To the untrained eye Tom Middleton is just another DJ. Beard, box of records, bounces behind the decks. You seen one, you’ve seen them all, right? Wrong. You see Tom isn’t just a DJ. He’s a scientist; a meticulous technician with a thirst for all musical forms from breakbeat to baroque.
Researching each and every project with eagle eyed glee, Tom approaches every venture, from productions to DJ mixes, with the attention to detail that’s usually reserved for the likes of architects, surgeons, engineers and (ahem) two bit biography writers. His mix CDs such as ‘The Sound Of The Cosmos’, ‘3D’ and ‘The Trip 2’ show true precision and forethought with Tom spending hours of preparation studying the key of each track and how they relate to each other. His ‘Crazy Covers’ compilations reveal an encyclopaedic knowledge of contemporary popular music from the 1950s to this very day. Not to mention a sense of humour.
Many believe he was born with these razor sharp skills. Classically trained in piano and cello Tom understood music’s essential rudiments and theory long before he could grow those iconic whiskers on his chin. It’s this adept understanding of the true technicalities of music – how it works, how arrangements compliment each other and how you can convey the strongest message – that’s helped him carve a unique career that’s spanned from his deep space delights with Mark Pritchard as Global Communication and Jedi Knights to last year’s breathtaking debut album ‘Life Tracks’, a homage to the ambient and soundtrack music. To this day he refuses to sample other people’s music, preferring instead to create his own sounds using virtual orchestra and band software he’s programmed himself.
Achievements are in abundance where Tom is concerned… The blissed out AMBA project pitched him alongside an orchestra and choir to maximum mesmerising effect. His 50 improvised performances with The Bays pushed dance music to its most unpredictable, wildest, limits. He helped Aphex Twin secure his first record deal and founded labels such as Evolution, Universal Language, Heard and E3. He’s flirted with chart success with the 2002 club smash ‘Take Me With You’, hosted his own show on Kiss FM, been resident at Ibiza’s most super of superclubs Manumission and tutored the winning DJ Ryan Shaw in ITV’s cult DJ challenge The Joy Of Decks.
As a DJ he’s performed in almost every corner of the globe to crowds as large as 150,000. With his trademark widescreen musical repertoire, he’s spent years championing styles long before they were the norm, helping Ulrich Schnauss develop his career and hosting Hot Chip and Mylo’s festival debut appearances. From ambient to drum & bass, techno to rock n’ roll, his attention to detail allows him to find connections between the most disparate forms of music, uniting every genre with technical skill, utilising all manner of forward thinking technologies. Such versatility has also scored him a wide range of remixes, too, with artists as far flung as Prince and All Saints.
More recently Tom’s seen major airplay action with ‘Remember The Love’ – his homage to the roots of house music written over the course of 24 hours at dance music’s inaugural International Music Summit – Forge on Digweed’s seminal Bedrock imprint, Orange Light’s ‘A Few Good Days’ and The Golden Girls’ stone-cold classic ‘Kinetic’ on the recently rekindled R&S.
He’s toured with the Smirnoff Experience performing in Moscow, Paris and Shanghai alongside high profile acts such as Kelis, Faithless, Duran Duran and Mark Ronson and recently remixed classics ‘Oh Marie’ and ‘Quando Quando Quando’ for a worldwide TV campaign for Fiat.
No, Tom is no ordinary DJ. He’s a true scientist, a self-proclaimed research freak who spends his life consuming information in the pursuit of authenticity, clarity and truth. Not just on music, but all his passions. From his love for innovative, simplistic design – he’s currently designing bespoke luxury villas in Italy and a domestic product to help mothers with newborn children – to his flare for fine food and wine. He even considered becoming a chef at point. Fortunately he didn’t, or dance music would be lacking one of its most unique, ardent, inventive ambassadors.
Dave Jenkins.
Classically trained Pianist + 'Cellist from Cornwall, UK. Musical roots. Mum : Pianist, Grandfather: Jazz guitarist, Uncle: Folk Singer/Guitarist. 80's Teen diet of Breakdancing at School Discos, Graf, Surfing, Skating, BMXing. Tomita, Vangelis, Police and Prince fan, discovered Brian Eno via U2, morphed into a part Goth-New Romantic, Rare Groove-Jazz Dance-Soul Boy, Dub Rap-Synth Pop-Shoe Gazer.
Met Richard D James circa 1989. He taught me how to sample, record, program, edit, arrange and mix. DJ'd with Richard and Rephlex crew at The Bowgie and various Cornish events.
Moved to Exeter in 1991 and met Mark, Jess and Lucy from the legendary Mighty Force Records.
First release "En Trance To Exit" as
Schizophrenia co-produced and engineered by Richard. Followed by "My Splendid Idea", also engineered by Richard.
Signed Matt Herbert as Wishmountain and released works by Danny Breaks, Max 404, Gerd, The Horn, Jak and Stepper, Circulation (DJ Iz), Hester, LA Synthesis and Pulusha (Mark P and Kirsty Hawkshaw) on Universal Language/Heard
Signed to Island Blue as Cosmos 1999, then transfered to Polydor 2002, most successful release to date; "Take Me With You".
DJ's at Clubs and Festivals around the world, known for eclectic sets as well as being versatile enough to program more purist music to fit a specific venue or event.
Many remixes for high profile and underground artists alike.
Regular live and DJ performances for
The Big Chill since 1994.
Most recent work as
AMBA featuring site specific instrumental electro classical works with Choirs and Orchestral Ensembles, notably The Union Chapel, London and The Big Chill at Eastnor Castle.
Over 50 improvised performances as part of the sonic science dept with The Bays.
Guested on Adam Freeland's Kiss 100 Breakbeat show and went on to host own weekly Eclectic Radio show on Kiss 100 over a few years. Was the mentor for winning musical apprentice Ryan Shaw on ITV's The Joy Of Decks.
Selected Tom Middleton Recordings and Remixes available at Beatport.
Upcoming Events
Tom Middleton Videos
Tom Middleton – Prana (Big Chill Recordings) Video by Ben Mason
Tom Middleton - Shinkansen (Big Chill Recordings) Video by Ben Mason
IMS Anthem Seminar 2008
The Anthony Nolan Trust
Please consider this, if you are in good health, and particularly if you are a male under 40, you could potentially save a life by joining the Anthony Nolan Trust Bone Marrow Register. Connecting a patient whose immune system needs a boost, with another person, who is prepared to share a little of theirs. Matching patients with donors.
Theoretically anyone could be the match for one of the 7,000 Leukaemia patients currently waiting for a transplant. In fact, you might be the only person in the world with compatible tissue-type for a patient with a life-threatening illness.
The new process is as painless as giving blood and lasts around 4 hours. Just think, those few hours could add years to a patients life.
It's like having the winning lottery ticket, but you can't claim it for yourself. It's the ultimate gift.
Checkout the link and find out more about being a lifesaver.
If you're worried about prolonged exposure to high sound levels at gigs and clubs and want to protect your hearing check out Advanced Communication Systems, a friendly company whose products I highly recommend for DJing and in ear monitoring (also make great custom fit earbuds for iPods!). I use custom fitted Elacin ER15's when I DJ, very comfortable and the effect is like turning the volume down on 'everything' to a sensible level. Goodbye tinnitus and earache!
The organisers of the IMS are encouraging clubbers to travel to the Summit in Ibiza using transport other than plane or car to raise funds for the Hepatitis C trust.
Hepatitis in all it forms is a disease that affects one in 12 people. Up to 250,000 to 500,000 people in the UK have Hepatitis C, although 80% of whom don't know they have it. "The people that need targeting are 20-50 year olds who go out and enjoy music," says Tom Middleton, who's backing the campaign.
The funds you raise will cover your delegate pass and travel expenses – and for every 'missionary' the IMS will donate €50 to the Hep C Trust.
Thanks for your adding. And my deep respect for your work. Of course I'm a follower of your GLOBAL COMMUNICATION and JEDI KNIGHT projects and of your other activities. And it's remarkable for me how different your music was but always innovative and interesting. All the best for your future! Sincerely Abydos
Your new compilation for Renaissance "One More Tune" it's AMAZING!!! Your own remodels/edits you did are off the hook... Hope to see you play here one day, cheers from Argentina!
tom! i just got my hands on the 4 hour set from sullivan room in new york from last month..thanks for releasing this & letting us relive the magic from that night
After the successful Mozambique EP and various remixes on Pack Up And Dance in 2008, Soul Minority returns for some tribute and lavish music simplicity. www.beatport.com/en-US/html/content/release/detail/169902/IRememberHouseEP
Online Now!
