Thomas Slinger, or otherwise known as Gemini, is a British producer, singer, songwriter and DJ who has taken the world by storm with his roaring dubstep sound and energetic melodies. Despite the age of 22, Thomas has already managed to establish his own label, Inspected Record, while he was offered the opportunity to remix the sounds of internationally acclaimed artists such as Lana Del Rey, Drake, Kelis, and Emeli Sande. Just a couple of months after his latest album release, we caught up with Gemini to find out more about his exciting life as a young recording artist.
You released you first EP Blue almost two years ago, whilst still being a university student. How did this journey begin for you?
I’ve always loved music – and making it. Being given a small Casio keyboard when I was little started it, then with my first laptop computer. The Blue EP really came about from just about mastering all of the sounds I wanted to make, alongside some strong messages. I guess that is how the journey began!
Your sound features a mix of electronic music with very subtle piano lines. What influences your music?
I’m obsessed with soundtracks. What they add to movies and video is amazing. The way those composers take moving image to life. I aim to do that with all of my songs – making a soundtrack for people’s lives I guess!
Starting out so young you must have had, or perhaps still do, lots of enthusiasm. Have you come across anything that changed your original perception of the music industry, yet?
As with anything business of life related to that matter there are always ups and downs – that’s why we’re all here isn’t it? Nothing has changed my perception. I keep focused on the music and let other people do the rest – that’s what I enjoy!
You are the owner of your own independent label, Inspected Record. What drove your need to take music in your own hands, so soon?
As soon as I met up with Ryan, co-owner of Inspected with me – it became obvious that this was the quickest and easiest and above all most fun and exciting way of getting my music out there.
Mercury, is the title of your latest EP, released just a couple of months back. What are you hoping that your listeners will get off this new release?
It’s got a bit of everything there – some dance floor bangers and some softer ones. I like to think it’s pretty signature Gemini with some hints at what might be to come? Hope that makes sense!
Lana Del Rey and Emeli Sande are just some of the artists you have remixed. Both artists have a very distinctive orchestral sound. Did you find this to be a challenge? How well, in your opinion, electronic music blends with more classical sounds?
I loved it!!! I guess what I try to do the most is fuse both classical and electronic sounds together – most of the time it turns out okay! (I stress most of the time).
Dubstep has been around for quite some time but it has only been recently that it striked a chord with the mass audience. Why, of all times, now?
Good question!!! I should first say that genre’s are slippery fish and go stale quickly so I am not necessarily a huge fan of that banner, but to answer the question I think some fantastic producers came through championing the sound at just the right time taking the cultural influences, samples and sounds of the underground dubstep scene and met them with massive crossover melodies and brilliant chord progressions…..
What’s your next step?
2013? Album. And a live show.