by: Amanda Savage
DJ and producer, Thomas Gold, spoke to AFM before his Memorial Day weekend kick-off show Friday, May 24, at Maya Day and Nightclub in Old Town, Scottsdale. Gold talks music, passion, touring and what he would do on a day off.
AFM: So you’re playing in Scottsdale at Maya Day Club for Memorial Day weekend. Have you been here before? What are you excited for? Will you be dropping any new tracks?
Thomas: I have been to Scottsdale before but never played at Maya Day & Nightclub. I just remember the crowd was great and it was big fun to play! They say Maya is a new club so I’m really looking forward to that! I’ll bring a bunch of new music with me, edits, mashups and maybe some new original stuff. . .
AFM: Is there anything you look forward to about visiting Arizona or the Southwest in general? Food, sites, people etc., ?
Thomas: I won’t have much time to stay so no sightseeing etc – but actually I do look forward to some nice food and a heavy party crowd!
AFM: So you’re based in Berlin, one of the biggest nightlife cities in the world! How does the city influence your music style?
Thomas: I’ve been making music before I moved to Berlin so it was not the initial musical influence. But I love to go out and hang out in clubs when I’m home. The music here is rather minimal/techy and underground. But there is always a lot of fresh inspiration when I listen to other DJs sets here!
AFM: When you make music, are you more of an artist inspired by feelings and experimentation or a sound engineer who applies logic and principle?
Thomas: When I write music, it’s all about feelings, experimentation and spontaneous ideas I have. But, in the process of crafting and tweaking a track it often comes down to technical things, but always in a musical way. For example when you work on the low end of a track there are some acoustic principles I’m working with to get kick drum and bass sounds working well together. Also when I use stuff like compressors and EQs it’s both – a musical and technical approach.
Thomas: I could not point out a specific date or moment. I’ve always been passionate about the electronic music since I started listening to music at all. I always had this dream of making music myself. I started producing at around the same time I started DJing so both things came together quite naturally and evolved over time.
AFM: If DJing remained a hobby, where do you think you’d be at right now?
Thomas: No idea! I think it would be something with music at least!
AFM: Your remix of “Feel Again” by One Republic is really emotional, what made you want to remix that song?
Thomas: The original track is quite emotional and I fell in love with it the moment I heard it for the first time. The vocal is beautiful and the sounds and instruments gave me instant inspiration for the remix!
AFM: Are there any other DJs, producers or artists you want to work with in the future? Anything in the works right now?
Thomas: There are a lot of producers I would love to work together with – but most of the collaborations just happen accidentally. I’m in the middle of some projects right now and I’m quite excited about those!
AFM: Who are some current and older artists you’re into? EDM or not. If you want to party what are you turning on vs. when you want to relax.
Thomas: EDM-wise, I’m really into Axwell’s stuff, I love the way he plays his sets and how he produces. Also I’m a fan of guys like Alesso, Hardwell. Actually I’m listening to the new Daft Punk album and I’m really digging it!
AFM: You’re going to celebrate your 50th show on Sirius XM, congrats! Do you approach the show differently than a live show? Do you jam out with yourself in the radio room?
Thomas: Yes, we have a special show – 2 hours length instead of the normal 1 hour – and all tracks will be chosen by the fans! And yes – I often jam out when I’m putting together the show, that’s what it’s all about! ha ha!
AFM:Your wrapping up your North American spring tour in a few weeks. What’s in store for the rest of the year? What are your plans this summer?
Thomas: I will start my residency in Las Vegas at LIGHT on 29th May and have a day & night party on June 8th there! Of course I will do a lot of gigs in Europe at all those beautiful summer places like Mykonos, Marbella and I’ll be playing quite a few shows in Ibiza – couple of times at Amnesia together w Alesso, Otto Knows and Sander van Doorn. I’m really excited to be part of the new show from Axwell and Sebastian Ingrosso Departures @ Ushuaia! Also there will be a lot of festivals like Tomorrowland, Mysteryland, Veld in Toronto and EDC Vegas is very close!
AFM: Do you have future plans that don’t involve making music? Are you a DJ for life or do you see yourself wanting to settle down at some point?
At the moment it’s all about making music and DJing and I can’t really imagine life without it!
AFM: Are you a beer or spirits guy?
Beer! (I’m German, you know ha ha)
AFM: You have one day free to do whatever you want, what are you doing?
Hanging out with my friends, going to the movies or just doing nothing!
Follow Amanda on Twitter @Amanda_Savage
