The lights from the world stage continue to burn brightly upon Australia. It is especially fulfilling to know that Australia, and particularly the small town of Brisbane, is a sanctuary for emerging talent. This is especially so with trance DJ tyDi – Brisbane’s very own prodigy. His list of accomplishments is vast. A residency at top Australian club Family from the age of 18, reaching number 12 nationally for the inthemix50 and #3 for his homestate of Queensland in 2006, and supports of such heady names as Paul Van Dyk, Christopher Lawrence, Jumping Jack and Bexta, among many other elite internationals and national DJs. Then there’s his amazing performances before mass crowds at the Big Day Out, Slinky, Godskitchen, Adventj*h and Mayhem, and several original productions and remixes signed and released. tyDi’s star continues to soar towards atmospheric heights in 2007, and with the recent and momentous news that he’s the first Australian to be signed to European dance giant Armada Music (the very label founded by Armin Van Buuren, Maykel Piron and David Lewis), tyDi’s joy knows no bounds. “Life couldn’t be better,” he confirms to me as we sit in his studio, his green eyes shining. “I thought life was already incredible about this time last year,” he notes, “but unbelievably, it keeps getting better.”

The young man behind the tyDi phenomenom is Tyson Illingworth – a 20 year old Music Technology student studying at the illustrious Queensland Conservatorium under the watchful gazes of Dr Paul Draper and Matt Hitchcock. Still very fresh to his music career, tyDi’s success seems to have come quickly, but his triumphs comes from a focussed and determined attitude. The story with Tyson starts as a youngster living on the sunshine coast of Queensland, spearfishing and swimming on golden beaches with his parents and three sisters. From a young age, Tyson always wanted to be involved with music. He sang in choir (though he claims it more as “lip syncing” than actual singing) and took up drums – thus establishing his sense of timing from a young age. It was at fourteen however when his feet was placed behind the decks that he felt he had found the ultimate instrument. “I love piano and keys,” Tyson has disclosed to me past conversations. “But the decks give me unlimited sounds – including keys. The studio and electronic music has ALL the options. I really like electronic. I love how you can take timbres from different sounds and chop them up to construct something completely new each time. Writing music on computers gives me all the options and the freedom.”

After establishing his turntable skills, he was likewise moved to write his own music, with a track making it onto vinyl at 16. A year later saw the Queensland Conservatorium accepting him into their ranks into the Bachelor of Music Technology degree where he continues to suffer through the many classes and expectations the Conservatorium is notorious for. This in itself is rather special, for it outlines Tyson as ‘not just another DJ’ and places him in the class of professionally trained musician and audio technician. “It’s hard,” Tyson states about studying at the Conservatorium. “But I really enjoy it because it really takes me into the processes involved in music. Music is so powerful – whether it be an uplifting trance tune or an Oasis track – and studying it gives me the chance to really make the most of that power.” tyDi really found sturdy ground after taking out the crown for Central Battle which propelled him directly into the limelight and generated more than enough interest for him to perform at Godskitchen in 2005 at Family. After a stellar performance, Family was likewise impelled to bring an underage tyDi on board as resident DJ. This has in turn served to significantly build up the trance scene in Queensland, with tyDi undoubtedly leading its charge at the forefront alongside Baby Gee. With a smashing set warming up the floor for Paul Van Dyk, his awards with the inthemix50 and his first international performances throughout Asia, Tyson proclaimed 2006 as “the best year ever.” But 2007 has seen tyDi lift the bar and set an unprecedented limit of victory.

“Twelve months ago I had just supported PvD,” Tyson reminisces. “I had made it with [the] inthemix50 and I felt I was really at a great place. In particular, my energies were focussed on completing my album.” “What album is this?” I ask him. He promptly reaches over and starts playing a few tracks from his Mac computer. Many of the tracks are ones well recognised having been performed at many of his sets over the last year. Ready for release in October on Bexta’s Mixology label, ‘Falling On My Own’ is a collection of tunes that came about from Tyson’s own hard times. “It’s personal – a product close to my heart,” Tyson notes – something the listener will not fail to hear themselves. There is a plaintive touch just from the titles alone; ‘One Last Kiss’, ‘Is It Cold’, ‘Alone’ and ‘Look Closer’ all delve deep into exploring emotions from a failed relationship and emerging all the better from it. This is especially signified with the tune ‘Amazing’, leaving the album to finish on a high place from the deep emotions that are first established. “Amazing is my most favourite track,” Tyson informs me. “It’s my show off track – I emerge from the clouds all the better,” he notes proudly. “I’ve already put this album behind me though,” he laughs. “I’m already working on my next album. It will be harder, edgier, more resolute. I also have loads of single productions and tunes ready too.”

“Music is my escape,” Tyson notes as he fiddles around on his computer; his mix of a recent set on Triple J now coming out through the speakers. “It’s all I think about. I even sleep in the same room as my studio!” he proclaims. “I have to write about something that is meaningful to me. That doesn’t mean to say it can’t be fun – but music is my form of expressing myself. When I write, it’s because something has inspired me and so it comes out. I love trance of course, but I’m looking at progressive, as well as minimal, house and ambient.” Tyson stops momentarily and grimaces. “I think the word ‘electro’ is thrown about too much. I’m a bit over it to be honest. I love the digital sound, but it’s like it’s almost eaten itself,” he remarks, before continuing, “I’ve had some incredible interstate performances lately. Sublime is so into taking it hard. And the crowd loved my melodic trance. I even ended up on the speakers at Home once,” he laughs. “The launch for the GeneratioNext CD has been fantastic. The launch in Brisbane was incredible – I went all out with my performance. The gigs in Sydney and Darwin were just as incredible – I got to share the same hotel as Nicole Kidman!” It was actually whilst in Darwin that Tyson’s career path altered to reach the victorious point he is at now. ”I was in the airport coming home,” Tyson recalls. “I had this structure in my head needing to come out – so I sat down and set out the structure and layout so that by the time I could get back into my studio in Brisbane, I was able to lay down the tracks.” The result was minimal trance tune ‘Meet Me In Kyoto’. Tyson set about sending these to various labels, instantly attracting the interest of Armada Music among many others. “When that landed in my inbox, I just couldn’t believe it!” Tyson states excitedly. I certainly believe him, being the recipient of the news myself via a text at 4.30am on a Monday morning.

“Where to now?” I ask him as we watch his red pet fish swimming around in its pretty bowl. “Well, I have to get through uni yet,” he replies. “Then I have another few tracks to finish. I’m collaborating with a few other artists – Baby Gee has been at my house until 4am some mornings as we work on tracks together. I’ve also just completed a session with Manta Ray (frontliner vocals of My Ninja Lover) – that was awesome! Working with Manta was so easy – she had it down in the first take! Manta is very talented – her voice just makes me melt. Having her voice on my music is such a spinout for me. It will be released early 2008 on vinyl as ‘Mind Games’.” Tyson fiddles with his drum sticks as he continues to speak to me. “I’ve got more records coming out with some DJs overseas mixing some of my stuff. I’m in the process of sorting out a music clip and I’m also working on the score for a film. I’ve recently been working on the soundtrack to a rather awesome computer game too.” Due to the confidentiality agreements involved, the actual name of the game or the company can’t be released, though I am treated to the trailer where I can confirm everything about the game, from the visuals, graphics, character concepts to the music is just brilliant. “I’ve kept myself busy,” Tyson claims. “I’ve also just updated and resized my studio too with new speakers and a new desk. I use Logic and Protools on a Mac system,” Tyson confirms. “The Mac is sexy,” Tyson notes smiling at me. “Will you be staying in Brisbane?” I ask. “Absolutely,” Tyson firmly declares. “There’s uni and my family and my friends, so there’s no point in me heading south. Technology means I can keep in touch with anyone at anytime without needing to shift my base. Besides, Brisbane is very good to me,” he notes. “I’m still enjoying playing at Family too – I’m loyal to them. They support me so much. That means a lot to me. They’re so strong,” he comments. “I’m grateful to so many people out there – from the people who turn up each Friday to see me play, to the friends and family in my life who encourage me in everything I do.”

“How are you feeling about 2007’s inthemix50?” I ask him as he continuously moves around his room and fiddles with things while also playing with his computer. “I’m a bit nervous,” Tyson claims. “But I set such high standards for myself. I love how inthemix50 involves everyone. I don’t really care where I get – I wouldn’t mind to at least make it into the top 50. It’s important to me in that I get acknowledgement from people who genuinely appreciate what I do I guess. But there are so many awesome house acts out at the moment. It’s okay of course if people don’t like what I do. I would like for people to love me,” he grins, “but it’s not the end of the world if they don’t. I don’t want to be commercialised. Really, it’s not the end of the world if I don’t get anywhere this year. It’s not as important as writing music. I’m also really looking forward to the release of my ‘Falling On My Own’ in October, and my upcoming supports for Paul Van Dyk at Family in Brisbane and in Cairns. I’m going to keep doing what I’ve been doing; keep writing music; and keep playing. I love my studio and love recording in it. I love playing to a crowd. I love watching people react to my music.”

tyDi has raised the bar and set the limit. Sky high is the boundary and undoubtedly, tyDi will continue his upsurge towards this peak. With a determination to pursue and refine his craft, tyDi’s accomplishments set him apart and establish him as a dilettante in the making. With a course set to superstar levels, the consequences will be a resolute and positive course. The name of tyDi will only continue to shine brightly, not just in Australia, but in DJ booths and studios across the world. While his youth currently affirms tyDi as a prodigy, his musical genius and steadfast ambition casts him into the sphere of professional. With many achievements ahead and behind him, tyDi is casting the shadow as Brisbane’s first electronic virtuoso onto the expanse of the dance globe.

Will Tydi make an appearance in this year’s inthemix50? Be sure to keep your eyes glued to ITM as we’ll be revealing the full list of winners at the Sydney awards night on Wednesday September 12th!