Translated material
Tom Pooks
Tom Pooks
Tom Pooks began his DJ career in the mid-90s, performing with the group Sales Gosses. Over the past ten years, working with Joy Kitikonti , Martin Eyerer and Josh Wink , he has toured the world and released his compositions on Scandium, Eukahouse and Serial Records.
The year 2007 was truly successful for Tom Pooks, when his track “Moon H” (Kill Brique France) was released and thousands of clubbers on five continents marched to this rhythm.
Just in 2007, the famous Kompakt label extended a hand of cooperation to him. Several tracks by Puks have already been released under this recognized mark of quality, but the composition “Pablo Assan's” (Kompakt Extra Germany) turned out to be especially successful, shaking up the world's largest dance floors and even being included in the annual compilation of such a star of the techno scene as Sven Vaeth.
When did you start getting interested in electronic music?
It was in '92-93, at a rave party in Spain. Then I heard electronic music for the first time, it was progressive in the Hashteng club, in the house where Salvador Dali lived.
Was it the most memorable party of your life?
No, no, this party was just the first. And the best party, perhaps, was in Argentina. This was my second or even first visit to that country and no one knew me yet. The whole party took place in a bullring. I had to play from 2 to 4 in the morning. So, when I got up to play at 2 o’clock, I was amazed: people responded to any of my movements, they shouted and danced. As a result, I played until almost 9 am and was happy, and people called me “Santa Pooks” (“Holy Pooks” – editor’s note).
But you didn’t immediately become a “saint.” You started your work not solo, but as part of a group. Tell me about it. What was it called?
Yes, the group was called Sales Gosses (French for “tomboys” - editor’s note), but more often we used the name Dirty Kids. This was a team of young people, essentially a promotional group, who were among the first to triple open airs in the forests of the south of France. They, in fact, put me on the DJ turntables for the first time.
By the way, they also came up with my pseudonym. The fact is that I was the youngest and the last to join this company, so they immediately nicknamed me Tom Pux, after the hero of a French fairy tale (like “little boy” in Russia - editor’s note).
How was the musician Tom Pooks born?
I became interested in writing music right after our breakup, in 1999. Francesco Farfa introduced me to Joy Chiticonti, who, in fact, showed me a computer, music programs, helped me learn Logic - it was with him that I did my first works. And after my records were already released on Eukahouse, Skandium and Serial Records, I realized that I had learned everything and could write music on my own.
Since we're talking about labels, tell me: is having your own record on Kompakt the pinnacle of a techno artist's career?
I can’t say that this is the peak of my career, but it is a very serious stage. It was only after my music was released on Kompakt that people actually started to recognize me and people started recommending my music to each other.
You mentioned Joey Kitikonti, and I also know that you know Carl Cox and Josh Wink. Tell me, who do you consider your main teacher?
I actually really like Josh Wink. Both as a producer and as a DJ, he writes excellent remixes, he has perfect technique, he is a real role model! But in terms of their attitude they are different from Cox. Cox is such a bundle of energy: when you are next to him, everything is fine. It was he who taught me how to feel the dance floor.
Before your music started feeding you, what else did you do for a living?
A: Yes, he did everything: he built houses, sold cars, he was even a dancer! Well, when my music began to bring me money, I became truly happy. My favorite business began to give me as much in 2 hours as I had previously earned in a month or two.
In general, life is so difficult now, you have to fight for everything, you have to achieve everything. It’s great if what you love feeds you, but in any case, you must be independent.
Which musicians or DJs have surprised or pleased you recently?
Mark Antonah, David K, Martin Eyerer, Namito, Sarah Goldfarb. Yes, probably these young musicians will be the most popular in the near future, in my opinion.
Imagine that the top-dj 100 vote is now underway. Who will you put in first place?
Just talking about DJs, I think it would be Josh Wink, Carl Cox, Richie Hawtin and John Digweed.