TCTS has spent the past decade refining his signature sound, balancing crisp, melodic house with a knack for club-ready energy. His latest single, Masquerade, featuring Jem Cooke, showcases that evolution — a record that’s both euphoric and finely tuned for the dancefloor.
In this interview, TCTS opens up about the creative process behind Masquerade, his journey from the Greco-Roman days to his latest EP, and the delicate balance between underground credibility and mainstream appeal. He also shares insights on working with Jem, the influence of his DJ sets, and the artists currently reshaping his musical perspective.
Masquerade feels like a big moment for you – was there a specific emotion or experience you were channelling when you wrote it?
Jem and I have been talking about working on something together – I’ve been a fan of hers for ages, and this felt like the perfect record. I really wanted it to be a big piano house record, but not cheese and quite classic feeling. It took me a minute to get happy with the piano stabs but once they landed I knew it felt like a special one.
You’ve worked across everything from underground club labels to major pop-leaning imprints – how do you see Masquerade fitting into your wider discography?
With Masquerade, and the whole EP I’m putting out at the moment, I really wanted to present a collection of records that represent where my heads at creatively right now. Masquerade is a very vocal lead record, but I wanted it to still be playable, and work in a club – and I love playing it in my sets. I’ve always enjoyed producing piano house records, so I’m hoping Masquerade is something that attracts new fans whilst also appealing to people who’ve followed me for a while.
Jem Cooke has worked with some huge names across electronic and beyond. What was it like working with her, and what do you think she brought to the track that no one else could have?
Jem is such a special artist, definitely one of the essential voices in dance music of the last few years. It was amazing to work with her on this, and also to really drill down in the studio and get forensic when we were creating it. She came down to my studio in London and we recorded it slower before speeding it back up to 125bpm to get a bit of a sampled feeling.
You’ve been releasing music for over a decade now. How has your creative process changed between those early Greco-Roman days and where you’re at now with Masquerade?
I was so new to producing and to the industry generally back then – I learned so much from the Greco-Roman guys and it was definitely a dive into the deep end. I’m alot more able and experienced now, I guess a big difference is these days I’m pretty confident with all the aspects of creating a record, from the writing to the vocal recording and production etc, back then I was much more raw and was mostly just hoping I could get the mic to work when I pressed record!
A lot of producers stay behind the scenes, but you’ve really built a presence through your Kiss Dance residency and live shows. How important is that DJ connection to your work in the studio?
Its vital for me, I love DJing and I love the fact I can dig every week for records to play on my radio show – I’ve been having guests on too recently for my back to back mix series – things like that keep me constantly inspired and it all feeds into all the areas of your work I think.
You’ve made music that’s landed everywhere from specialist club charts to mainstream radio. Do you approach a track differently depending on who you think might hear it, or do you keep that out of the studio?
It’s impossible to not be aware of it, but I try and not overthink it – just try and make the best version of the record and see where it lands. Whether I’m writing for my project, or producing for other people, I always approach it with that attitude – dont pigeon hole it, just let the music lead the process.
From Manchester to Ministry of Sound to Ibiza – do you find different scenes respond to your music in different ways? How does that feedback loop influence the music you’re making now?
It’s hard to say, other than I just always find I get loads of inspiration from each place. Manchester as a city has such a rich musical identity its impossible to not feel influenced by it – going to warehouse project as a student made me want to become a producer and a dj. Ibiza is also just completely dominated by dance music, from the day parties, to the music in taxis, to the super clubs, house music is everywhere. In terms of the feedback loop – when I’m making music, or even sorting my USBs, I will have in the back of my mind where would I like to play this, what type of party would this suit most.
Outside of your own releases, who are a few artists, electronic or not, who’ve really inspired you lately or shifted how you think about your own sound?
Some people I’ve really been enjoying lately – LP Giobbi, Carlita, Omar+, and I’ll never stop listening to Dusky.
Masquerade is out now on TACTICS
