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. Some of the fruits of these home sessions appear sporadically on the Jong Nederland label he founded.
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.
In 2023, Tom will return to Rush Hour after a decade away (via the stunningly emotive listening album, Deco) and reignite his Voyage Direct imprint with the label’s first new music in five years. Further in the future, we can expect new projects including a new ‘west coast holland’ inspired album of electro and IDM-informed experiments, the release of a full-length album for his band Mega Wega, and music from the Shoebox side project (a collaboration with Voyage Direct artist Maxi Mill).
The future holds no fears for Tom Trago. As he has done throughout his career, he will continue to challenge himself personally and musically, striving as ever to confound expectations.
The world
Voyage Direct
bookings@voyagedirect.net
Australia
Novel
d@novel.com.au
Italy
paolobel.iod@maffia.it
FRANCE alix.herrmannauclair@thetalentboutique.fr
Media
trebl
Eamon Chiffey
eamon@trebl.io
04.02.23 - The Observatory, Ho Chi Minh VN
29.01.23 - Electric, Prahran AU
29.01.23 - Waxyard, Geelong AU
28.01.23 - World Bar, Potts Point AU
28.01.23 - Greenwood Hotel, Sydney AU
27.01.23 - The Wolf, Werribee AU
20.01.23 - KCLUB, Bali
07.01.23 - Qeuso, Madrid ES
30.12.22 - Radio Radio, Amsterdam NL
17.12.22 - Thuishaven, Amsterdam NL
09.12.22 - Doka Studio, Amsterdam NL
05.11.22 - Thuishaven, Amsterdam NL
23.10.22 - LoveLee, Amsterdam NL
21.10.22 - RRFM, Amsterdam NL
08.10.22 - TT Invites at Parrallel, Amsterdam NL
17.09.22 - Apulian Culture, Parco Localzo IT
08.09.22 - Ex Macello, Milan IT
28.07.22 - Polifonic, Itria Valley IT
23.07.22 - Hat Twiske, Amsterdam NL
09.07.22 - Thuishaven, Amsterdam NL
02.07.22 - Club Homebass, Amsterdam NL
11.06.22 - Festifest After party at Shelter, Amsterdam NL
11.06.22 - Festifest, Amsterdam NL
28.05.22 - Polifonic Showcase, Paris FR
27.04.22 - Koningsstaat, The Hague NL
22.04.22 - Earth Night Club, Paris FR
16.04.22 - Thuishaven, Amsterdam NL
01.04.22 - Parallel, Amsterdam NL
06.03.22 - Thuishaven, Amsterdam NL
click to find more dates on Resident Advisor
Upcoming Dates
17.03 - Tom trago Invites @ Parallel, Amsterdam
24.03 - Tom Trago - Hi Tech Hussle, Amsterdam
29.03 - Tom Trago presents DECO @ Rushhour, Amsterdam
16.04 - Tom Trago @ Pip, Den Haag
22.04 - Tom Trago @ Doka, Amsterdam
26.04, Tom Trago @ Lovelee, Amsterdam
2.04 Tom Trago @ Cartel , Amsterdam
13.05 Tom Trago @ Club Hacienda , Barcalona
2.05 Tom Trago @ Soenda festival
4.06 Tom Trago @ Thuishaven 10hrs set
21.06 Tom Trago @ Festival, Mongolie
30.06 Tom Trago @ Bari, IT
2.07 Tom Trago @ LAGO LAGO Festival, Amsterdam
8.07 Tom Trago @ Beauville festival
26.08 Tom Trago @ Duikboot Festival