Creative Conversation 014: Torren Foot Breaks Down His Masterful Remixes
Interview by Luke Byatt
We caught up with Aussie dance legend, Torren Foot and delved into his extensive world of creativity. Join us as we delve into Torren Foot’s process of remixing following the release of his remixes of Yung Bae’s ‘Bad Boy’ and Lastlings’ ‘Take My Hand’.
Futuremag Music: Hey Torren Foot, how're you holding up with the lockdown?
Torren Foot: I’m doing pretty good! It took me a little while to adjust, but I’m into a pretty solid routine now, and getting plenty of work done!!
Futuremag Music: Could you talk us through your relationship with music?
Torren Foot: Music and myself are pretty tight haha I listen to music from when I wake up, to when I go to bed. And when I’m not listening to it, I’m making it. Spotify or Apple Music are my go-to’s, but I also love watching livestreams and sets. Even before everybody was constantly streaming, I’d love watching artist's live sets from clubs, and seeing how they play certain records, and work a room. It can give you a different perspective on tracks in your own collection, watching someone else play them.
Futuremag Music: You're dropped two mammoth remixes for Yung Bae and Lastlings respectively. Production wise, how do you approach a remix compared to your original works?
Torren Foot: I think when I’m writing original records, I’ll let the ideas develop organically, whereas on a remix, it’s usually quite pointed. I’ll have a purpose for the remix in mind, or a reference, and work towards that. You can be far more self indulgent when writing original records, as there isn’t often a time restriction on when they're due. Unlike with remixes, where you might be given a two week window, and you have to go in and get the job done.
Torren Foot (Provided)
Futuremag Music: Could you talk us through the process of remixing Yung Bae's 'Bad Boy’?
Torren Foot: For the Yung Bae remix, I wanted something that was groovy and fun. Something that complemented the original record, and kept that light hearted, summer vibe. I had a couple of records I was playing in my sets that had a similar vibe, and my aim was to write something that could be used in place of them. I also wanted a record I could play that yelled ‘Get your ass to the dancefloor’ haha
Futuremag Music: Could you talk us through the process of remixing Lastlings' 'Take My Hand’?
Torren Foot: With the Lastlings remix, I was thinking about a moment in my live shows. About 45 minutes, to an hour into the set, I wanted a record that had a big atmospheric breakdown and a beautiful vocal to almost reset the crowd. That was my ethos when going into it. I sketched the idea out while watching TV in a hotel before a show, and then finished it on a flight to LA the next day. I never normally work that quickly, but this remix was done start to finish, in about 24 hours. It just came out of me haha
Futuremag Music: To wrap it up if Torren Foot was a cocktail, what would be in it?
Torren Foot: 100% a Negroni! Not because I’m anything like a Negroni, but if you catch me out on a Saturday night, I’ll more than likely have one in my hand