down to your bones.
AJ-You have been currently working with the singer Camille Purcell, how did that music venture come together?
CT-I first met Camille last year at Rollover Studios in Queen’s Park. After the guys at Rollover heard my productions, they called me in the following week to work with Camille, who had been at Rollover for some time already. We have chemistry that is undeniable and we’ve been creating an original and modern sound for her. She’s such an awesome girl, I couldn’t ask for a better person to work with. Rollover Music just released her first single, “Fallacy” on Monday which is available on iTunes and all major download sites. Here is the iTunes link: http://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/fallacy/id427415103?i=427415111
AJ-Many producers have switched to using more software opposed to tons of hardware for creating music. What’s you’re take on that topic and which, as well as what, do you prefer to use for your production?
CT-I must admit that I am a complete software fanatic when it comes to my productions. I’m quite techy so I really like doing admittedly nerdy MIDI manipulation, synthesis and processing audio “in the box” as they say. But that being said my background is in engineering so if I’m working with a band or recording vocals, I am very particular about what equipment I use. I love using hardware compressors and quality preamps. And running anything through a TL Audio desk always sounds lush!
AJ-Which studios have you really enjoyed working in and why?
CT-I obviously love working at Rollover because they’ve been so supportive of our project and there’s a real family feel there. I love working anywhere that’s intimate and vibey. I’ve spent some time at the legendary Tin Pan Alley Studio on Denmark St which was neat, and Eastcote Studios is absolutely gorgeous with an amazing vibe; anything sounds incredible in there. I also worked at The Canvas Room with Gary Go housed in a converted dairy; it’s super chill and comfortable. Big flashy studios are awesome, but I prefer more personal places where you can really feed of the people working with you.
AJ-What projects are you currently working on at the moment?
CT-April is going to be mad! Currently I’m finishing up Camille Purcell’s album which will be released later this year so that’s very exciting. I’m also rehearsing with a live band of great musicians for Camille’s music and that has been an absolute blast. Additionally I produced and I’m currently mixing an EP by a fantastic folk band called Indigo Earth. I’m also producing an up-and-coming dubstep duo called JamKontrol plus some various other remix projects. There’s also a vibey fusion production project in the works that I can’t wait to get going! During term time I’m a visiting music teacher two days a week at The Uppingham School which also keeps me very busy too.
AJ-Finally, many producers have come from behind the scenes to the forefront and have become the artist and superstars themselves such as Timbaland and others. Can we expect maybe a Chrissy Tignor album in the future?
CT-At the moment I’m really enjoying producing and writing for other people. There’s nothing cooler than collaborating to me, so I’d love to keep doing that with as many people as possible. I do backing vocals on a lot of tracks and I do dabble a bit with my own material, but it’s not a number one priority for me right now. Anything could happen in the future though, so keep checking in!