Two legendary forces in the electronic music scene join forces. DJs From Mars and Tomcraft have created an unmatched experience that will leave fans begging for more. Known for their unique style, DJs From Mars have risen to fame by combining infectious beats with their signature intergalactic sound.
The dynamic duo has garnered a massive following across the globe, captivating audiences with their high-energy performances and mind-boggling mashups. With their unparalleled ability to blend different genres seamlessly, DJs From Mars have redefined what it means to be an electronic music act.
Adding to the allure of this collaboration is the revered artist Tomcraft. A true pioneer within the industry, Tomcraft has been at the forefront of the dance music scene for decades, consistently pushing boundaries and setting new standards. With his immense understanding of the art of production, his tracks have become anthems that have cemented his place in electronic music history.
B2B INTERVIEW WITH DJS FROM MARS AND TOMCRAFT
CR: Hello, Max & Luca From DJs From Mars and Thomas aka Tomcraft, glad to have you on Canadianravers. How are you and how has the night been so far?
DJFM: Hello and thanks for having us on board! We’re doing really good thanks 😊 ready for a tour in USA next week!
TC: Hey guys, I'm delighted to be interviewing you. I'm well rested and in a very good mood :-)
CR: How did you both get started in the music industry, and what inspired you to become DJs?
DJFM: We always loved music. We weren’t suppose to be djs, but we always wanted to produce music. Or even play it (one of us used to play guitar in a rock band) so music was really the first love of our life. We followed some random paths and ended up creating the “Djs From Mars” project, it was really a game at the beginning, but now it’s still working great after so many years, so probably the path we chose was the right one 😊
TC: I’m a 90s raver. we were a big community and went raving every week. That's how I got into the scene and soon started DJing. Every week I brought my mixtapes to the clubs until the owners were almost annoyed and so i will never forget my residency in one of the best clubs in Munich;-)
After I started producing there was a competition in a techno magazine. The winner with the best song won a record deal. So I spent day and night in the studio working like crazy. I actually won, that was the starting signal in 1995:-)
CR: DJs From Mars, you are known for your unique mashup style. What prompted you to start creating mashups, and how do you approach finding the right tracks to mix together?
DJFM: We were resident Djs, and we needed some different edits of the most popular songs to play the whole night for 5-6 hours. Since we were able to produce music, we could create our own edits, to make them more dancefloor oriented. Randomly we started adding other samples, and the crowd reactions were always great. So we started uploading these edits on YouTube and BOOM immediately we started receiving remix and booking requests. That happened really quick, and really not on purpose 😊
CR: Tomcraft, your track "Loneliness" became a massive hit. How do you feel about the song's enduring popularity, and how has it influenced your music career? Also how did you connect with DJs From Mars and Hardwell to create a new spin on it?
TC: When Loneliness was recorded, there was great euphoria in the studio. With the release in 2002 it went straight into all the European charts and then #1 in England. i was surprised how quickly it all happened. i'm more than happy that the euphoria with Loneliness is still going on. This has influenced my dj career in particular. I was allowed to play all over the world and meet lots of people.These days I had a big flightcase with vinyl - oh god, that was so heavy:-)
I met the DJs from Mars at a festival in Estonia and we've been in contact ever since. They asked me if they could play a Loneliness mash-up. I don't even remember what they mixed, but it was an idea of the currently released version. When the Mars boys then played with Hardwell at Tomorrowland, the third act in the group was bagged - and then it took its course.
CR: DJs From Mars, your Alien Selection podcast is highly regarded. Can you tell us a little about how this concept came to be, and how you curate the tracks for each episode?
DJFM: We try to play a lot of mash-ups and bootlegs of course. A lot of young Djs are really good in this, so we try to support them as much as we can, because we know how much a dj support means especially at the beginning of a career. So we listen to every promo we receive by email, and select the best ones to play them in the radio show. Also we like to play different styles of dance music, from the new Melodic Techno, to Tech House, to Dubstep or Drum’n’Bass, we try to play different genres to make the show always exciting and never boring. That’s what we do in our live sets too, so that really defines our style.
CR: Tomcraft, you've been in the industry for over two decades. How do you stay motivated and keep your sound fresh amidst changing trends in electronic music?
TC: I've been DJing since 1993 and, to be honest, I've never had to be motivated. I love what I do and have a lot of fun doing it. As far as sound is concerned, I listen to a lot every day. But my own style always comes first in a production. Only then do I orientate myself to current sounds. If I don't like a trend, I don't go along with it:-)
CR: DJs From Mars, social media plays a huge role in your brand. How do you manage to engage with your fans so effectively, and what advice would you give to aspiring DJs looking to build their online presence?
DJFM: Yes, Social media are really important today. People wants to see what you do in your every day life, not only listening to your releases. So we try to make some contents to explain what we do every day. And basically is working 8-10 hours a day in the studio 😊 We still think that music is the main point for a dj, even if sometimes it seems not. But if you go to the gym, think about your outfit, go to parties every day, you’ll have no time to make music. It could work at the beginning, but music is the main thing to do if you’re a dj. So we suggest to focus on music, work, work, work, and be different from anyone else.
CR: Tomcraft, as someone who has been recognized for your skill in both DJing and producing, how do you find a balance between the two roles? Do you enjoy one more than the other?
TC: Clearly the djing. That's where I come from and that's where I feel alive. In the studio, I like to use the experience of a festival or a long club night. So this is the perfect way for me to find the balance.
CR: DJs From Mars, you have performed at major festivals around the world. Can you share some memorable moments or experiences from your live performances that stand out to you?
DJFM: We were really shocked when we made this remix for David Guetta & Black Eyed Peas “Don’t You Worry”, and 10 days after the release we were playing with David at Ushuaia in Ibiza. So in the backstage we asked him “Maybe can we come on stage during your set and play the remix together?”
And he was like “Hey Yes Why Not!!?” For us it was unbelievable to play with him during his set, the crowd energy was insane. It’s definitely a night we’ll remember forever!
CR: Tomcraft, in your opinion, how has the dance music scene evolved over the years? What are some positive changes you've witnessed, and are there any aspects that concern you?
TC: Dance music has become much more popular, it's hard to imagine life without it. Pop stars want to participate just as much as rappers - that's wonderful and also very creative! The demand is so great that unfortunately the prices for everything have exploded. A young raver can't afford the astronomical prices for big festivals, which is a shame.
CR: DJs From Mars, your tracks often feature a mix of genres and styles. How do you decide which elements to incorporate into your productions, and how challenging is it to maintain a cohesive sound?
DJFM: Since we love every kind of music (we listen every day to Hip Hop, Rock, Reggae, Electronic Music, even Classical Music), we are constantly surrounded by new ideas. So we have a Google Drive Sheet where we can note all these ideas also from our phone, when we are on the road. Monday morning, back in studio, we select the ideas and work on the best ones. Sometimes they work, sometimes they don’t. That’s why we need to spend so much time in studio: we don’t believe in inspiration. We believe in working on a lot of different ideas, and select the best ones. If you only work on 1 idea in 1 week, and it’s not good, you’ll have nothing at the end of the week....if you work on 10 ideas, there must be something good!
CR: Tomcraft, you have collaborated with various artists throughout your career. Is there someone you would love to work with in the future, and why?
TC: To be honest, my big dream was to work with the Bestie Boys. Unfortunately, this is not possible anymore. I´m a huge fan from the beginning and would love to work on one of their tracks!
CR: For both of you, what are your thoughts on the impact of technology on the DJing and producing process? Do you believe it has opened up opportunities or presented challenges?
DJFM: We love technology, we love how production softwares changed throughout the years, and how easy is now to edit audio. Technology is at our service: 20 years ago you needed a whole day to edit a vocal. Now a plugin can fix the mistakes in 30 seconds. That means: more time to focus on ideas, and less time to spend in boring technical processes. So yay, technology is helping us, it’s our choice how to use it at our own convenience!
TC: Both. As technology has become better and better and, above all, much simpler, we have to pay attention to quality. A DJ with vinyl absolutely has to be able to do this, otherwise it will be embarrassing.
CR: DJs From Mars, your live shows are known for their high-energy atmosphere. How do you create such an immersive experience for your audience, and what can they expect from your performances in the future?
DJFM: We try to play always something that people doesn’t expect. Like we’re in the middle of a set, after a Swedish House Mafia rework, all the EDM fans are excited and we go with a Linkin Park remix. And everyone is like WTF??? Then the track starts building up, and we go into the electro drop, and everyone goes nuts! That’s what we love to do in our set, always surprising the crowd, never being boring, always keeping the attention at maximum levels!
CR: Tomcraft, you are also an experienced label owner. How do you approach scouting and signing new talent, and what qualities do you look for in an artist?
TC: First comes the music. If the music is convincing, there is at best an artist behind it. That means someone with character. In the best case, a performer.That would be top ingredients:-)
CR: Finally, what advice would you give to up-and-coming DJs and producers who are looking to make their mark in the industry?
DJFM: Be original, be unique, Do it for the love of music, not for the money and the fame. Work hard, have fun, Enjoy the journey!
TC: Always be yourself. Decide for yourself. Believe in it and don't just do it because it's cool. Of course it's cool, but it only works if it's real.
LIGHTNING ROUND
1. Favourite Fast Food?
DJFM: We’re Italians!! We eat slow!
TC: Sushi
2. Go to meal when you’re sick?
DJFM: Rice with oil and parmesan cheese.
TC: Nope
3. Favourite drink to order?
DJFM: White wine / Champagne
TC: Vodka Soda / Bloody Mary
4. First Rave/Show as an attendee?
DJFM: Bjork back in the early 2000’s
TC: Mayday Germany
5. First celebrity crush?
DJFM: Bjork!
TC: Wilma Feuerstein
6. Favourite comic book character?
DJFM: The Joker
TC: Woodpecker
7. All-time favourite song?
DJFM: Redemption Song by Bob Marley
TC: Beastie Boys – Pas The Mic
8. Go to vacation spot?
DJFM: Maldives for relax, Thailand for fun
TC: Italy
9. What is your guilty pleasure?
DJFM: Listening to cheesy Italian pop songs
TC: Smoking
10. What is your hidden talent?
DJFM: Cooking pasta 😊
TC: Comedian for my wife
11. Which social platform do you use a lot?
DJFM: Instagram for sure!
TC: Instagram