Will Tee
Will Tee grew up in Sheffield, UK and is now back and forth between there and Leeds, the reggae capital of the north. He grew a passion for dub music after attending Soundsystem events such as Dubcentral and SubDub and loved sounds like Aba shanti and Iration as a teenager. In 2007, Will Tee started producing his own original reggae music. Now in 2011 his music is being played internationally on many of the world’s leading sound systems, various UK events and radio shows. He also recently had a couple of releases on French Record Labels, ‘Roots Revelation’ and ‘Jah Militant’.
Catch Will Tee playing at
DUBCENTRAL w/ ROOTS RENEGADE, DUBATEERS & CHARLIE P, WILL TEE
28 October at 22:00 - 29 October at 04:00
@ The Harley Glossop Rd, Sheffield, United Kingdom
Click on the title link for more information!
Click on Read More to see the Q&A with Will Tee about his music and ting
WK: What first influenced you to want to get into music?
WT: Well I’ve always been into music, I used to write songs on the piano when I was little and also played drums and violin. I forgot about making music for a few years but got back into it when I put Fruityloops on my mums PC. It was getting into reggae that made me want to seriously make my own music.
WK: When did you first hear Dub & what made you want to hear more?
WT: Probably like a lot of people through Bob Marley, then other great artists from the ‘golden era’ like Dennis Brown, Johnny Clarke etc then UK labels and producers like Jah Shaka but you haven’t really heard dub properly though till you’ve heard it on a sound system that will really push it. My first experience of that was with Dubcentral and Operation sound system at the everyone centre. That’s what really got me hooked.
WK: What do you focus on when making a track? How do you go about starting to make a tune?
WT: Reggae is really centred around the drums and the bass so they’re my main focus when making a track, I like to fill out the rhythm with percussion. When I start a tune I like to play around with chords to set the kind of vibe, maybe set up a basic drum track, then reach for my box of percussion to find a groove. Its nice to get away from the PC where possible!
WK: When did you start producing music & what inspired you to do so?
WT: I started when I was 16 cos I just wanted to see if I could translate the music in my head into a playable tune. It was hard to find the kind of music that I was hearing when I went to dub dances so I just thought I’d try to make my own!
WK: What’s the best Dub night you’ve ever been to? Who was playing & why?
WT: I think if I really had to choose I’d say the Ethiopian Christmas celebration dance 2009 with Aba Shanti and Channel One. It was at Dub School in Bedford before it moved to the bigger venue. I drove down with some mates and it was just really good musically and had a nice atmosphere. It was a really small venue to hold 2 sound systems. You could hear a pin drop when the sounds were switching over.
WK: Where can we hear more of your tunes?
WT: Either on my myspace or soundcloud here:
http://www.myspace.com/dubwisesurprise
http://soundcloud.com/will-tee
or on dub sound systems like Iration Steppas, Channel One etc or for vinyl heads I have some music out on Roots Revation Records and Jah Militant Records.
WK: Do you think Sheffield is a good place to be making Dub music?
WT:Anywhere is a good place to be making dub music! The only thing with Sheffield is that I don’t know of many other producers/ artists around here. When I’m up in Leeds, theres loads of great producers, artists and musicians.
WK: Tune for the summer?
WT:Tarrus Riley - Rebel (Maximum Sounds 12”)
WK: Favourite Band / inspiration?
WT:Favourite band, I’d say The Revolutionaries who did a lot of wicked stepper tunes in the late 70’s. I’m sure a lot of people will recognise their instrumental tune ‘Kunte Kinte’.
I listen to a lot of artists/bands/producers from that time, some more that have inspired me are Augustus Pablo, King Tubby, Burning Spear, a lot of stuff coming out of Channel One studio…
WK: Up & coming producers?
WT: Ina Dub State who produces for Rootikal Warrior sound in France who i’ve done some work with makes wicked sound system tunes and I know he’s worked with some great artists on a few tunes that hopefully will see a released.
Alphonso from Belgium, I’ve been playing his music out pretty much since I started and some of his tunes have recently been released.
WK: Bass or Treble?
WT: I produce Reggae, the original bass music!
WK: Kick or snare?
WT: Rim Shot ;)
WK: What software do you use to make music?
WT: Cubase 5 with various 3rd party plugins
WK: Why do you think there’s quite a few soundsystems in Sheffield?
WT: I think for years the popular nights in Sheffield like Headcharge, Dubcentral etc have made use of real sound systems and people get a taste for it! With the freeparty scene here people have just been putting together what they can and everyone wants to be part of it!
Will Tee (Descendant Sound) | Free Music, Tour Dates, Photos, Videos www.myspace.com Will Tee (Descendant Sound)’s official profile including the latest music, albums, songs, music videos and more updates.
Thanks for answering some questions Will Tee, apologies it’s taken so long for me to get in up on internets. Be sure to check out Will Tee’s Myspace & Soundcloud and if your in the areas near Sheffield then catch him at
DUBCENTRAL w/ ROOTS RENEGADE, DUBATEERS & CHARLIE P, WILL TEE
28 October at 22:00 - 29 October at 04:00
@ The Harley Glossop Rd, Sheffield, United Kingdom
Click on the title link for more information!
