Two decades into his winding voyage through music, culture and creativity, Tom Trago has become part of the densely woven fabric of the Dutch electronic scene - a producer, DJ, label owner, collaborator, remixer, radio host and DJ's DJ who is renowned not only for his impressive productivity, but also the genuine depth and variety of his work. While it was Trago's distinctive DJ sets that once grabbed headlines - he famously held residencies at renowned Amsterdam institutions Trouw and De School, and for a decade spent much of his time jetting between some of the most renowned clubs in Europe - in recent years Tom has cut down on appearances. Today, he chooses to be far more selective about where (and when) he DJs or performs live, often working with a handful of cherished venues and festivals while ensuring that his travels are sustainable and inspiring. Instead of the grind of touring and hedonistic night-time activity, Trago has chosen to focus on music-making, alongside semi-regular forays into radio broadcasting (NTS, Radio Radio, BBC Radio and EchoBox). He now spends most of his days producing and remixing at his new SR-3 studio in Alkmaar and his seaside home-come-studio in Bergen aan Zee. As part of these lifestyle and career changes, Trago took time to look deeper, not only inside himself, but also for musical inspiration. Tom has always loved, and devoted time to, digging into a wide variety of production styles, using this inspiration to develop a trademark personal production style, but in recent years he has taken it even further. Fuelled by a desire to challenge himself, Tom consistently tries new things in the studio while channeling all he's learned during a career that has moved forwards at breakneck speed. Since making his debut in 2006, Trago has released six critically acclaimed albums (two of which, the eclectic, beat-focused, career-spanning, Patta-released archive dive, "18", and the dancefloor excursion, "Trembala", appeared in 2022); extensively worked with Dutch electronic music institutions Rush Hour and Dekmantel; collaborated with countless friends and contemporaries (Charlie Soul Clap, Awanto 3, Maxi Mill, Steffi, San Proper, Seth Troxler, and BokBok included); remixed artists including New Order, Carl Craig, Cassius, Tiga and Erol Alkan, and championed a swathe of fellow Dutch producers via the Voyage Direct label he founded in 2009. Returning to legendary Dutch label Magnetron Music, home to Fatima Yamaha, DMX Krew, Legowelt, Staygold and many other, he releases his Magnus Opus; "Ignorance".
The album features incredible levels of synthesis and sound design. Comparisons could be made with Dopplereffekt or Drexciya with the textures, rhythms and patches present throughout this ambitious and highly sculptured LP. One of those LPs that's cerebral enough for solo listening, but will also unite the tribes across forward thinking dancefloors. Mega!
The album features incredible levels of synthesis and sound design. Comparisons could be made with Dopplereffekt or Drexciya with the textures, rhythms and patches present throughout this ambitious and highly sculptured LP. One of those LPs that's cerebral enough for solo listening, but will also unite the tribes across forward thinking dancefloors. Mega!
TRACK LISTING
01 Clairvoyance
02 Champagne
03 Fast Talking Ft. The Jungle Giants
04 Powerstation
05 Sadari
06 Ignorance
07 The Garden
08 Walk The Dog
09 Undertaker (ft. Dexter)
10 The Valley