DIRTYCHOONS recently had the pleasure to interview with arguably one of the best producer/DJ at the moment after his performance on New Year’s Day for White Wonderland - Thomas Gold. Check out the interview below which Thomas talks about his upcoming releases in 2012, the Swedish House Mafia and his best moments in 2011!
Thomas Gold’s Favs Of 2011 Mix
You think he can play live? Check out his monster set at Escape From Wonderland here. You think he can produce? Check out his remixes of LadyGaga’s ‘Judas‘ or Adele’ ‘Set Fire To The Rain.‘ The German sensation does it all and is one of most humble producers out there. We’ve always said what makes a complete artist in EDM is being able to produce amazing tracks but also being able to perform a live set. Thomas Gold executes both areas like nobody’s business.
Keep an eye out for Thomas Gold for 2012 as he’s doing a US tour in 2012.
-THOMAS GOLD INTERVIEW-
How did you get into music? What motivates you?
I have been making music since I was a child. I learned to play keyboards when I was little and got my first synthesizer at 15 years old. It was always my dream to make music and play to out to people. As far as I can remember, I was always in love with music – especially with house and this kind of tempo.
What motivates me? It’s really the love of the music. To be creative and to produce something. The motivation is seeing people having fun, dancing and hearing that they like my music. There is nothing more motivating. I am happy and proud to realize my ideas and feelings with my music.
Can you talk about any big releases or remixes forthcoming in 2012?
I have my next single out with Dirty South coming out at the end of January. It’s a follow up to the single that I produced with Dirty South ‘Alive‘ . It’s called ‘Eyes Wide Open’. I also have another single on Axtone which is called “Sing2Me” and I’m really excited about that one because I’ve been working on it for about 10-11 months. I’m also doing another remix for Henrik B next single. Finally, there’s another remix I’m working on but they said I can’t say anything about it yet, but I’m really crazy about that one though!
What do you think about satellite radio’s influence on dance music. Can you talk about your new music series GOLDcast?
As far asI know it, it’s not popular in Europe. We have out regional stations but satellite dance music stations are not so popular in Germany. But every time I come to the states or Canada I hear everyone talking about Sirius XM and there’s such a buzz about it. I recently went to Sirius out in NY for an interview and it’s great to see what these guys are doing. I think they’re pushing dance music a lot at the moment and they do a great job. It’s a broad audience and apart from the clubs/live shows, they are getting the audience in touch with this kind of music. Making it accessible to the masses – the more people listen to it the better it is for music to spread across the world.
Apart from my weekly radio shows, I do something called a GOLDcast which is a special thing because it’s only every 3-4 months. I put in my edits, new & special tracks, mashups and personal edits. It’s very personal – I get tospeak more about the tracks, introduce them, describe how I feel about them and where I got those tracks. It’s very time consuming so that’s why I don’t do them too often. I prepare myself a lot for these GOLDcasts. It’s a mix of introducing these songs and playing 30 minute mixes of my favorite tracks of the season.
One of your musical influences not in dance music?
It might not be too obvious but I am influenced by classical music because of the big chord structures and the atmosphere with playing chords over a longer time and having them evolve. I’m not a huge classical music freak but it’s very inspiring. When I did my Adele remix of ’Set Fire To The Rain’ there were big chords and pads that evolving for half a minute or 45 seconds.
What producers are you most excited about or producers you would like to work with?
I always have been a fan of Swedish House Mafia and I still am. As a team and also as single producers. For me, Axwell has always been one of the best producers ever because the stuff he does is so musical yet so pumping at the same time. His tracks are 100 % detail and the mixes sound brilliant. Steve Angello does a broad range of stuff – sometimes melodic and some stuff really punchy basslines. The three guys, including Sebastian Ingrosso, have influenced the whole music scene. They’re good idols to me and I appreciate what they’re doing. When they play SHM they create a vibe and there’s nothing similar.
Best show you’ve played or been at – best moments?
Escape From Wonderland from Halloween this year – it was fucking great! I remember when I went on the stage and I was overwhelmed by the energy, the people and the vibe. It was such fun playing there – I’m still getting compliments from everyone for that set. And I must say as well, last night NYE at Koolhaus which is in the same building as Guvernment in Toronto, I played right after Steve Aoki. That was insane. I can’t really describe because Steve was on before me and I was backstage when I saw him. I was like “wow, what’s going on, people are freaking out!” I was thinking “what should I do after his set” but people were still in the mood throughout my set! I played for 3 hours at the end. I didn’t want to stop – it was one of the best gigs ever.
Describe the perfect performance/DJ gig?
I hope I can play festivals such as EDC again and I’m having a big US tour this year. I will be headlining Mansion for the first time in Miami and Guvernment in Toronto which I’m excited about. But the perfect gig for me is having the crowd be really into the music. it’s not about how many people you have – whether it’s 200 or 20,000. It’s just about the vibe and being in touch with the people. Being in contact and seeing them react to the music – that’s all you need!
