Polish DJ and remixer Tom Swoon maybe relatively new to the electronic dance music scene but it hasn’t taken him long to build a reputation throughout the industry. With the likes of Nervo and Gareth Emery championing his music and people like Steve Aoki commissioning him for official remixes, this youngster is on his way to the top. Not bad for someone who’s revising for exams, finishing secondary school and has only been DJing for 3 years. “I was 15 when I heard Deadmau5′s ‘I Remember’ and that was the moment when I totally fell in love with EDM,” the 18-year-old tells me. “I was very curious about how the DJ’ing stuff looks from the inside, so I saved some money and bought the cheapest DJ controller. It was so much fun.” But his love of production started even before that, Tom, real name Dorian Tomasiak, explains. “Before DJ’ing, I was a lead guitar player in a rock band, maybe that’s why I never believed that only one man could do the whole song just on his computer. So I’ve decided to try it on my own and see if it’s true.”
And he definitely seems to be a natural! With over 3000 followers on Soundcloud, the Polish-born DJ is fast becoming a worldwide name. His ‘Till Sunshine’ bootleg topped three million views on YouTube and his latest single “Elva” is no doubt going to reach the same dizzy heights. “I’ve received a really great feedback from DJ’s, producers and music blogs,” he says. “All I can say is that they have motivated me to do a massive follow-up soon. I can’t say much at this stage, but there’s some serious stuff coming up in the next few months”.
The life of a House music producer is still a new experience to Tom, formerly known as Pixel Cheese, who has been influenced by Swedish mega-superstar Avicii. The secondary school student, who’ll be taking his final year exams in a few weeks, finds it difficult to believe what’s actually happening to him.
“At the beginning I couldn’t believe” the humble teenager says. “Hearing that someone like Nervo or Gareth Emery really liked my tunes was incredible. I thought that my reaction to this was only because it was a new experience – but to be honest, this feeling never gets old. For a youngster like me, it’s a big opportunity to get my name out, but also a solid kick in the ass to work even harder and do my best on it!”
And no one can argue he’s not living up to that motto. Tom’s official remix of Gareth Emery’s Tokyo, released on Garuda, hit the Beatport Top 100 after just four days of its release. His whopping remix of Steve Aoki’s Ladi Dadi soon followed suit and his Room For Happiness remix, released on Ultra Music Records, was another top track. So what is it that makes a lad from the town of Szczecin gain such a reputation in such a short space of time.”I’m musically flexible,” he explains, “so my DJ sets are not limited to only one music genre. Also, I am not the type of person who is standing standing like a block of wood during the whole set. I’m jumping, dancing – that’s the Cheese!” He says, laughing to himself.
As the season starts to kick off, with the end of Miami’s famous Winter Music Conference, there has been a constant feeling this is the year house music will claim back the crown off Dubstep. But the young DJ doesn’t think it will be quite as simple as that. “I think, that this year we are going to hear a blend between big room house music and elements of Dubstep,” he tells me. “But the difference is that it’s actually going to work this time.” With a tour coming up, including warming up for Dimitri Vegas and Like Mike in Malta, how does a regular teenager go from 15-year-old rock guitarist to 18-year-old house music sensation. Before he leaves, Tom lets us in on his number one secret. “Don’t give up, and don’t get a girlfriend!”
One more track:
Favourite end of the night anthem? A chilling one: my bet is “I Need To Feel Loved (Adam K & Soha Mix)”
Must have song in your set? Tough question! I won’t type any specific track, but definitely I am always playing at least one unreleased yet song.
Song that got you into house music? “I Remember”, by Deadmau5 – that tune just snapped my soul into EDM overall.
Favourite song of all time? I am still going back to Mason – “You’re Not Alone” almost everyday, if I have to describe that track in one word, it will!
