He’s only been on the scene for a few years, but in a short space of time Tommy Trash has certainly made his presence known. One of the brightest starts on Australia’s burgeoning electro house scene, he’s clocked up 20 remixes so far, for names like Tom Novy, Green Velvet, Armand Van Helden and Mickey Slim (and let’s not forget Delta Goodrem and The Veronicas), and he’s toured Australia several times promoting his Electro House Sessions mix CDs for Ministry of Sound. This weekend he plays the Australian Made party in Melbourne, which is fitting considering he just scored placings in the national DJ and producer categories of the inthemix50. ITM tracked him down for a quick Q&A session.

Your first release was ‘Slide’, which was picked to be used on the 2007 Ministry of Sound Annual. Had you produced anything prior to ‘Slide’?

For sure. I had been working on more trance based and rock stuff for about 6 or so years. The electro house thing kinda started out as a mistake!

It seems every time we look at the ARIA Club Chart there is a new Tommy Trash remix or production in there. How many have you done so far?

Since ‘Slide’ there’s been about 20 remixes and 7 originals.

What would you say has been the most successful?

On the dance floor, I’d have to say that my Delta Goodrem or Green Velvet remixes have worked the best. But for industry cred, it would probably have to be ‘It’s A Swede Thing’.

Many would say remixing pop artists can be risky for your reputation, however you seem to have turned that theory upside down by successfully making stomping remixes for artists like Vanessa Amorosi, The Veronicas and Delta Goodrem. How did you go about remixing these artists?

I was approached by the labels representing each artist and asked to do my thing to them… I think all three went down fine. Delta seems to have been the one that’s stuck with the kids though.

You’re in high demand for your remixes, but I’m wondering if all the time spent working on them takes away from the focus on producing your own original material?

Not at all. I just make sure I keep a balance between them both. I think it’s easier to release more remixes than originals, so I just make sure that I don’t get stuck in remix land for too long.

Any coming up that you can let us know about?

There’s one for GT that I’m putting the final touches on now…

Production aside, you are also known for your awesome DJ sets. What has been the largest crowd you’ve played to, and what’s been your favourite?

I think the biggest was Good Vibrations 2008 with a few thousand there [watching me]. There have been so many favourites, all for different reasons… Do I really have to single one out?!

If there was one place you could play, where would it be?

On the main stage at Dance Valley in Holland!

What do the next six months have in store for you?

I’m putting out a few more originals and remixes, going to Europe to chill, then coming back to Oz for a crazy summer!

inthemix congratulates Tommy on his placing at #4 in the producer category and #24 on the national DJ list in the 2008 Sony inthemix50. To check out the full results head to www.inthemix.com.au/50.