Tory Tee
Origin: None
Showing an early aptitude towards music, the Milwaukee born Tory Mayek started beat juggling when he was only 13. “It was ‘Adidas/Peter Piper’ 12 inch by RUN-DMC, and I was hooked from that point on,” he says.
Three weeks after his 15th birthday, he produced his first hip-hop record for the group Def Supreme. “As I grew, so did my thirst for music,” he says. Tory quenched that thirst by diving into producing, regional touring and organizing events.
By 1996, Tory’s Rap-rock band, Bolt Upright, signed with Sony Records and Los Angeles became his playground. The groups’ album “Red Carpet Sindrome” was released in 1998, followed by a U.S. promotional tour. This meant sharing the stage with artists such as Kid Rock, Kottonmouth Kings, Everlast and Staind.
His production work on the first album led to a collaboration and friendship with Grammy Award Winning super-producer Steve Thompson. Together they have worked on a variety of projects from Revelle to the Hollywood Undead, to Snow.
Even with a grueling production schedule closing in on him, Tory refuses to let his passion for spinning live slow down. If you’re hot enough to get in, you can catch him DJing at destination clubs such as Exchange L.A., Colony and Vanguard Hollywood.
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Music is my everything…except that one thing.
Interview
Home Town: Milwaukee, WI
Currently Living: Studio City, CA
Origin Of Name: One of my favorite DJs of all time is Jam Master Jay. I kind of copied him, but in my own way.
Weapon of Choice: My mind.
Source of Power: My mom and dad. God.
Was there one particular moment in the recording or mixing process for your Discovery Project entry that made you feel like you were creating something pretty damn special?
I think it was when I decided to do a moombahton DJ mix instead of a high-energy tech/progressive house set, to me that was risky and exciting.
Are there any dots to connect with where/how you grew up to your musical output?
I started on the flute and piano and practicing at a young age with my brother (chello) and sister (violin). From there it was on to my Roland TR-505 and my Juno 106 and doing my best to mimic Rick Rubin.
What do your parents think of what you are doing?
They’ve been my biggest supporters.
What makes you shake your head in wonderment about being a DJ and producer?
That one of a kind feeling I get when I’m creating a new song and everything in the session just clicks…and I get those Goosebumps and in my mind’s eye I can see a sea of people just going off to it.
What’s the biggest misconception about being a DJ?
There are no misconceptions about this. Everyone’s truth is their truth.
Tell me about your most memorable night out.
The show I did at Sun Devil Stadium was incredible. And the live set I did at Boston’s WBLS was intense.
Do you have any memorable moments from past EDC’s or any other Insomniac party?
My first EDC Las Vegas was pretty awesome. And that DJ set at Nocturnal was up there as well.
How does what you do for a living affect you on a day-to-day basis?
It makes me want to always better myself.
What is your ultimate career dream?
To tour the world and do like 300 shows a year. Play Ibiza. Play every EDC. Play ADE. Play every UMF. Have tracks on Dim Mak and Mad Decent. Be managed by Insomniac. You know…normal stuff.
Are you impulsive with your work or do you have a sketch in mind before you start?
Inspiration for me comes in many forms. I can be very impulsive at times, just kind of creating on the fly. And other times the track will be thought out and planed.
How, if at all, does listening to music figure into your creative process?
It figures pretty huge into the process. Miles Davis Bitches Brew is amazing, it always inspires.
What’s the most important piece of gear in your studio?
I’d have to say my MacBook Pro. It has all of my software on it. It’s my box!
How important is it for you to experiment and take on the risk of failure?
I’d say this is what I strive to do with all of my tracks. As leaders we must continue to create our own lanes and take chances.
Do you have a list of people you’d like to collaborate with in the future?
I love Carl Cox. He’s just so fucking gangster. His DJing and song selection is on a whole different level then the rest of us.
If we pressed Shuffle on your iPod while you went to the bathroom, what would you be embarrassed to come back to us listening to?
“Dile” by Don Omar…That’s my joint.
What sound or noise do you love?
I love the 808 and 909 drum sounds.
What should everyone just shut the fuck up about?
I really don’t pay attention to stuff like that. Talk is cheap. Walk the talk homie.
What gets you excited when you think about the future of electronic music and club culture?
Going to, and playing at, bigger events. Meeting different people from all over the world. That new sound I’m working on. My new record. South Beach…WMC.
When you look at electronic music and the surrounding culture, what worries you about the future?
“I aint worried ‘bout nuthin’.” Stop looking at the numbers (Facebook likes, Soundcloud likes, etc.), great music is great music.
What are your weaknesses?
Thinking that time is on my side comes to mind.
Do you have a secret passion?
Running, boxing and BJJ.
How would you describe your sound to a deaf person?
I’d strap two 18-inch sub woofers to their feet so they could feel the bass.
Is success physical or internal?
The battle is first won at home. Then the only thing we go to the fight for is to receive our victory. Even if we fail, we still succeed…at failing. I got a ton of these. Success is a state of mind.
What do you remember about your first DJ gig?
All I can remember is that it was for my first rap group, Def Supreme. I was scratching records, playing cassette tapes, starting the 505 and playing the Juno 106 and doing backup vocals—in front of a crowd of like 10 people. But for real…we went hard.
What’s the hardest professional lesson you’ve learned thus far?
Nobodies ever going to take my career more seriously then I. I stopped counting on other people as much. Difficult? Ha, more work for me I guess. Really though…no worries.
Do you have a favorite all-time mixed CD or series?
I really love Diplo’s BBC broadcasts.
What advice would you offer someone thinking about entering the Discovery Project competition?
Keep submitting, eventually you’ll break thru. Be as original as possible.
Winning Mix:
Winning Track:
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