The super producer and BBC Radio 1 DJ talks Australia, Essex and working for TNT.
Hello Kissy Sell Out. How are you and what have you been up to today?
Just finished doing a remix for Skunk Anansie which is pretty crazy ‘cos I remember collecting all their CDs when I was at secondary school!
What have you got in your pockets?
Chewing gum, a phone that doesn’t do internet stuff (which I like) and a receipt for some cough syrup.
What a strange name you have. Ever got cross with your mum for giving you such an unusual moniker?
Couldn’t possibly do that, my mum gave me a beautiful name when I was born, but I like to keep that one private. [It’s Thomas Bisdee].
You’re coming to Australia soon, for We Love Sounds. Have you been before?
I LOVE AUSTRALIA! I’ve already done two tours there, but not got myself down to We Love Sounds yet – I’m super excited!
Aren’t you frightened, there are sharks and crocs and things down here?
Nah, I’ll have my “wife-beater” shirt on and they know not to mess when I’m wearing that, haha!
Will you have much time off to see any of the country?
No. (You can hassle my tour manager about that!).
What does your travel CV look like?
I’ve been to lots of places – but always at night, so I never see anything!
What’s your favourite travel song?
Errrrrr, probably “Six Different Ways” by The Cure.
What do you never travel without?
My ear-plugs. I don’t wanna lose my hearing while I’m raving around the globe!
If you had to stay in one place for the rest of your life, where would it be?
A forest somewhere near Essex, where I grew up, probably.
Ah, Essex. See, Wikipedia claims you’re from Colchester, but your record company biog says you’re from Cambridgeshire. Are you trying to hide your Essex roots?
I was born in Cambridgeshire, but moved to Essex when I was 10. My under-age drinking career only started when I was 13 so I don’t have many funny stories before that point you see!
You’ve remixed everyone from Mark Ronson to Bloc Party. If you could remix any artist and track in the world what would it be and why?
I haven’t heard my remix of Bloc Party. Is it any good, hehe? I’d probably go back in time to when Ian Curtis was alive and remix “Love Will Tear Us Apart” by Joy Division.
You’ve said your debut album, Youth, “is about my life, so if people don’t like it, it’s like they don’t like me”. Is it really that personal?
Yes! I guess I didn’t really think about that at the time. It was only after the album was mastered I realised how personal it was compared to most other albums. I’m quite a sensitive chap and I’ve only ever done what feels natural in my career so that quote just sums up another one of my many insecurities!
You’re a superstar DJ on Radio 1 – do you do a lot of work for charidee, mate?
I support the British Association of Adoption and Fostering whenever I can. I think it’s really important that all children and young adults are given a fair start in life as well as strong role models.
And what’s with the airhorn?
Go to a drum ’n’ bass warehouse rave with me one day and all will be revealed!
You’ve also worked as a graphic designer. Fancy a job here at TNT?
What’s the health care and pension plan like?
Kissy Sell Out plays We Love Sounds in Sydney (6 June) and Adelaide (8 June); though the festival also calls in at Brisbane, Perth and Melbourne, more info at www.welovesounds.com.au, as well as Canberra’s Warehouse Winter Music Festival (7 June) and Melbourne’s Winter Sound System (7 June).
