inthemix | Features | Tommy Trash: Slide in

Tommy Trash is the newest prodigy to Australia’s Dance scene. Recently signed to Ministry of Sound for his original and fresh electronic compositions and featuring his first tune “Slide” on the Ministry of Sound 2007 Annual (mixed by John Course and Mark Dynamix), Tommy Trash is on the up and certainly a name to watch out for. Though his name may be fresh to audiences however, Tommy Trash has been intensely involved with music from age five, when he was gifted with his first Yamaha Little Wonder. The first of many synthesisers to come, Tommy’s talents (and keyboard collection) have since grown considerably, where he is well recognised as an extraordinary session musician, keys player and live performer, studio producer and songwriter. “I always used to make up my own songs on that little Yamaha,” Tommy tells me. “So I guess for me, music has always been about writing. Sound design gets me off too. I remember as a six year sitting in on my brother’s piano lesson making fart noises on the spare electronic organ and getting in trouble. Nothing’s really changed I guess.” These days, Tommy can also add the craft of DJing to his lengthy list of genius.

Growing up amongst the intricate textures of David Bowie, Beatles, New Order, Michael Jackson, ELO, The Petshop Boys, Depeche Mode, Smashing Pumpkins, Pink Floyd, and Donna Summer, it is clear that full orchestral consistencies are Tommy’s forte and preference. Noting that Electro is his preferred DJ style, Tommy claims “that’s what gets me off. Synths, keyboards, drum machines…. these are a few of my favourite things[sic].” Still, genres and categories have never been something that Tommy has ever strictly adhered to. If its great music – be it jazz, country or rock – Tommy will take it all in his stride. “I truly love all genres of music – as long as it has good quality songwriting,” Tommy confirms. “Why the name Tommy Trash though?” I ask him, curious – for Tommy is anything but Trashy. “I have another project with Melbourne producer Ricardo Rae called ‘Trashthetique’” Tommy tells me. “So ‘Tommy Trash’ came from there I guess. Now, where trashthetique came from, is a different story altogether!”

As it is with the new breed of Producer/DJs none-too-gently emerging onto the scene, the previous button-pusher DJ and banal two-chord Producer is slowly being consumed by the bone fide musician – something the Dance Industry appears to be eagerly taking on board. After all, quality music can only come from quality musicians and quality musicianship. Having played keys for over twenty years and including an experience with trumpet and then undertaking Music Composition at The University of Queensland, Tommy stumbled upon the joys of electronic music and promptly dropped his course to pursue his newest passion. Tommy‘s place as the melodic leader of the band’s rhythm section is also marvelously balanced by his exuberance as a performer on stage – certainly something to behold. I have no doubt that this enthusiasm will also translate well to the DJ booth.

Citing “Hooked on Classics 1” as his very first Dance Album – “It had a mad kick and snare” – Tommy has since added considerably towards his album collection. With the recent signing to Ministry of Sounds however, there are sure to be many more tunes churning from his Sydney based studio. “Ministry really have their finger on the pulse, so getting signed to them was a huge compliment,” Tommy divulges to me. When I pointed out to him that MOS are known for following a particular format, I then asked how he manages to work in with this, while retaining his own individual sound. Tommy’s answer is succinct. “I guess at the end of the day, I just do what I do. If it fits, it fits. If they like it, they like it. If they don’t, then they don’t. As an artist, the most important thing is to stay true to what you do and not mould yourself to outside expectations. You are the expert on you. Basically, don’t give too much of a f*ck to what people think – write stuff you believe in.” “Do any of your life experiences contribute to your music?” I ask him. “For sure,” Tommy responds. “I write about all sorts of things – anything that affects me directly or indirectly. With Slide, I was more involved on the music end, rather than the lyrics, so writing the music was inspired from a vocal idea I was really diggin. My forthcoming singles, however, get a lot more personal. To me, music is everything. It’s that simple. I can’t imagine life without it.”

In spite of his recent shift to DJing, Tommy has already supported a few Dance stalwarts – including DJ Sneaky and GoodWill. He has already put together a few remixes with Goodwill, like Sugurium’s “Starbaby”, Russian Superstar Anton Neumark’s cover of INXs “Need U Tonight”, while remixing Craig Obey’s “Music In My Mind” and Basto’s ”Rock With You” for his own personal projects. With his original composition “Slide” featuring at number 6 on Disc One of the MOS 2007 Annual, this is certain to be merely a launch pad for Tommy. “There are more solo records and remixes on the way,” Tommy reveals, including a project in the pipeline for Brisbane’s My Ninja Lover and “more collaborations with Goodwill and a string of new remixes and original 12s” to come.

Especially exciting will be Tommy Trash winging his way to Brisbane this coming Friday, November 3, at GPO’s Codebar for Discotheque, featuring alongside Digital Disco Rockers (BrettJ and Habebe) the famed Baby Gee and mashed up duo, Big Love Deejays. Tommy assures us that audiences can expect “Upfront dirty electro house with a load of my own personal edits, remixes, originals and booties.” Tommy Trash has certainly found a triumphant sanctuary in Electronica. Tommy may have hung about the scene as a professional musician for the last ten years, but there will be no looking back as this humble musician slash-keys player slash-songwriter slash-producer slash-DJ fluidly makes his move into the Dance world. You read it here first folks: “Tommy Trash: Thaumaturgic Talent.”

The Ministry of Sound 2007 Annual, mixed by John Course and Mark Dynamix, is now available at all good record stores.