Tom Real - The Interview September 2011
Interview by Jenna Roberts
Ahead of the Elixir event this Saturday...we thought we'd catch up with Tom Real...
· Hi Tom, How has your summer been?
Hello! Summer’s been action packed this year… typing this on route to Electric Picnic.... my last festival of the summer.
· What have been some of your festival highlights?
This year the return of Glade was a definite highlight… so good to have it back on the summer schedule. Glastonbury was also amazing (as ever!) I had two gigs, one as part of the InSpiral part on the Friday night in the Glade Lounge which was brilliant… really nice vibes and the third year running I’ve played for those guys followed by a slot at the Arcadia Spectacular gig on Saturday which was outrageous!
· How did this year’s Glade compare with previous years?
The new site was a definite win, perfect for the Glade. And it was nice for them to strip back the numbers… all in attendance were the proper party crew!
· You’ve previously played at Burning Man; being a festival that isn’t primarily about its music line-up, does this have an affect on the dance floor?
Without a doubt the Burning Man has to be the absolute highlight of my DJ career so far. Performing for thousands and you’re right, it was a totally different experience on the dancefloor… the crowd were so happy to be there (more than any crowd I’ve ever seen!) - making the energy go off the scale. As DJing was part of my contribution to the event I got a whole lot of love from the crowd whilst I was playing… people were clambering up the front of the pod I was playing in to give me gifts to thank me for my effort. I’ve never seen such a happy crowd.
· Can you describe one of your best festival moments of all time.....Behind the decks? On the dance floor?
Bar the Burning Man, being invited to play sunrise on New Years Day at Universo Paralello a few years ago was amazing… the Stage was on the top of the beach overlooking the Atlantic as the first sunrise on the New Year came up over the ocean, whilst on the other side is a tropical jungle. As far as sets go… that was pretty special.
· Your sets are always very high energy and have an element of fun to them – you look like you are enjoying it as much as the crowd – Do you always create your music with the dance floor in mind?
Thanks! I believer it’s better to be seen to be enjoying yourself behind the decks rather than stand looking bored & grumpy… what’s the point? To answer the second part of the question… my music is always created with the dance-floor in mind… I write bangers, not chill out tracks!
· Tech-house and Electro-house have seen a big rise in popularity over the past couple of years, both in the underground scene and infiltrating the mainstream, why do you think this is? Did people get bored of moody minimal and too much generic psytrance?
It’s always nice to have an alternative! I love psytrance parties and to a point psytrance but you can’t beat techno.
· Who have been your biggest musical influences?
From when I was starting out Alex Paterson from The Orb, Jody Way Out West – I supported both these guys in the early stages of my career and the sheer diversity of their tune selection and the apparent ease with which they drifted between them have shaped my style ever since.
· Can you tell us one of your favourite tracks of all time?
No! ‘Piano Track’ by Peshay and ‘Atlantis’ by (both Good Looking Records) are both contenders.
· Production wise, tell us about the track you have written for the new Liquid Tek EP?
It’s a collaboration with Hamish… we met at Universo four or five years ago and kept in touch when we got back to the UK. Besides becoming very good friends we decided to start writing tracks together ‘Green & Orange’ is the second track and has taken two years to complete! I’m glad it’s finally ready and thanks Team Liquid for releasing it!
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| Tom @ LiquidTek launch Party - April 2011 |
· What else have you been working on recently? Any new Disco of Doom stuff?
For sure! We signed to Discobelle Records (www.discobelle.net) this year which is great and dropped a four-track EP in May. We’ve finalised the follow up which is due out in October and has already received Radio 1 support from Jaymo & Andy George. We’ve also been busy remixing – including artists like Robbie Rivera and Mason, we’ve got more remixes planned in the coming month and then back to work on our next EP.
· What do you consider to be the main differences between the stuff you release as Tom Real, and as Disco of Doom?
Disco Of Doom is ‘mainstream’ (in psy trance terms) but it’s still fucking banging and I like to keep it wonky. Tom Real is deep and wonky… I’d class both as Techno..
· Sex Face is an EPIC track!! It received a lot of praise and recognition from people such as Brodinski, Dj Zinc, Herve and even Pete Tong, how does it feel to have this high-profile recognition?
Thanks! It’s really cool to be recognized by some of the biggest artists and DJs in dance music!
· Despite your success, we love the fact that you still play at underground parties, is this something that is important to you?
Definitely. I ‘discovered’ psy trance whilst on holiday in Greece. I was lucky enough to go to one of the original Samothraki parties. The whole experience totally flipped my mind and I fell in love with the parties, people, mentality and all that goes with it so when I returned I made it my mission to get involved.. not playing psytrance but bringing my style to it. This was around the same time the psytrance crew found breaks so it all fitted together nicely. I love both ‘mainstream’ dance music and underground vibes so I’m really happy to be able to be involved in both.
On the Spot....
Club or Squat - Squat (dependent on the state of it!)
Club or Field - Field 100%
Opus or Funktion 1 - Funktion 1
Liveset or Dj Set - DJ
In the Studio or Behind The Decks - Decks
Ableton or Traktor - Traktor (I love my S4!)
CDJ’s or Laptop - CDJs
Techno or Breaks - Techno
Glastonbury or Burning Man - Arrrgghhh!
Respect of Peers or Smashing the Dancefloor - Smashing the dancefloor!
Tent or Camper Van - Camper Van
Strongbow or Stella - Stella
Hippies or Trendies - Hippies
Afterparty or Fry-Up - Afterparty!
- And finally, give us 3 words to describe the ‘Real’ Tom Real.
Tom Muthafuckin’ Real:)
Thanks for your time Tom….we look forward to hearing him drop some tunes at Elixir on Saturday:)
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