One of the Shining stars of dance music
Welcome back to DMCWORLD young man. Massive remix of Serge Deviant’s cover of New Order ‘True Faith’ which is going to smash The Buzz Chart this week, talk us through this release…
“It’s something I did nearly a year ago now. The original New Order track is one of my favourite tracks ever, so when Serge asked me to remix it I jumped at the chance! It’s worked really well in my sets since, so I’m glad it’ll be finally come out in the next couple of months or so.”
It’s been a busy start to 2012 for you, tracks sending dancefloors wild on Vandit, Toolroom and Spinnin. What has the next few months got in store for us all from you?
“Yeah its been hectic in the studio. This year I’ve sat down with my management and tried to schedule more constant and consistent releases. There’s a new Funkagenda, Kim Fai & Paul Thomas collaboration on the way on Toolroom, which should be out in the Spring. There’s a new collab with Weekend Heroes, remixes for Paul Oakenfold and M.I.K.E. Push, plus some solo stuff on Toolroom too.”
How did you get involved in this insane industry – what was your first break?
“I guess becoming resident for Godskitchen was my break – which was simply off the back of a mix CD I sent in to them. People think the major event and label brands don’t listen to demos, but I’m proof they do. Godskitchen booked me off the back of that mix CD, then took me on as resident off the back of my first gig.”
GK aside, what have been some of the legendary clubs you will always look back with fondness from these past few years…
“I do really like playing at Ministry Of Sound in London. I never went there as a clubber, I was always a Northern England lad, visiting places like Cream, Godskitchen, Gatecrasher etc. But my first time at MOS was playing for Toolroom Knights there, and the sound system blew me away. I play there every 2 or 3 months now, and its always a stand out show. Crobar in Buenos Aires, Yello in Belfast, M2 in Seoul and Womb in Tokyo also rock.”
What is the current top ten you are spinning?
1. Paul Thomas ‘Ruby’ – TBC
2. Paul Thomas & Alex Di Stefano ‘Shining’ (Michael Woods edit) – Diffused
3. Chemical Brothers ‘Swoon’ (Maor Levi bootleg) – Promo
4. Serge Devant ‘True Faith’ (Paul Thomas & Luke Marsh remix) – Ultra
5. Fix8 ‘The Infirmary’ (Funakgenda remix) – Funk Farm
6. Weekend Heroes & Paul Thomas ‘The Screamer’ – TBC
7. Pete McCarthey ‘Polvere D’Oro (Weepee remix) – Promo
8. Snow Patrol ‘The Symphony’ (Paul Thomas booty) – Promo
9. D-Nox & Beckers ‘in Your Eyes’ – Sprout
10. Da Fresh & Andrea Roma ‘No Sun’ – Toolroom
What is the greatest record you have ever played to a dancefloor? One week you say Mory Kante, the next Sasha’s ‘Xpander’ – what is it today?
“I recently closed a gig with Hardfloor – ‘Acperience’. I forgot how ahead of it’s time that track is, and its one of those tracks you can still get away with now.”
What is your Guilty Pleasure song?
“Queen – ‘Don’t Stop Me Now’. You gotta love a bit of Freddie Mercury, god bless his soul!”
You discography is a who’s who of remixes, collabs and own productions. Why is your proudest piece of music that you’ve been responsible for?
“Probably the Basement Jaxx ‘Raindrops’ remix I did with Funkagenda. I have always been a huge fan of Jaxx, so it was really special to do.”
Tell us about your studio set up…
“Simple…I have an old quad-core desktop, a pair of Tannoy Reveal monitors, M-Audio KeyStudio keyboard, and Logic studio. Fave plug ins include Nexus, Predator & Zebra, plus Logic’s ES1 & 2, and ESP.”
What’s your idea of a perfect Sunday?
“Relaxing at home with my family. It doesn’t get to happen very often!”
What are your plans for Ibiza this summer?
“I haven’t actually got any yet! I haven’t looked passed the festivals I’m playing at so far. I wasn’t in Ibiza at all last year, so hopefully I’ll be back this year.”
What are your thoughts on this whole Steve Angello v Sneak on line feud, Sneak telling Steve he plays fake shit as he comes from the times real DJs actually did it with love?
“I respect both artists, so I don’t want to start saying too much myself, but I must say I was surprised by Sneak. I thought it was unfair have a go like that. There’s room for all styles and all kinds of DJs, and that’s one of the things that makes house music so special.”
So we come back to yours after the club, what is the Paul Thomas Back To Mine 10 you mash us up with?
Lamb – Gorecki
BT – Road To Lostwithiel
Talisman & Hudson – Leaving Planet Earth
Sasha & Digweed – Northern Exposure 2
Dolle Jolle – Balearic Incarnation (Todd Terje’s Extra Doll mix)
Tangerine Dream – Love On A Real Train
Sasha – Baja
Massive Attack – Teardrop
Salt Tank – Sargasso Sea
and finally…
The Horrorist – One Night In NYC – just to fuck you all up!
Not many people know this, but Paul Thomas is really good at…
“Cooking! I do most of the cooking in my house. After fucking you up with The Horrorist, I’ll make you all a Sunday roast to chill you out. Not that you’d eat much of it….”
What one piece of advice can you offer to the thousands of people reading this who want to make it as a DJ / producer?
“Make records. Its the only way to really break through nowadays. And be willing to put a lot of hours in to get where you want to be. This is a 24/7 job, and it can take you years of working 24/7 before you get noticed.”
And finally Mr T, can you clear this one up once and for all. When you started DJing you wanted to use the name Saint Paul. Er, why?
“I thought I had to have a DJ name, as all my friends did at the time. I decided I wanted to call myself Saint Paul, told my friends, and they told me it made me sound like a wanker so I didn’t bother!”
www.djpaulthomas.com
