TC

TC is the alias of drum’n’bass producer, DJ, and vocalist Tom Casswell, who also goes under the name Tommy Boy. Growing up in Bristol, U.K., Casswell naturally gravitated toward the city’s rich musical heritage, and taking inspiration from the likes of Roni Size, LTJ Bukem, and Massive Attack, started producing classic, jazz-influenced drum’n’bass. Casswell’s first release, Resonator, came on Davide Carbone’s BS1 Records in 2002 and was followed in 2003 by Getcha Some More. Piquing the interest of Dillinja and Lemon D, the pair signed TC’s next release, Jamaica Street, to their own Valve Recordings offshoot, Beatz, in 2004 and the following year, Casswell released the Let’s Go single on the duo’s main label. Becoming known for his own take on the drum’n’bass sound, TC joined forces with fellow Bristolians Distorted Minds and in 2005 started releasing on their D-Style Recordings as well as remixing the likes of Adam F and DJ Hype. A handful of 12″ releases in 2006 and 2007 paved the way for Casswell’s debut full-length, Evolution. Released to acclaim, the album threw Casswell into the spotlight and was followed by a slew of 12″ singles throughout 2008. Becoming the go-to-man for remixes; TC turned his hand to tracks by the likes of Sean Paul, Example, Tinie Tempah, Nas, and Rihanna. Taking a break from the spotlight, Casswell returned in 2011 with his own label, Don’t Play, which saw him release the drum’n’bass anthem Tap Ho as well as his first foray into the world of dubstep on the release Concrete. With time split between DJing, producing, and remixing, Casswell also found time to provide vocals for fellow drum’n’bass artist Sub Focus — after previously working with the producer on his 2009 self-titled album — on  . That same year, TC released the single Get Down Low on Skrillex’s OWSLA label. In 2014, DJ Fresh took an unreleased TC track, remixed it, and added vocals from Little Nikki. The single Make U Bounce reached the U.K. Top Ten on its release. ~ Rich Wilson