Interview With Paul Thomas

Interview with Toolroom and Godskitchen's, Paul Thomas

Godskitchen worldwide resident, Toolroom records producer, Global Underground artist and stalwart member of the nu breed of house music At only 29 Paul Thomas is someone who is causing something of a major stir in the dance music fraternity. Having touring the world for the past 4 years and playing on 5 continents, Paul has headlined some of the best clubs in the world. Production is now as big a passion as DJing, and past releases include original productions for Toolroom, Little Mountain and Data, plus remixes of Underworld, Josh Wink, D Ramirez & Mark Knight, Sebastien Leger & Deadmau5.

2009 will be a extremely busy year in both the studio and on tour. Tipped by many to be the next big thing in house music, Paul has a raft of new releases on the way. His brand new big room banger Rizer is to be released on Toolroom after Mark Knight proclaimed it as his biggest tune of ADE. Other releases on the way in 2009 include some of the scenes biggest labels: Toolroom, Global Underground, Positiva, Xtravaganza, Little Mountain & Baroque. With remixes forthcoming for Sander Kleinenberg, Chicane & Toolroom plus collaborations with Funkagenda, Richard Dinsdale & Jerome Isma-ae, Paul Thomas is making more waves the most in the scene. We caught up with Paul in the midst of all this craziness to find out his latest and more importantly, his next move...

Do you come from a musical family? What was your first memorable experience with music?

I dont come from a musical family at all. My cousin makes some amazing chill out and deep house, but none of my immediate family play music. My first experience was playing a recorder in the school play!

What was the first house night you ever went to?

I used to go to Republica at Bakers in Birmingham every Saturday night. The DJs they booked were pretty diverse, from Judge Jules playing the trumpet to pumping house and early trance tracks, to Matt Jam Lamont slamming out the speed garage. I used to check out SLAG & Wobble, which were pioneering and influential club nights back in the 90s.

When did you buy your first pair of decks? How did it come about?

I brought them from one of my best mates, Hinsley, who went on to become Polysexual and Sundissential resident. He had some cheap Soundlabs at the time as was about to buy some Technics, so I took the Soundlabs off his hands for about £100. That was back in 1996.

Who is your ultimate hero of the DJ world? Anyone youve not met yet that you would love to meet?

My favourite DJ has always been Sasha. I got hooked on the progressive house scene back in 1998 and used to follow him around the country, and was amazed by the hold he had over a crowd. I have DJed with him a few times and have always been like a star struck teenager! Im warming up for him and John Digweed at Godskitchen in May so Im hoping I dont piss myself in the booth or something.

Sum up what the dance scene means to you in 3 words.

One Big Party.

You are about to remix a Sander Kleinenberg track, My Lexicon, can you tell us more about this and what you have planned for it?

Kalva and myself have just finished it actually. Its one of my favourite tracks from the progressive scene and the riff still gives me tingles now. Ive kept my trademark big toms in the groove, but its a pretty laid back affair. I just hope Sander likes it!

What do you think is the best new acquisition to the production world, any cool new tools youve come across?

Logic 8 all the way! I dont know a producer that doesnt use it now. Its become as industry standard as the Technics 1210s or the Pioneer CDJ1000s. The beat programmer Guru makes writing the whole groove so much easier too. Its not that new but Ive only recently started using it.

You have extensively toured the world DJing at huge events for Global Gathering, where has been the most interesting place to visit, and where has been an amazing party??

Brazil, USA, China, Japan & Russia have all been interesting places for different reasons. You get to see so many cultures, political views and history that it can be fascinating. Party wise, we did Global Gathering in Minsk, Belarus last summer. It was only a 2 stage event, but 15,000 people turned up. It was the first outdoor dance event of its kind in the country and everybody loved it. Most of the DJs who played said it was the best gig they had done that year.

Your new release, Rizer, has received some amazing feedback, can you tell us more about the track?

Its a collaboration between Kalva & myself. We started working together last year and we made this only the 2nd time wed been in the studio together. It was originally inspired by Steve Lawlers 21st Century Ketchup and we played it out a few times and went back in the studio and tweaked it a few times before we came up with the final version. Its just a slab of peak time big room tech house which Mark Knight quoted as his biggest track of the ADE in November.

BUY PAULS LATEST SINGLE, 'RIZER' AT: beatport.com