Hello Paul, Thank you for taking time out to
do this interview with us. It is a huge pleasure.
How are you doing, it was recently turkey day
in the US what are you thankful for?
I’m thankful for being able to do something I
truly enjoy as a job. Not many people get to travel the world and party for a
living! It’s a privileged position to be in.
1.
This is a staple TIE question, what is the first
thing that comes to mind when you hear South Africa?
I would have to say the World Cup, which
probably sounds terrible when there are so many wonderful places in the
country, but as I haven’t been yet I can’t picture any places! England were
terrible in that world cup too, so it doesn’t bring back the best memories
either! Haha
2.
We not sure if you are aware of
this but there is a porn star, a cricketer, a figure skater and many other
people with the name Paul Thomas do you think that this somewhat dilutes your
brand, why did you choose to use your real name and not an alias?
Haha,
yeah I did know that. There’s also a florist and a boxing referee. I’ve also
encountered a commercial DJ here in the UK with the same name, which has been a
little confusing! When I chose my DJ name, there wasn’t such an emphasis on
brand culture like there is now – everything was just about the music. And also
most DJs seemed to use their own name.
3.
Everyone all grow up with ideas
of what we want to be when we older, Have you always wanted to be a DJ/
Producer and what was it about electronic music that attracted you to the
scene?
Actually when I was a kid I
wanted to be a footballer – except I was rubbish! Fascinating fact for you - I
was with Rene Amesz in Russia recently, and he told me he used to play
professional football in the top Dutch football league! How amazing is that! A
professional footballer and DJ in the same life. Anyway, I got drawn in to
electronic music by going to underground clubs in my hometown of Birmingham. I
loved the fact I didn’t know any of the music that was being played, completely
different to the commercial clubs I was used to going to, and I also liked the
friendly culture that went with the scene. The more I went, the more I looked
out the music that was being played until I started working in one of the
record shops where I was searching for the music I loved.
4.
We read somewhere that if you
weren’t in music you would be a chef, so what dish would you use to describe
your sound?
Haha, what a difficult question! I couldn’t
select one dish, I’d have to have around 10 different courses as my music has
such a wide range – how’s that! :)
5.
The industry is very cut throat
with new Djs and producers popping up like weeds. What are some of the
challenges you faced in your career as an artist?
I think we are stuck in the biggest challenge
right now as artists, as music has become so one dimensional and also quite
regressive, that most labels and clubs only seem to want a diluted sound. I’m
hoping that producers can express themselves again in the future and people
break out of the current big room house trend.
6.
There is an abundance of record
labels out there, you are about to launch your own record label Ultraviolet Music on Monday 2nd December why the decision to start your own record label?
I made the decision because I
wanted a home for my own music and also for the artists who I’ve been
supporting heavily, who might not necessarily get noticed by one of the bigger
labels. I will still work with labels such as Toolroom, as it’s still important
to keep that affiliation with bigger brands, but this way I also get to produce
and release whatever music I like.
For more on Ultraviolet Music click here
7.
Every record label has a
signature sound that it represents it, what sound or message are you hoping to portray
with Ultraviolet music?
I just want to release good, underground
music from friends and colleagues I love and support. There hasn’t really been
any other ethos to it. I have never stuck to playing or making one particular
sound, and the label will also reflect that, too.
8.
What criteria needs to be meet by
aspiring producer hoping to have their tracks signed to Ultraviolet music?
Just be original with your music. Don’t copy
latest trends, have your own mind and don’t be afraid to take chances or be
expressive. I listen to every demo I am sent and there are so many unheard of,
fresh sounding artists out there that are so good at what they do. These
artists will always have a home on my label.
9.
We have dubbed 2013 ‘s sound as
farty farty same same, What are your predictions for 2014’s sound?
Hahaha, that is the best
description I’ve ever heard for a sound, and you are also spot on with it! I
have a feeling things are going to shift underground and also a bit more fun
will be brought back into the house scene. I really miss the days of
Subliminal, Defected when they were a little more accessible, Erick Morillo,
Roger Sanchez in their hey day… but I can hear that fun coming back into the UK
house scene and with producers like My Digital Enemy and Prok & Fitch doing
so well, I can see it flourishing.
10. Djing is something everyone can learn but producing is way trickier.
You have no musical training, do you remember the first time you sat down to
producer a record, and how did the record turn out?
Haha, yes I do remember, but I’m not sure I
have the bollocks to tell you. I am close friends with Funkagenda, and my first
record was a collaboration with him, which was a hard house version of a
classic track. I am not going to tell you what it is, as I’m almost sick in my
own mouth at the thought of it…
11. It appears to be a trend with UK DJs to get tattoo’s do you have
any and would you consider getting a sleeve?
Haha! I love that your questions are so spot
on! Yes, it is a trend it seems, but no, I won’t be getting one. I’ve never
thought of anything that would mean so much to me that I would want it tattoo’d
on myself. I think to have one it would need to be really personal – not a
shitty tribal thing that has absolutely no meaning. Quite funny actually, I
once has a dream I had someone’s face tatto’d onto my face. That was weird…
12. Which words or phrases do you overuse?
My girlfriend will tell you I use ‘no
worries’ & ‘to be honest’ all the time, much to her annoyance! I also quite
like the word cunt, which gets used a lot when I’m driving my car.
13. Christmas is around the
corner what are you hoping to find in your Christmas sock?
A new studio mac would be nice as mine
decided to give up last week!
14. Lastly, can fans expect a label launch party / label tours, and
what’s next for Paul Thomas?
We have the first label launch
party happening in my hometown of Birmingham on 7th December. Then
we are taking it to Asia in January and then to Ministry of Sound in London in
February. After that, who knows! I’m still working with other labels and
collaborations, too. There’s a new single coming with one of the real legends
of the scene, and someone who I’ve looked up to since I first got into
electronic music. I know that is a bit vague and slightly teasing, but he’s
sworn me to secrecy so I can’t say anything yet!
Last Messages for fans?
I really hope you enjoy what I put out on the
label. It will be a music lovers label, and I know there’s a lot of you out
there :)
Thank you so much for doing this interview
with us. We hope to see you playing in South Africa soon