The consummate joker, Tom Novy is nevertheless a seriously skilled music master. One of Germany’s most successful exports is making it big down under with tracks like “Your Body” enjoying massive rotation in clubs and radio airplay time. The DJ, producer, radio & MTV host took some time to chat with Emma Krieger about his upcoming tour & what constitutes the ‘Novy sound’.
This is your first tour ‘down under’, what are you looking forward to?
I have been looking forward to playing in Australia for years. If ever there was a right time to come, it’s now! I really look forward to playing in all the gorgeous venues in Australia…I am fortunate to be touring in six cities, so I will have the chance to really get a feel of the whole country. You always hear about how amazing Australia is and how if you go there for a visit, you never want to leave. I don’t think this is just about the landscape and the beaches though…I think it has a lot to do with the people! I’m looking forward to seeing how you guys party and hopefully leaving a lasting impression.
You’re now significantly well known outside your hometown, Germany. Was it your intention to break into the world dance scene?
You can imagine as an artist, breaking into the international market is what most of us want to accomplish. To have the chance to make a career outside Germany is what I always dreamed of. Obviously I wanted to establish myself in my home territory first though. This was very important to me. Germany is my home and I have enjoyed the years of building up my career here. We have a wicked club scene in Germany and the fans are very loyal. I have been making music now for the past 20 years…I want to keep having fun and to never stop enjoying what I am doing. What were my intentions coming into this scene?? Ok let’s be honest… I’m in it for the girls! (Laughs)
It’s widely known that your collaboration with Kosmo Records producer Eniac back in 1995, subsequently working under the moniker Novy Vs. Eniac & creating the successful house track ‘Superstar’ in 1997 (which has since been voted in the top 10 most influential songs in dance music by Raveline magazine), really kicked off your career. Do you view this as your ‘lucky break’ & what was that time like in terms of been successfully launched into the dance music world?
The first record I made with Kosmo was called “I House U”. It was very successful in Germany and as this was my first record, and my home territory, it was a great feeling for me! “Super Star” came two years later and just took off! Of course, at that moment, my life became filled with super models, champagne, expensive cars, private jets…you know how it is! (Laughs)
Chart your music influences throughout your career – what do you think encompasses the ‘Tom Novy’ sound?
Well, in beginning it was Hip Hop and then I found a love for Dance Music and became part of the dance scene. As a DJ, being part of the dance scene means I am really influenced by everything…not only the music, but the audience, and the environment around me. You become quite sensitive to that in a way. The Tom Novy sound (if you call it that), is really a mix of all these influences. I am not into categorizing my music…I don’t like to be put in a box that way. My music is a reflection of my life, the times, the fans, the scene, and all the vibes around me.
What do you enjoy more – the producing or DJing side of music, & why?
This is one of those strange questions… It is like asking if you like your Ferrari or Lamborghini better. They both get you girls…so why not just drive both? (laughs). DJing and Producing are both such a big part of my life and to me, really one in the same. I don’t think I could ever choose one over the other. I hope to continue doing both for as long as possible.
You were one of the first German DJs to do a mix on the ‘Ministry of Sound Annual’ & have now established a firm alliance with the English dance label. Do you think this has helped you gain world notoriety & what’s the best part of such an alliance?
I was THE first German DJ… At the moment, I am working with MOS in Australia and in the UK. Having the opportunity to be on a label of such stature is fantastic of course. MOS is a staple in the dance scene. They have contributed so much to this genre. Having a record out on this label is obviously going to get you more exposure and more international notoriety. They have the power to make things happen. People are always watching to see what they do next. MOS has an excellent crew of some of the best music industry guys and girls in the business. I have this massive machine behind me pushing my record. You can’t ask for anything more than that!
You mix a weekly radio show on FFN and another on Radio Energy (NRJ), what are some of the advantages, on both a producing & DJing level, to having your own show?
There are lots of advantages obviously. For one, as a DJ and Producer, I am able to test my records out on a massive audience. I can give people a taste of my own sound on the radio and reach a larger audience than I do in the clubs. It also gives me the chance to introduce the newest tracks in the scene and show the fans what’s up! It’s exciting to think that some 2 ½ and a half million people are listening to my show and jamming out to my music.
You’re also a host on MTV. What do you enjoy most about his role?
It’s fun being in front of the camera. I am a bit of a joker, so I enjoy this. The shows I have done on MTV have been with live audiences and I am able to interact with people one on one. It’s different than making music. It gives me the chance to break out of my other role as a DJ… Its loads of fun working on these shows. The MTV crew is great. We definitely have had a lot of laughs!
You’ve remixed tracks for Sin Plomo (“It’s You”), Eddie Amador (“Rise’) & Sander Kleinenberg’s (“The Fruit”), to name a few. What do you credit as some of your favourite remixes & how does this process help when it comes to producing your own tracks?
Some of my favourite mixes are the “The Fruit” and the one I did for Eric Morillo, “What Do You Want”. There is a new one for Sesso Matto “I Need Somebody” and I really love the Moonbootica remix I did of “June”. Producing my own tracks is completely different from remixing. When you do a remix, the idea for the track is already there and is someone else’s. It is fun to come up with new playbacks and to tweek the tracks out…but ultimately, it is someone else’s song. When I produce a track, the entire concept of the song is my own creation. This is a completely different feeling in the studio.
You’re well known as a bit of an ‘Ibiazian star’. Describe what its like playing in one of the most reputable dance party locations?
As we all know, Ibiza is considered the “Party Capital of The World”. It didn’t get this reputation for ‘nothing! I wouldn’t say I was an Ibizian Star. Everyone is a star in Ibiza…it’s the way it makes you feel when you are on the island… like you can conquer anything… or maybe it’s the drugs that make you feel that way (laughs). I can say I had a wicked summer…and most definitely left my mark on the island (in some form or another). What’s it like playing one of the best parties on the planet?? Well, you know you had a good time in Space when you can’t remember what you did. Thank God for digital cameras! (laughs). Having a residency at Space on Sundays was incredible. The energy is indescribable. I am sure if any of you have been there, you know what I mean. As a DJ, I feed off the crowd and the energy here is contagious! You throw down a big record and the people go mad! This is why I love this job! You come into a club like Space buzzing with adrenaline and anticipation and you leave completely satisfied! There is no better feeling than a good Sunday on Space terrace.
You can catch Tom Novy when he tours nationally for Ministry of Sound:
Thu 20th Oct – Discovery, Darwin
Fri 21st Oct – Room 680, Melbourne
Sat 22nd Oct – Home, Sydney (BUY TICKETS)
Sun 23rd Oct – Platinum, Gold Coast
Fri 28th Oct – Metro City, Perth (BUY TICKETS)
Sat 29th Oct – Family, Brisbane
