Larry Tee's Lost Last Xmas

"Waking up alone in my loft above Twilo when I was an addict in freefall was the singular most depressing and alienating Xmas I ever had. I had no contact with anyone that day until one of my favourite dealers arrived to hook me up with some ketamine."

Nowadays happily drug free for five years, electroclash inventor Larry Tee will be spending this Xmas eating turkey with all the trimmings, in the company of his boyfriend and Mother-in-Law. After a whirlwind year in which both Larry and his gorgeous proteges WIT experienced phenomenal hype and a near instant backlash, he remains unconcerned about the vicious criticism flung his way.

"The term electroclash was never meant to be anything other than the name of a festival. It sure has created controversy but the hype has also created awareness for a lot of really cool artists," says Larry.

Skrufff: How's 2002 been for you personally-

Larry Tee: "Listen, whenever I can get out of town, make an album of music I love (meaning WIT), and remixing and producing artists that I respect, I know I am living. Next year I hope to make some money or at least clear my debts."

Skrufff: Do you usually buy your presents last minute or plan ahead-

Larry Tee: "I always buy them last minute. Since I haven't had any real money in years, my friends know not to expect much. However my boyfriend insists on buying me expensive gifts so I always have to get him costly crap."

Skrufff: Do you have any special seasonal tracks-

Larry Tee: "I have played Gonzales' rocking 'nutcracker' electro track on occasion and every year I manage to work in Salsoul Orchestra's Joy To the World medley. However, my most practised holiday mix is a dynamite mix of Salsoul's Aulde Lang Syne mixed into Instant Replay that has that ridiculous countdown."

Skrufff: What kind of treats do you like to indulge in at this time of year, nowadays-

Larry Tee: "Chocolate, turkey, Issey Miyake cologne, eggnog, mamas' yams, Adidas reissues, Larry Clark rare books, friends art, Conrad's photos, late teen porn, Tammy Wynette's Greatest Hits, and savouring a years' worth of anti-electroclash press items."

Skrufff: Will you still be running with the electroclash term in 2003-

Larry Tee: "The term electroclash was never meant to be anything other than the name of a festival. It sure has created controversy but the hype has also created awareness for a lot of really cool artists. That must end so that we can go back to unglamorous music with no lyrics and no fashion and NO entertainment value with more dudes from the studio that DJ like it is a sport for other DJs to judge."

Skrufff: What do you predict for 2003-

Larry Tee: "2003 will finally mean the release of the WIT album which I think is the cure for depression unless of course The Fall and Aphex Twin make you happy. It also will mean that maybe some of these artists will finally be on sale in America. Peaches will be anointed a goddess and Neon Music and Mount Sims will take the world by storm. I will again be lashed for trying to push my favourite artists into the limelight."

Skrufff: Will you be making any New Year's resolutions-

Larry Tee: "I just quit smoking, so give me a break, I already don't do anything else. The New Years eve that my best friend died of an overdose in my bed, I swore that I would never do drugs again, and so far I haven't. It's been 5 years now."

Skrufff: What do you predict 2003 will bring in terms of war, doom, gloom, fame and fortune-

Larry Tee: "We will still be threatening to go to war with someone until that Texan finishes Daddy's war. On the good side, nightlife and culture always heats up during financial recessions. But that will also lead us to a place where we understand that life is short and painful, so we should just go for it. Take some chances. Make some glorious mistakes because it doesn't mean anything anyway. Fame and fortune only come when you get rid of the need for it. Never think about that< Tags

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