Interview- Paul Thomas

We caught up with tech/house DJ, Paul Thomas before his recent gig at the Blue Frog in Mumbai!

Tell me a little about your musical background. How did you get into DJing and electronic music in general?

It started about 15 years and I bought my first decks to randomly play around with. After a while I started doing it professionally, playing for Godskitchen, Birmingham in 2004.

Who is the one producer you would love to collaborate with?

I don’t play much of his music because it’s so unique and kind of isolated that it doesn’t really fit my sets but Eric Prydz is someone I’d love to collaborate with. His melodies are just brilliant.

What have you been up to lately? Playing a lot? Or spending more time in the studio? When can fans expect a new release?

I played a lot of gigs in the UK throughout the summer, got a lot of a time in the studio and I’m coming out with a lot of stuff on Doorn records, Garuda and even one on Anjunabeats. I’m basically trying to cross the Trance and House boundaries and kind of marry them.

So do you prefer House or Trance?

I love Trance melodies and House basslines and grooves- something that marries Anjunabeats and Toolroom maybe.

Gig of 2011?

Probably global gathering in Belarus; I’ve done all the Global Gatherings till now. Belarus was mental and it’s the fourth time we’ve done it, it’s kind of newer and fresh.

Best festival experience?

Probably, Global Gathering in the UK in 2005. It generally always falls on my birthday weekend. This year, ‘twas on my birthday itself, and I remember Sasha was playing on the main stage with 12,000 people there. Suddenly the promoter called me saying Groove Armada had to cancel and asked me whether I’d close after Sasha. It was mental.

4 things you always carry on tour?

Adaptors, Laptop, Passport (obviously), Teddy Bear that my son always make sure I take with me!

Most inspirational modern day DJ?

I would probably say (although I don’t do what he does) – Funkagenda. He’s so meticulous with every single thing, it really, really shows, he gets everything smack on. Every time I’ve seen him in the past two years, he’s always blown me away.

Gear you can’t do without?

Ableton, just to work out what goes with what.

5 of the hottest dance tunes right now?

- Eric Prydz- 2Night

- Robin S vs. Save The Robot- Show Me Love (Ben Nicky Ibiza Mashup)

- Mark Knight, Wolfgang Gartner and Fatboy Slim- Conscindo 69 (Jon Kong + Chris Aidy rework)

- Terrino- 360

- Sleeping Under The Stars- Paul Thomas

You can listen to Paul Thomas here: www.soundcloud.com/djpaulthomas