As a Godskitchen Worldwide resident DJ, full time studio producer and remixer, Paul Thomas is already bringing some serious heat into the New Year with a host of remixes for a string of keynote labels including Steve Angello’s Size Records, Sander Kleinenberg’s Little Mountain imprint and the legendary Global Underground. With an eagerly awaited single releases including Mark Knight’s favorite record of last year’s ADE conference, ‘Rizer’, a super-hot EP with fellow Toolroom hero Richard Dinsdale, plus DJ tours of China, Australia and South America, it’s no wonder that Nic Fanciulli rates Paul as ‘one of the most consistent and freshest DJs around.’
It’s both Paul’s previous and forthcoming musical ventures that have caused a major stir among the dance music industry. Having toured the world for the past 4 years, DJing on 5 continents, Paul has headlined the event bills at some of the best clubs in the world. He’s no stranger to major music events either, having played at some of the biggest dance festivals around the world for Global Gathering, with their UK, Russia, Ukraine, Poland and Belarus festivals all recently under his belt. During 2008 his extensive tour schedule also took him to North America, South America and Asia, three areas of the world that he will be revisiting in 2009, taking his ever-evolving big room house sound back on the road to appreciative audiences, continent to continent.
For Paul, production has now become as big an infatuation as DJing. Now with his own music released on Baroque, Whoop and Toolroom Records, remixes for Underworld, Sebastien Leger and Deadmau5, Paul has notched up a succession of musical support from the likes of Sasha, Pete Tong and Dubfire, in addition to consistent airplay from BBC Radio 1. Summer 2008 saw a succession of high profile Ibiza dates, his collaborative studio project with Mark Knight and Funkagenda, ‘Arena’, ease its way into the Beatport Top 10 chart, and the release of Paul’s first Godskitchen Underground mix compilation, which was received with critical acclaim from the dance music media.
As the hype surrounding Paul escalates into an audible buzz, his role as a major player on the international house music scene is quickly cementing itself. In an industry often affected by disposable musical trends, Paul brings a fresh, professional approach to delivering deep, driving and uplifting club music to the masses. Amongst the DJs, producers and music industry insiders, the word is that 2009 is going to be a big year for Paul Thomas. We had a quick chat with Paul…
Who or what first inspired you to first get into music?
I first got into djing back in 1996, when I went round a friends house who had a set of decks. I pretty much got hooked from my first spin on them. Speed Garage and pumping house was huge in Birmingham back then and I was sucked in by the energy and vibrancy of the whole dance music scene there. Nights such as Wobble, SLAG, Republica & Sundissential were starting to become institutions and it was a great time to start your clubbing career.
Can you remember the first house tune that has stuck in your heart?
Atlantic Ocean’s ‘Waterfall’. It was the first dance record I got.
When and where was your first ever paid gig and how did it go?
It was for CREAM at the Hush club in 1997. I warmed up for Ade Robinson, who was one of Birmingham best DJs. It was such a legendary club and I remember absolutely bricking it before I went on. Sadly it closed down years ago. I think it got about 30 quid for playing!
You’ve been touring the world for years now, where has really stuck out as an amazing country to party in?
There is a massive scene blowing up in the Ukraine right now. I have been playing there regularly for about 3 years now, and every gig has been great, some of them outstanding. The scene is so fresh there, just like it was here about 10 years ago. Romania is always great as well. I played there 10 times last year!
You regularly play at Global Gathering events, what has been the funniest memory from these times?
I remember a few years ago at an event here in the UK, I got pretty messed up after my gig because it was my birthday. I was messing around in an illuminous pink anorak shouting to a certain DJ that he was a midget and needed a crate to stand on while DJing. A couple of ‘virtically challenged’ guys walked past me and took offence, thinking I was talking about them. We had a bit of a rumble in the rain, me in the anorak getting shoved by a couple of midgets, but nothing too serious. Good times.
Which other DJs do you admire and why?
During 98/99 I got heavily influenced by the whole Global Underground & progressive house vibe, and one DJ in particular, Sasha. I used to go and watch him play all over the country, every weekend, and was in awe of the music he played and the way he played it. He has kept on top of his game throughout his whole career which has to be admired no matter what music you are into.
What was your tune of 2008?
There was loads of great tracks, Mark & Funkagenda’s ‘Red Face’ remake, Prydz released some stormers too, but for me it was Timo Maas’ Subtlelitte. Perhaps the hardest record I have heard in my life! An absolute masterpiece from a legend in the scene.
You’ve remixed for such amazing artists as Josh Wink and Deadmau5, what do you look for when remixing a track? And how can we tell it has your stamp on?
The track always needs to have good parts to be able to do a worthy remix. The 303 line is Higher State is legendary, as are the 8th note chords in Deadmau5’s Not Exactly, so they are both great to work on. I guess to tell it has my style you just have to listen to the other music I am making at that time. I don’t try to keep the same groove or the same arrangement all the time, I just work on what fits that particular track.
You’ve upcoming tours in February in South America and Asia, what do you have planned for the trip? Are you looking forward to it?
I have recently started incorporating more of a live feel into my sets, playing lots of accapellas, loops and other sounds on a 3rd deck, and it’s been getting some really good reactions, so I am looking to trying that out in new territories. I am looking forward to it because 1) I am playing in some new territories that I haven’t played before, and 2) It’s going to be WARM!
Did you always imagine you would become a DJ, or did you have other directions when you were younger?
I had always hoped I would become a DJ, but I always thought it would be a dream. I gave myself good foundations by working in 2 of the best record shops in Birmingham and meeting the right people in the scene. From 17 years old music is all I’ve wanted to do, so I have no idea what I would be doing now if I’d never got my break.
