Exclusive Interview with Tom Wax
Tom Wax has always been a leading figure of the electronic music scene in Germany and inspired a lot of DJs and producers around the globe with his unique sound between House & Techno. Starting his DJ career in 1988 at the world famous club Dorian Gray at Frankfurt Airport he has travelled the world and released over 400 tracks.
Siam2nite had the opportunity to have an exclusive interview with Tom Wax, shortly before his performance at Q Bar on 6th September.
The track “The Art Of Noise - Close To The Edit” inspired you to dedicate your life to electronic music. Do you still remember when you heard it for the first time and how did you get in touch with electronic dance music in the first place?
I got introduced to music by my father, because he played guitar in a rock band and learned me to play guitar as well as piano. The older brother of one of my school friends played The Art Of Noise to me in 1984 and I was blown away from the fact, that you can use the noises of a starting car motor or a smashed car door to create music. I was so inspired by Trevor Horn, the producer of AoN, and wanted to do something like this by myself.
In 1988, at the early age of 16, you stood behind the decks for the first time. How did you get into DJing?
I was just the guy that collected records back in the days and was the one who had to play at every shool party or birthday party of any friend. Music was my passion and I started buying records back in 1982. I never wanted to be a DJ – I just got into it out of my passion for electronic music! In 1990 I played my first real DJ gig at the German Dorian Gray superclub in Frankfurt and that was so amazing that I wanted to go on.
How would you describe your music in just a few words?
Energetic electronic Music between House, Tech-House & Techno always with a groove!
Your first release came out in 1990, since then you have released over 400 tracks under various aliases. Out of all of the tracks you have made, which tracks would you recommend to someone that is not yet familiar with your music?
Past: AWeX – It´s Our Future
Present: Tom Wax feat. Julian Smith – What It Is All About
Future: Tom Wax feat. Marshall Jefferson – Mind & Soul
What are you currently working on? What’s on your agenda for the near future?
A lot of new stuff is in the release pipeline and will be out very soon, here just a few to mention – Tom Wax – If you don´t like (I AM Techno), Tom Wax feat. Mike Dearborn – A Revolution For Change (Bush Records), Tom Wax – Time Has Come Again (Beatdisaster) and I did remixes for Eric Sneo, Jarmillo & Bastien & Davidé Prada. I already started a new label called “Recycled Wax Records”, where I re-release a lot of my own classics as digital download for the first time every 2 weeks from the end of August. Right now I set up another new record label where I will release my WaxWorx 3 Compilation as well as new productions of myself and my producer & DJ friends.
As DJ of the highly successful event series “In Bed with Space World Tour” you bring the sound of “Space Ibiza” to the world. How is it to be an ambassador for such a highly respected brand?
The promoter of In Touch with Ibioza World Tour ( Ceto Ceray) is a very good friend of mine over 15 years now since I was the resident DJ of the world famous Dorian Gray club in Frankfurt / Germany and we toured thru a lot of countries together since 1999. I´m very proud to be an ambassador for this brand and it´s an honor to represent the Ibiza Sound in Asia/ Thailand. I think that I will play a lot more Asia gigs in the future, because Ceto launched his Mind Group Asia office shortly and is working on it!
You host your own monthly radio show "Phuture Sounds". What can you tell us about the concept of the show and where can people listen to it?
You can listen to it on www.bigcitybeats.de and it brings you a Tom Wax DJ mix once a month including all my favorite tunes.
You travel a lot. What are the essential things you need to have with you at all times and what are the things you miss when you are on tour?
My iPhone is always with me and everything that I need is on there like music, pictures,contacts and the online access. On tour I miss my family especially my daughter Nova and all my friends!
What was the best and the worst gig you ever played and what was the funniest thing ever occurred during any of your performances?
In over 25 years of DJing I had too many good and too many worse gigs that I played and I can´t point out one special gig. The funniest happening on my DJ career is that I´m still doing what I love to do after such a long time. I live a dream that I never dreamed!
On 6th September you will perform live here in Bangkok at Q Bar as headlining DJ for “In Touch With Ibiza” and at the After Party at BASH. Have you visited Thailand before? Will your performance be your Bangkok debut?
I have heared a lot about Thailand and Bangkok, but I have never been there, so it will be my Thai-Debut in Bangkok, i thank Mind Group Asia for it ! I´m very excited and I expect something special & outstanding!
Are you adventurous if it comes to food? Do you try the local dishes of the countries you travel to, or do you usually eat what you know from home? Will you give spicy Thai food a chance?
I love spicy Thai food and I can´t wait to try it where it comes from! I´m always open for new food tastes and hope that I get good local advice when I´m in Bangkok.
What can Bangkok expect of your performance?
Great music, great people and a lot of fun!