DJ Interviews: Tiger Mandoza

 Hey everyone here's myinterview with singer Tiger Mandoza special thanks to Grace Williams for her help.

1. How'd you get started in music?
   That's a big question. I guess the big change came when I started playing guitar when I was about 16. I always loved music and I tried playing keyboards and drums when I was younger but the guitar was the first instrument that stuck. I still think of myself as a guitarist first that likes to hit things.
   Tiger Mendoza started back in 2009 when the rock band I was in at the time had pretty much run it's course and my friend Helena and I started writing songs together. I had always liked more electronic and hip hop influenced stuff, making little beats on things like Music 2000 on my Playstation back in the day but TM was the first time I'd tried to actually make a proper collection of electro songs. 16 years later I'm still at it!  
2. Who are your inspirations or influences?
   Oh wow there are so many it's difficult to know where to start. My go-tos are DJ Shadow, Deftones, Nine Inch Nails but I grew up listening to everything from Vangelis' Blade Runner soundtrack to old 60s pop that my mum and dad liked to The Pet Shop Boys. Recent faves include Big Special, Turnstile and I have to give a shoutout to local legends Means of Production, Octavia Freud and Emma Hunter, all of which have new albums out soon which you should definitely check out.
3. What advice would you offer aspiring performers?
   - Keep going. If you love music, if you feel you just have to keep making music, you have to keep going.
   - Don't worry about the money, at least not initially. Don't let people take advantage by any means but don't get in to making and playing music thinking that you're going to get rich, especially not in the current climate. Do it because you love it and have to do it.
   - Go out and meet people. Go to gigs. Support your local scene. It's particularly easy for electro-producers to be sit at home, keyboard warriors and wonder why they're not getting any gigs but I strongly believe in supporting your peers and building an organic scene, even if it's just a small one.  
4. How do you set yourself apart from other bands or singers?
   Really it's the range of influences that I bring into music. We're known as an electro act but I love playing guitar. Stylistically we cover bass music influences, electro, hip hop, drum and bass but aren't afraid to bust out a riff in dropped D if the song needs it. Also the range of collaborations and musicians that I've worked has become a big part of what we do.
5. How would you say that music has inspired/made an impression on you?
   Again big question but to put it simply, music is everything. If I'm not playing music I'm listening to music, old and new and it's a big part of who I am, what I do and who I associate with. 
6. Any new gigs or albums in the future?
   Yes! Thursday 30th October - Truck Store, Oxford - Special album launch set
   Sunday 14^th December - The Bullingdon, Oxford - part of the In A Different Place mini festival