The Aussie rules
Producer, DJ and musician Tommy Trash is one of the biggest names in Australian dance music. Since bursting onto the scene just three years ago, Tommy has dominated charts and dance floors alike with over 40 originals and remixes, quickly establishing himself as one of our most talented and prolific homegrown artists.
Dan Prince checks in with someone we are going to hear a lot from for many years to come…
Welcome to the DMC World Thomas, a meteoric rise to fame! You stumbled onto dance music whilst studying classical music at university in Brisbane. Was it your parents that pushed you towards classical music as a kid then?
“Ha! My parents encouraged me to listen and play all sorts of music. I think it was more my teachers who were rigid and more classically focused.”
What were the early clubs you were secreting to back then and what DJs were keeping the dancefloors busy?
“I used to go to Ric’s Café in Brisbane and listen to all sorts of breaks and hang shit on the resident DJs. Then I got into house music and started going to Monastery and became a late night regular, worshipping the residents Rousie, Gracie and Matt Kitshon.
Are you still friend’s with the guy who dragged you from the piano and into a dance club for the first time – and if so, what does he think of all this success?
“I lost him in the Boiler Room of Big Day Out a few years back and haven’t seen him since!”
What was your parents reaction on your new choice of career – did they offer you any advice?
“My parents were always worried about my financial security, but they always totally “got” me wanting to do music – so I’m pretty lucky in that regards. They are big believers in doing what you love.”
You took to the decks after becoming a producer, it’s usually the other way around. Did you find it easy?
“It was a challenge. I think they are two totally different skills. I mean, it’s easy enough to beat-match, but it’s all the other stuff you really need to worry about…”
How would you describe your DJing/production style?
“ADD LSD with no added MSG.”
What are the big 10 tunes you are playing our right now?
“In no particular order…”
Knife Party – Internet Friends
Sound of stereo – Diamond (Loops Of Fury Remix)
SHM And Knife Party – Antidote
Roy RosenfelD – Psykotik Experience
Tiesto – Maximal Crazy (Bassjackers Remix)
Zedd – Shave It
Dirty South & Those Usual Suspects – Walking Alone
Avicci – Levels
Alesso – Raise Your Head
Tommy Trash – Monkey See Monkey Do
Did you know after you had finished ‘The End’ you were sitting on something a bit special?
“I felt like I had something cool and whacky, but I wasn’t sure if anything would happen with it… and at the start, nothing did. So I really need to thank Laidback Luke for getting the ball rolling on this one!”
We all know how booming the Australia scene is right now with dozens of big artists flying in every week. But what about the home grown talent – who are the big Oz DJs producers doing it right now?
“Hook’n’Sling is doing great stuff right now! I also have a major boner for Finger Prince – seriously classy stuff! Then there’s Bass Kleph who’s doing amazing tech house. Really, there’s just sooo many to mention!”
You’ve had a big Summer, what was playing with Tiesto at Privilege in Ibiza like?
“It was very surreal. I remember looking out the crowd and thinking, fuck, I’m actually here!”
What do you love about Ibiza? What was your favourite memory from the white isle this year…
“I love the beaches and the general party vibe. Everyone is there for a great time and you feel a really cool vibe. I think my favourite memory (or lack of memory) was the Musical Freedom Ushuaia after party. So many friends were there and we just partied and partied until we ran out of battery!!”
Does it seem a bit surreal working with Tiesto, your huge track ‘Future Folk’ debuting on his label Musical Freedom and going skywards…
“Totally. I never ever dreamed this would happen! But Tijs is just so down to earth and humble he makes you feel very welcome!”
You have produced some pretty impressive remixes this to date – what do you think has been your finest yet?
“My favorite would be my remix of ‘Slumber’. I think it’s the right balance of progressive and electro. Also, I just love that vocal so much, when I first heard it I knew I needed to remix it!”
Other than the beaches, what is the worst and best thing about living in your home city?
“The best thing is definitely the food. There’s just so many amazing places to dine in Sydney – we’re spoilt for choice! Worst thing is it’s sooooooooooo far away from the rest of the world.”
What was your Summer anthem?
“‘Calling’ – Ingrosso and Alesso.”
So we come back to yours after a gig – what 10 Back To Mine tunes do you play us to chill, feel free to mix up the Strauss and Zeppelin!
Nirvana – Polly Wants A Cracker
Summer Camp – Better Off Without You
Lykke Li – I Know Places
Kasabian – Fire
PJ Harvey – This Glorious Land
Thom York – The Eraser
Crystal Castles – Not In Love
Yeasayer – Ambling Alp
Moby – Porcelain
Joni Mitchell – All I Want
What song can’t you get out of your head right now?
“M83 – Midnight City.”
What has been the best festival stage you have rocked in Australia?
“Mainstage Stereosonic in Sydney. Mega!”
Best record you have ever played to a dancefloor?
“Faithless – ‘Insomnia’.
What are your views as a producer on piracy /bootlegging…
“This is a tricky topic. It’s a crying shame that dance producers can’t really make a living out of just making records anymore because of all the piracy. But I guess shit evolves, and we need to move with it. It’s the era of the DJ/producer. Each skill now complements the other, and I don’t think you can really do one with out the other anymore.”
What is your guilty pleasure song?
“9 to 5 – Dolly Parton.”
What can we expect from you musically in 2012?
“Less remixes and more originals. Definitely gonna mix it up a bit between the progressive and electro vibes and try to come out with something special.”
And finally, my mate used to be the UK Table Tennis Champion in the 90s, when you are over shall I arrange a game – I hear you are pretty good!
“Haha! Someone’s ass is gonna get kicked here I think…”
