A Sit Down With DJ Thomas Gold
08:41 Oct/17/2017
Normally when you think of Germany and electronic music, the first association that come to mind are dark techno clubs scattered around Berlin. That is still the driving force behind the Germans, but there are those who can comfortably occupy a main stage slot just as well as one of his underground countrymen can DJ a dark club until the early the sun rises. Here we find Thomas Gold...
How and when did you first begin your exploration of dance music?
When I was fifteen I started listening to house music. I loved the sound of the music at that time and I loved dancing. I decided I wanted to make my own music. I started playing keyboards when I was seven and then when I was sixteen I got my first synthesizer. I started making my own music and later on I would DJ at my friends parties. About two years later I got my first job at a local venue. They actually fired me after my first night because it was so bad. So then I went home and practiced. I learned how to read the crowd, how to react to them and how to make them dance. A year later I started working at a club and I became a resident there for five years. After that I got more jobs and just kept going.
Whats your production style like, what are the first and last steps you take when making a track?
Generally speaking, I always go for a musical approach when producing tracks, be it remixes or original productions. I try to get a vibe, a rhythmic structure or a short bassline loop which in my opinion fits best for the given theme, hook or vocal and then I build my mix upon this basis element. When there is a basic layout or arrangement, I do all the fine tweaks, effects and additional sounds or vocal bits. But this can also happen in the middle of working on the track - just as it comes to my mind.
You are originally from Berlin, Germany. There are some pretty iconic dance clubs in Berlin and throughout Europe. What are some of your favorite rooms in Europe?
I love Berlin of course, for its authentic and very organic music scene. Whenever I have time to go out here, I try to visit a club and hang out with friends. Apart from that, I love Barcelona for its vibrant nightlife scene, and of course Ibiza is one of my all time favorites.
How do you balance touring and producing?
Yeah actually it's not very easy, you have to find your way. I remember last year I was a little bit sad that I did a lot of touring which is cool but I didn't get enough lot of studio time to produce my tracks, so I had to change something.
Have you been working with any up and coming producers/DJs that you would like to mention?
There are a lot of collaborations with singers/songwriters, but none of them are actually DJs. This is also a very new and fresh experience for me.
If you werent a DJ/producer what would you be?
I cant really imagine. Id be doing something creative. Where I can work with my own ideas and grow. I cant really imagine being out of the industry. Live with and for the music. Making sounds. Its been with me all my life.
If you had few days of not making music, what would you do?
I would hang out with friends, and chill. Host BBQs and grill some nice steaks)
Youve worked with a lot of labels over the years. You released The Chant on Armada Music. How do you decide what labels to work with?
When I do a track, I always try to find the right home (label) for it, and I have been releasing on all kinds of labels (Axtone Records, Size Records, Spinnin Records, Toolroom, Revealed Recordings, Protocol Recordings and Armada Music) and I am in touch with all of them for possible future releases.
Besides dance music, what other styles of music or artists do you enjoy listening to?
I really love underground stuff, but then I also love Disclosure, The Weekend, and slower music.
Where you sees the future of electronic dance music?
I think it is going to evolve a little bit, and it will go back to smoother and softer sounds. Four or five years ago everything was very groovy and melodic.
You regularly tour all over the world, from Canada to Brazil to Lebanon whats been the gig of the year for you so far and wheres been the best country to party in since you started playing internationally?
One of my favourite shows this year was in Brazil, in Rio De Janeiro at "The Week". Amazing club, awesome sound system and an incredible vibe. As for the best country, I couldn't say which is THE BEST one. When it comes to music there is no really big difference anymore. It is more a matter of the club, big or small, undergroundy or commercial and of course the venue itself. I`ve got the impression that people know how to party no matter where they from and where they live.
Your advice for hopeful producers and DJs.
Take your time, do your own thing and try to find your own personal signature, style or sound. You have to do it every day, every single hour and you have to be passionate about what youre doing do what you love and put all your energy into it.
https://soundcloud.com/thomasgoldofficial/thomas-gold-feat-mimoza
Back to news
Normally when you think of Germany and electronic music, the first association that come to mind are dark techno clubs scattered around Berlin. That is still the driving force behind the Germans, but there are those who can comfortably occupy a main stage slot just as well as one of his underground countrymen can DJ a dark club until the early the sun rises. Here we find Thomas Gold...
"I would consider myself as a successful person, since I am making a living doing music".
How and when did you first begin your exploration of dance music?
When I was fifteen I started listening to house music. I loved the sound of the music at that time and I loved dancing. I decided I wanted to make my own music. I started playing keyboards when I was seven and then when I was sixteen I got my first synthesizer. I started making my own music and later on I would DJ at my friends parties. About two years later I got my first job at a local venue. They actually fired me after my first night because it was so bad. So then I went home and practiced. I learned how to read the crowd, how to react to them and how to make them dance. A year later I started working at a club and I became a resident there for five years. After that I got more jobs and just kept going.
Whats your production style like, what are the first and last steps you take when making a track?
Generally speaking, I always go for a musical approach when producing tracks, be it remixes or original productions. I try to get a vibe, a rhythmic structure or a short bassline loop which in my opinion fits best for the given theme, hook or vocal and then I build my mix upon this basis element. When there is a basic layout or arrangement, I do all the fine tweaks, effects and additional sounds or vocal bits. But this can also happen in the middle of working on the track - just as it comes to my mind.
You are originally from Berlin, Germany. There are some pretty iconic dance clubs in Berlin and throughout Europe. What are some of your favorite rooms in Europe?
I love Berlin of course, for its authentic and very organic music scene. Whenever I have time to go out here, I try to visit a club and hang out with friends. Apart from that, I love Barcelona for its vibrant nightlife scene, and of course Ibiza is one of my all time favorites.
How do you balance touring and producing?
Yeah actually it's not very easy, you have to find your way. I remember last year I was a little bit sad that I did a lot of touring which is cool but I didn't get enough lot of studio time to produce my tracks, so I had to change something.
Have you been working with any up and coming producers/DJs that you would like to mention?
There are a lot of collaborations with singers/songwriters, but none of them are actually DJs. This is also a very new and fresh experience for me.
If you werent a DJ/producer what would you be?
I cant really imagine. Id be doing something creative. Where I can work with my own ideas and grow. I cant really imagine being out of the industry. Live with and for the music. Making sounds. Its been with me all my life.
If you had few days of not making music, what would you do?
I would hang out with friends, and chill. Host BBQs and grill some nice steaks)
Youve worked with a lot of labels over the years. You released The Chant on Armada Music. How do you decide what labels to work with?
When I do a track, I always try to find the right home (label) for it, and I have been releasing on all kinds of labels (Axtone Records, Size Records, Spinnin Records, Toolroom, Revealed Recordings, Protocol Recordings and Armada Music) and I am in touch with all of them for possible future releases.
Besides dance music, what other styles of music or artists do you enjoy listening to?
I really love underground stuff, but then I also love Disclosure, The Weekend, and slower music.
Where you sees the future of electronic dance music?
I think it is going to evolve a little bit, and it will go back to smoother and softer sounds. Four or five years ago everything was very groovy and melodic.
You regularly tour all over the world, from Canada to Brazil to Lebanon whats been the gig of the year for you so far and wheres been the best country to party in since you started playing internationally?
One of my favourite shows this year was in Brazil, in Rio De Janeiro at "The Week". Amazing club, awesome sound system and an incredible vibe. As for the best country, I couldn't say which is THE BEST one. When it comes to music there is no really big difference anymore. It is more a matter of the club, big or small, undergroundy or commercial and of course the venue itself. I`ve got the impression that people know how to party no matter where they from and where they live.
Your advice for hopeful producers and DJs.
Take your time, do your own thing and try to find your own personal signature, style or sound. You have to do it every day, every single hour and you have to be passionate about what youre doing do what you love and put all your energy into it.
https://soundcloud.com/thomasgoldofficial/thomas-gold-feat-mimoza
Latest news
- 03.08.2020 Ivan Dorn unearths stunning new single 'Love Could Be'
- 22.05.2019 Selena Gomez at Cannes 2019
- 22.05.2019 Here Are the Lyrics to Taylor Swift's 'ME!,'
- 22.05.2019 Why Gwyneth Paltrow Has Worked Hard'
- 20.05.2019 Netherlands wins Eurovision
- 22.05.2019 Julia Roberts Reveals Why Shes Never Watched Game of Thrones
- 22.05.2019 Elton John: 'Being a performer saved my life'
- 22.05.2019 Shakira and Carlos Vives beat plagiarism case
- 20.05.2019 Taylor Swift admits strange shower habit
- 19.05.2019 Sam Smith & Normani's 'Dancing With a Stranger' Hits No. 1
- 19.05.2019 Michael Jackson's Eldest Child Prince Graduates
- 15.05.2019 Taylor Swift Reacts to YouTubers' 'ME!'
- 19.05.2019 Unfinished Prince memoir gets publication date
- 15.05.2019 'Daisy Jones & the Six' goes behind the music
- 15.05.2019 P!nk and Stormzy Continue U.K. Chart Reigns
- 15.05.2019 Halsey Announces New Single 'Nightmare'
- 14.05.2019 Grandmaster Flash wins Polar Music Prize
- 14.05.2019 New releases from Amanda Palmer, Stella Donnelly
- 19.05.2019 Hozier talks about new album 'Wasteland, Baby!'
- 14.05.2019 Myspace loses 50 million songs
Back to news