Berlin’s Thomas Gold continues his globetrotting takeover of cutting edge dance music
Interview : Dan Prince
Hey Thomas welcome back to DMCWORLD, where in the world are you right now?
“I’m in Berlin right now; I locked myself into the studio for a couple of days between all the travelling!”
After a relentless 2013 you are back with your long awaited single ‘Remember’ which is out now on Axtone Records – a stunning song featuring the vocals of Kaelyn Behr. Talk us through the story of the tune…
“It actually started all with a track idea called “Berlin”…I met up with Kaelyn at his studio in Melbourne in Australia while I was touring there and played him the idea. He instantly loved it so he started to write some vocal ideas on top of the track. He had this idea of a couple remembering a night so we decided to build the whole track around this story – “Remember”. I started reworking the track according to his vocals and from then on we went back and forth sending our ideas. At the end we were both very excited about the result!”
Kaelyn is no stranger to massive dance tunes, he has landed several platinum records and awards due to his presence on such anthems as ‘Sunrise (Won’t Get Lost)’ and ‘Tomorrow’…what is it about his voice that made him the number one choice for your new track?
“Actually it was his singing on “Sunrise” which got me into his voice. I love the way he sings the song and I love the sound of his voice. It’s beautiful and strong, and it sounds very modern.”
What is the current top 10 you are spinning…
Thomas Gold “Remember”
Thomas Gold & Deniz Koyu “Torn Apart”
Sandro Silva “Payback”
Nicola Fasano & Steve Forest “Party Hat”
Kill The Noise – Mosh It Up (Henry Fong Remix)
Ashley Wallbridge “Africa”
Axwell & Sick Individuals “I Am”
Empire Of The Sun (Tommy Trash Remix)
Hard Rock Sofa “Let Me Hear You Scream”
Don Diablo & CID “Prototype”
The biggest club opening of 2013 was undoubtedly Light in Las Vegas where you have a residency. How have the opening few months been and for our readers who haven’t been yet, what makes this such a special club?
“They have been amazing, it was (and is) such fun to play in this club! The layout is gorgeous, I love the huge light and LED screen installation (actually I have never seen a bigger and more impressive one) and it’s amazing to have the Cirque Du Soleil performances going on while you play a set. I think it is a very unique approach to a nightclub; I’m excited to be part of this experience!”
I interviewed Paul Oakenfold last week and asked him about Sin City, he remarked that Vegas will always be about the party and never the music – do you agree?
“As Las Vegas is a place where people from all over the world come to spend just a few days, the “party” part is a very important one and this will always be as it is. But also I can see that there is a growing “music” scene in the clubs. It has changed a lot since I played in Vegas for the first time, people are much more into the music now and there is a real “clubbers scene”. The good thing is that today the clubs in Vegas take care of both “groups”, you can just hang out at a table OR you can spend all night long on the dancefloor with great sound and light systems. And of course great DJs.”
You recently completed your ‘Remember The Light’ tour hitting some of America’s finest hotspots. What were some of the highlights for you on the road…?
“There where so many! I absolutely loved Echostage in DC, New City Gas in Montreal, Story in Miami and of course one of the highlights of this tour was Nocturnal Wonderland Festival!”
What do you think has been the biggest development in American club culture in 2013?
“The steady growth of the scene overall, it’s impressive to see how big this thing now is. And the new “wave” of clubs in Las Vegas.”
You controlled the main stage at this year’s Tomorrowland and enjoyed appearances at Ultra, EDC NY and EDC Las Vegas…what has been the funniest festival story of 2013?
“When I played the Main Stage at Ultra, they had those flamethrowers next to me – but nobody told me in advance! So when I played my set, they suddenly went on and I was so surprised by the heat coming into the booth, I nearly missed a track transition. But all went well at the end…”
You had another major season in Ibiza, we were lapping you up at Together @ Amnesia – how did you find the white isle this year, everywhere was busy!
“I loved this season! I was lucky enough to be there seven times this summer and every single time was great. The crowds in the clubs were amazing, it was very busy all the time and there just is this special kind of vibe on the island…”
What is it you love about Ibiza?
“The combination of having so many cool venues and clubs so close to the beautiful beaches and restaurants. And that there is such a big amount of real clubbers.”
Anthem of the summer?
“Thomas Gold “Remember”.”
For this year’s New Year’s Eve celebrations you have chosen Pacha in New York, a city right up there again with a host of great clubs including the newly opened Sankeys New York. How different do you find the clubbers in the Big Apple compared to the rest of the US?
“They are not much different from other cities in the US, but the New Yorkers are definitely one of the craziest and most energetic crowds in the world! I love to play there as the fans there are really into it, every single gig or show I played was just pure fun! Pacha New York has always been one of my favourite clubs in the world so I can’t wait to be back on NYE!”
Who is the best new DJ you have spotted this year?
“I think Dyro is one to watch!”
Has modern technology made it to easy to become a DJ in 2013? Where is the best new club or location you found on your travels this year?
“I think technology makes it maybe technically easier to play a DJ set, but you still need to feel and to read the crowd. And you have to get into the music. This is something no technology can ever make easy.”
Are there any DJs out there that you would still pay to see?
“Of course! I’m lucky that I get the opportunity to see them for free but I think there is loads of them which I would buy tickets to go and see them. Why not?”
And finally, what is coming out next from you studio wise…?
“New music! I’m working on a bunch of new tracks, I’ve been in the studio with Otto Knows for a collaboration track, I’m working on a tune together with Deniz Koyu and of course I have my next single in progress! Be prepared for 2014!!”
http://www.thomas-gold.com
http://www.twitter.com/thomasgold
http://spoti.fi/RU73qh
http://www.myspace.com/djthomasgold
http://www.youtube.com/ThomasGoldofficial
http://www.soundcloud.com/thomas-gold
http://www.beatport.com/artist/fd/15276
http://gplus.to/ThomasGold
http://smarturl.it/Fanfare
