[i:Vibes] Tom Harding interview

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Tom Harding interview

18:48 - October 9, 2003

by Jan

Tom Harding has quickly become one of hard dance's biggest profiles. From championing his hard and funky yet extremely versatile sound worldwide (clubs like Frantic (London), Sundissential (Birmingham & Leeds),HQ (Amsterdam), Matrixx (Nijmegen), Home (Sydney),Space (Ibiza),Code (Tokyo) and Pacha (Barcelona) have all experienced Tom's fierce performance) over collaborations with the likes of BK, Jon The Dentist and Chris Hampshire to closing Dance Valley in front of 30,000 people: Tom has done it all. We figured it was time to find out a thing or two about the man himself. Read on to find out what he had to say:

Hello Tom, nice of you to clear space in your schedule for us. How are things for you at the moment?

Pretty good actually. I have just returned from DJing in Australia, where I played sold out gigs at Home in Sydney and Launch in Melbourne, and I’m off to the Caribbean on Thursday to play on the islands of Aruba and Curacao this weekend which should be amazing.

Tell us a little about yourself.

I’m 29 years old and have been DJing in clubs round the UK, in Holland and abroad for well over ten years now. Despite the fact that most people assume that I’m Dutch I’m actually from Bristol, England which is where I still live.

You're from the UK, yet The Netherlands is where you made a name for yourself and probably also where your biggest fan base is. Any particular reasons for this?

When I was 19 some mates of mine were in a Coffeeshop in Amsterdam getting stoned. Anyway, they happened to have a mix tape of mine with them and asked the owners if they could put it on. By complete chance the owners were thinking of starting a club night, liked the tape and got me over to DJ. Nine years later these promoters have now grown in to UDC who organise Dance Valley, HQ, Impulz and 4 Elements in Holland and I have in turn grown with them. When I met them they were just starting out and I have played for them at every club night and festival that they have ever done since (apart from when I was sitting my finals at Uni!) It’s been something of a success story for everyone involved - I know it's a cliché but it was a classic example of 'right place, right time' really…

You also have a very tight bond to Dance Valley, one of the world's biggest dance events. Tell us about Dance Valley and how your relationship with it developed.

Dance Valley was a spin off event that was started by UDC who promote HQ in Amsterdam but over the last nine years it has evolved and grown into the largest dance music festival in the world. Three years ago they had 95,000 people attend but after that the Dutch authorities got scared and reduced the capacity to 45,000 (which is still nearly double most UK festivals). I normally headline the Hard Dance stage which means that I get to play to about 20,000 people but in 1999 I played the last set on the main stage which meant playing to more like 30,000 which is pretty special. The fact that I was resident at HQ right from the start meant that I got to be involved in Dance Valley from the word go so again I guess I was pretty lucky.

I also read that you once played together with Tony de Vit (RIP). How did it go?

Really well – amazing in fact. Tony was and always will be a legend on the hard dance scene so to get to play alongside him was both an honour and a privilege.

What would your greatest moment as a DJ be so far?

Playing the final set on the main stage at Dance Valley in 1999 which meant that I got to play to a crowd of in excess of 35,000 people. It is difficult to put into words what goes through your head when playing to a crowd this size – it’s pretty mind boggling. Imagine the best sex or drugs you have ever had and it doesn't even come close to the feeling of hearing the roar of that many people when you drop your favourite track.

How would you describe your musical style?

Uplifting, rhythmic, energetic, techy hard trance. Deeper and more intelligent than your average hard dance with some funky techno thrown in for good measure. I am also just about to start a new tech house and funky techno project as an interesting sideline.

How did everything start for you?

I had always collected records as a kid and by 16 had quite a decent collection. That summer my mate randomly came back with a set of turntables and I had one go and was absolutely hooked. I then practiced round at his house all summer and when I was 18 I got some Technics for my birthday (best present I ever got). And then I just started doing mates’ parties and it all snowballed from there.

Who has influenced you through the years of your career?

DJ-wise Andy Weatherall, Tony De Vit and Sasha.

One big record for you at the moment?

It’s difficult to choose an outright winner but the two records that have really been big for me this summer have been DK – Murder was the Bass on DK records and Mauro Picotto – New Time, New Place on Primate records.

What's the nastiest stuff you've ever seen happen in a club?

Someone dying in front of my eyes due to a drug overdose - horrific.

Do you have any hobbies outside of DJing/producing?

Yes - avoiding airports like the plague!

No seriously,when I’m not DJing, or in the studio, or buying records or traveling to and from gigs (which pretty much takes up my entire life) I like to unwind by spending time in the pub with my mates (who I never get to see because I’m always away at the weekends), and pottering around my new house doing some DIY.

Finally, what would you like to say to all your fans and followers out there?

A big thank you for all the support. Keep coming to my gigs and I’ll keep the music coming!

Thanks to Edward @ THinc Management for making this interview possible.