He’s topped the Beatport charts with his remix of classic hit ‘Silence’ by Delerium as well as having had many other top ten hits; he’s remixed hyperstars like Erick Morillo; hosts a show on Radio FG alongside house heroes like David Guetta, and won Beatport’s ‘Best progressive house track’ award last year.
He’s played London’s Pacha as well as clubs in Russia, New Zealand, Australia and Dubai; is set to release a remix of Paul Van Dyke’s ‘We Are ‘Alive’; and has had tunes signed by Positiva, Cr2 and Ministry of Sound amongst others...
We caught up with him to get the low down on what he is up too...
How are you at the moment and what’s been getting you excited so far this year?
Oh, fine! The last months were quite busy, many things going on! So I've been travelling a lot for DJ gigs (I just got back from Australia and New Zealand and I'm on my way to Russia now), my new single "Shake It" has been released a couple of weeks ago on Cr2 Records and I just finished two remixes for Paul Van Dyk and Erick Morillo! At the moment I am working on a remix for Seamus Haji's label Big Love and my next single is also in progress. So it's quite exciting at the moment…
What’s your musical background? Was there ever any chance you would have worked in another industry?
I started making music when I was 7 old as I got keyboard lessons. At the age of 15, I bought my first real synthesizer and from this point on I had the vision to produce club music loved by DJs. At the beginning my sound was quite shitty but I got better with the years. Nevertheless - and because I had promised it to my parents - I finished school, got an university diploma in economics and then I joined a big company to work in the sales department. Although I liked my job I left the company after around 2 years as I got an offer to work as a freelancer in a music production company. From this point on I was a professional producer…
Which other artists inspired you at the start and continue to impress you with their skills and tracks?
Actually there is no special one, but I think that back in the 90ies (when I started being a serious producer), I was admiring producers like Todd Terry, Armand van Helden and - Quincy Jones! Quincy, because he had this perfection in his productions (not only for MJ, but all the other stuff he did) So he´s still an idol to me when it comes to working on the final details.
Generally speaking, I am impressed by people who survive all trends and music "eras", like Paul van Dyk and Tiesto.
You have an upcoming release on CR2, a rework of the massive track, ‘Shake It’ alongside Lee Cabrera, how did this all come about originally and at what point did CR2 get involved?
Actually, "Shake It" has already been released and it is getting massive reactions from everywhere!
I had the idea of remaking this track in mind for over one year, I had spoken to Cr2 (who own the rights) long time ago and they were quite interested. But it took a while until I finished my two demo versions which I sent to Cr2 in spring 2009. They were quite happy with the mixes and decided to release one of them immediately. This was end of may.
Cr2 put me directly in touch with Steven Lee (one part of Lee Cabrera) and he was so much excited about the remake idea that he immediately confirmed to do his own new version as well! For sure you can imagine how happy I was…
You have had a run of successful releases over the years, which has stood out to you as a favourite and why?
One of my absolute favourites is the remix I've just done for Erick Morillo ('Say The Word', out in summer on Subliminal). It was kind of a challenge to me as the vocal is very nice and hooky, but also very 'pop'. So I had to get it in context with a typical Thomas Gold style remix without being too much 'pop'. I tried hard, but I really enjoyed it and at the end of the day, I think, I did a good job. And Erick was happy too!
If you could rework any previous release, both of your own and other artists tracks what would they be and why?
Oh, I just had one of my favourites track redone, it was ‘Shake It’ and I had this idea for over one year in my head already. There are also a few other track I would love to get a Thomas Gold remake on but I won’t tell as this might be one of my next releases.
If it comes to my own tracks, I would rather do new stuff than reworking old stuff. I have so many ideas in my pocket so better be prepared for some hot and dirty new stuff to come …!!
As well as DJing all over the world, you also hold residency at ‘8 Seasons’ in Munich and run a radio show in Paris, any other strings lined up for adding your bow?
As you said, many things are simultaneously happening and I have to focus on getting them 100% done rather than opening the next chapter.
This year, I´ll move my studio from Munich to Berlin. Will have a REALLY nice brand-new studio there! Also I´m excited to live in Berlin as this a very vividly and energy-filled city to live in.
Also I'm thinking about setting up my very own record label. But this is still written in the stars when this will happen...
Are there any venues/countries in the world you haven’t yet played and would love to?
Oh, there are plenty! I've never been to Japan for example and I'd love to play crazy venues like Goa. Also I would love to play a tour in the U.S.
Will we be seeing much of you in Ibiza this year or on the festival circuit?
As I'm booked nearly all summer for other venues, I won't be playing in Ibiza but I may show up for a couple of days on the island to grab some new inspiration and ideas…As for the festivals, I just played one in New Zealand (even it is wintertime over there) and at a big festival with 12.000 crazy party lovers in Moscow on July 11...
Check out www.thomas-gold.com for more info
