TignesFest: Interview with Kissy Sell Out

Specialist Radio 1 DJ, Kissy Sell Out is as famous for his production skills as he is for his remixing of other well known artists tracks throughout the world.  His weekly dance music show attracts a wealth of listeners because of the appreciation and time he gives to unsigned artists and as summer beckons, we can look forward to his debut album release on his label San City High.

But before all that, Kissy Sell Out is one third of the brains and muscle curating alpine festival TignesFest with Loose Cannons and Xfm’s Eddy Temple-Morris in April 2009.  Taking place in the top rated French resort of Tignes, this boutique festival specializes in showcasing the freshest new music and best of all it is completely gratis.

Described as a musical cocktail of live bands, electronica, DJs and Acoustic sets, plus all the fun to be had in the snow, what idiot would willingly miss out?

We caught up with the man himself, Kissy Sell Out to find out more about Tignesfest and what people can expect next month après-ski…...horn at the ready!  

4or The Record: Where did the idea for the event come from and how did you all end up working together?
Kissy Sell Out: We all try very hard to include as much unsigned music as we can on our radio shows so I guess curating a festival based on the same concept seemed like the perfect next step forward. We wanted to make the festival as unique as the new music we were pushing, so basing the festival out of the UK and on a mountain seemed like an excellent way of doing that.
 
4TR: How does the event differ from other music events, especially other Snow-bound festivals like Snowbombing?
KSO: The main difference is the concept and spirit of the event. We have crafted a family-like atmosphere at TignesFest, which reflects everyone’s mutual interest in the buzzing lineup of new bands and djs. Instead of competing with the big dogs of the festival world by throwing contracts at globally recognised crowd pullers, we’ve focused on building a set-list of the most exciting acts we have heard in the last year which not only dazzle the crowds of Tignes but gives the artists in question the opportunity to perform their new ideas in a setting like no other. All alongside like minded people who are serious about the music but don’t mind a bit of snow fun too.

4TR: Tell us about some of the acts that will be playing at the event and are there any reasons why you chose them?
KSO: All the acts I suggested are artists I literally listen to on my iPod everyday and I genuinely love, not because a magazine told me to or because I heard them in a trendy night club, but because I’m addicted to the music and I think that’s the most important thing to do when pushing new music – believe in it!
 
4TR: Is it an honour to be able to get involved in things like this, and were you given a free reign when organizing the event?
KSO: I definitely felt very flattered to be asked to do something like this at such an early stage of my own career and very charmed that the festival organizers supported my efforts in the world of unsigned music. As for a free reign, I certainly won’t have a say in what the colour the tickets will be, but all the bands and dj selections were put on our shoulders which was a very inspirational feeling.

4TR: The event will take place in Tignes ski resort, which is one of the highest summits in the world.  How did you end up choosing Tignes as the place for your event?
KSO: Simply by coincidence. Tignes is one of my favourite places to snowboard in France anyway, so when it was suggested as the place to party I immediately supported the idea. The mountains provide fantastic speedy runs which all lead down to the same base area of fast lifts, and there is a glacier at the top so you can be as adventurous as you like! Most importantly for me, the site has much less flash developments and expensive restaurants than the surrounding resorts in France, which means the vibe on the slopes is more fun and easy-going with less stressed-out families to bump into. With a full lift pass you can also go to the famous Val D’isere resort near-by too without having to pay the huge hotel fees of the neighbouring town. I love it in Tignes.

4TR: Are your skills on the slopes on par with you’re your musical expertise? I hear you’re a keen Snowboarding enthusiast!
KSO: I certainly am! I think my dangerous streak has been neutered slightly since I broke my nose and ended up in the blood wagon a few years ago, but I still love challenging the other artists to keep up with me! I started skiing when I was ten but discovering boarding a few years later completely changed my attitude on the slopes and the fun started! It’s definitely my favourite thing to do in my free time – which I don’t get much of these days!

4TR: If you had to choose a favourite terrain for playing a festival what would be your best? What are the advantages of playing high up in the snowpeaks?
KSO: When people ask me why I like going to the mountains so much there are two immediate things that pop into my head. The first is that in the evening you can do everything you can do on a sunny holiday such as the partying and socialising but during the day you can continue your adventures on the slopes with the new people you’ve met and keep fit too! The second (which better answers your question!) is the views from the top of the mountains – no really! I have never seen such beautiful skies and epic landmasses anywhere else and the best thing is you get to board down them too!

4TR: What are your top tips for people to get started on the slopes who have not skied before?
KSO: Firstly, if you want to have more fun and look cooler, board and don’t ski! If you can be bothered to go to a dry ski slope a few days before it might help you get started quicker – especially since real snow is so much easier you’ll have a huge confidence boost when you arrive on the mountain. If you can’t be bothered then it’s no problem either, be prepared for 2 days worth of falling over and snow ball fights with your mates in lessons and then something will click and you’ll be doing jumps by the end of the week. Thermal underwear and some modern thin ski socks which let you move your toes will make life much more pleasant too – don’t be embarrassed everyone wears them!
 
4TR: Out of all the artists on the bill, who is strongest contender for one to watch, considering last years event was full of much publicised acts like Alex Metric, James Yuill and A Human?
KSO: I’m entirely convinced that Frankmusik and Danimal Kingdom are capable of big things this year and I love Jack Beats’ productions so much right now I’m thinking of asking them to dj at my funeral! I’m totally convinced in the potential of Black Peter Groups songs too, which I gave a big plug for on my radio 1 show, so I’m hoping that their hyperactive and eccentric live show will make a splash.
 
4TR: When looking for fresh new music and emerging artists, what is it you’re looking for?
KSO: I’m all about good hooks so before I find out anything else about how the band looks or where they come from, the songs have to stand out and speak up for themselves to get me fired up. I also admire risk-taking in new music i.e. not copying other people, as I think at the end of the day it is this aspect of music that can start something huge and it is the absence of risk-taking in music that can kill off music scenes and dull fashions. Be brave!
 
4TR: Finally, in one sentence tell us why we should come to Tignes Fest and experience all the new music?
KSO: Because it’s a fun, loud, unique and mischievous festival with added snowballs on top and there’s no mud or a single porta-loo in sight!

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