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
CAMPAIGNS
Drug Driving
This is a gentle message to try and deter people from driving a vehicle under the influence of drugs either on their own or with others. (It's a fact that 1 in 10 young male drivers admit to it.)
For years Drug Driving has seemingly snuck under the public radar. But the statistics are really alarming; nearly 1 in 5 road accident fatalities are connected to drug driving through post-mortem Blood Tests.
Under the influence of Drugs, your judgement and perception of distance and reaction time is severely impaired. You're just not in control. Some drugs make you over relaxed, sleepy and slow and you drive as if wearing sunglasses at night, others boost your confidence and make you believe you're Schumacher or the Stig! All dangerous and stupid if you think about it.
It's time to acknowledge Drug Driving is just as big and widespread a problem as it's evil twin Drink Driving and to get people thinking about the issue in the same way.
It's considered socially unacceptable to Drink Drive now, so why shouldn't Drug Driving be treated in the same way?
Statistically speaking, the Drink Driving campaign has been a great success.
If people could just think about the inherent dangers of Drug Driving, and act more responsibly we could significantly reduce the number of Drug Driving related casualties and fatalities.
The message is simply this; don't drive, just get a 'sober' friend to drive instead, or take public transport. You're eyes can and will give you away, and if you're caught and convicted the consequences are just as severe as Drink Driving, such as a 12 month disqualification and up to £5000 fine. It could severely impact on your family, social and working life. And heaven forbid, in the worst case, you could injure or take the life of another human being. Just think about it. It's not worth the risk.
Do the right thing, please don't Drug Drive.
For more information on how drugs impair your driving ability, how your eyes can give you away and the penalties if your caught please click on the link :
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!
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.
Thank you very much for da Link Up & Sharing the Music Nice to meet you through cyberlink! Keep up da Great Work! Wishes you All da Best in 2009! Enjoy your Week
oy! I feel like a dodgy stalker..but I can't wait to see you @ sullivan room. Saw you @ Zoo fest and knew nothing of you then, and now I am a major fan.
Hi Tom! Fiona here! Thank you for taking time to talk to me - will send you the link to Clubbersguide interview when its up! Obviously you are the DJs DJ as Desyn Masiello, Sleepy and Boo, Niki McNally and the organizers of the Zoo were all at your peaktime set yesterday! Awesomeness! Cheers!!
Hi, thank you so much for adding me! Always loved your ambient and electronics, they're god-like creations :) It's "Tick-Tock" and you can't stop... Greetings & be good, Project Clockwork
hi Tom. Thanks for the add. and say hi to your brother from me. he was so kind to give me and a friend a lift from bristol to the big chill when we were there a couple of years ago. great start of a fantastic festival.
