Hidden behind the Tep No moniker is an anonymous producer who’s been making waves within the electronic music scene for the past months. Since his first release ‘Promises’, back in May 2014, the Toronto based talent has been piling up top-notch projects to his name, such as: Karma, You Got Owned’, ‘Lana Del Dre’, ‘Meant To Be’, ‘Loaded Gun’, ‘It’s Alright ft. Lizz Kellermann’, and ‘The Last Ones Standing’ which gained the support of Pete Tong on BBC Radio 1. His success has also extended to Hypemachine, where he’s managed to land the #1 spot with his hit single ‘Lana Del Dre’.
His ascension is extraordinary and apart from consistently putting out quality releases, he’s also procured heavyweight remix gigs for the likes of: Nora En Pure and Sirena. He’s quickly becoming one of the hottest acts in the industry and his works have already been licensed by top brands like: Michael Kors, White House Black Label and Contiki Travel.
We’ve sat down with Tep No to unveil more about him and get to know what’s on the cards for the months ahead.
Hi Tep No, how are you and what are you up to at the moment?
I’m great, just working on new music releases at the moment. People don’t realize but a lot of songs are worked on for months before I even release them! So much music coming up 🙂
Nobody knows who’s behind the Tep No moniker, but what does this name stand for?
Tep No is a pun on the word Techno, that’s all.
How long have you been making music?
I started a year ago, so it’s fairly recent, I was trying to preoccupy myself due to my failed acting career.
Where would you place your style and sound at the moment?
I have no idea, I don’t really think about these things, I just try to release music that doesn’t bore me after 2 seconds.
Where do you draw your influences from?
I draw a lot of influences from really cheesy softcore porn music and Darude – Sandstorm. That track is just great.
Who do you try to target with your music?
I don’t target anyone specific, I think people around my age are just drawn to it, I’m not sure how to explain it. Tep No is a lot bigger than me as a person, so I just roll with whatever comes.
Jumping into the production side of things – How long does it take to finish a track and what’s the process behind a typical Tep No production?
It usually takes me a day, and then I release a song, sleep, drink and eat for the rest of the week 🙂
What’s your production setup like and is there anything you’d like to add to it in 2015?
I record everything in analog, on a tape recorder, then I mix it on a 4 track tape machine, and then the music gods do their magic and give the songs that aura of awesomeness. I’d really like to add a horse to my setup, so I can ride it to the closest McDonalds whenever I’m hungry.
You have recently released a single by the name of ‘Please Me’ – What’s the story behind this track?
I was just doodling on my guitar and came up with the riff, and then when I was watching softcore 70’s porn, I came up with the lyrics, and then sang it. Crazy thought process I know.
Where do you see this single being played?
Other than my mother’s basement, I’m hoping it’s gonna get played in every college party, art functions, planet Mars and Venus, but that being said, aliens on Venus are stuck up musicologists who dislike anything new, well, other than Kesha’s ‘Tik Tok’, apparently it’s their anthem there.
Do you have any other projects lined up this year?
I’ll be releasing as much as I can, and everything will be free. I’m glad the fans still buy my music even though they can get it for free – Means so much to me.
You have managed to add some impressive names to your DJ support list. Which one are you most proud of and why?
I’m really happy that Pete Tong supported my track “The Last Ones Standing” on BBC1, without that, I don’t think it would have done as well. Right now it has 1.7 million streams on Spotify.
Where do you want to see yourself in the months ahead?
Hopefully being motor-boated, or drinking or something, I’m not a complicated person.
Your identity is mysterious, but can you tell us something that can help us to unveil a bit more about Tep No?
I said I was a failed actor, but that’s a lie, I’m actually in a few known movies. I just don’t want people to think that Tom Hanks is Tep No or something, or Brad Pitt or something. “Think A list celebrity here”
Thanks a lot Tep No!
Tep No Online
