tyDi

Last Updated on Wednesday, 19 August 2009 09:35 Written by Ez Webb Wednesday, 01 April 2009 09:57

BIG TIMING

After being crowned Australia's #1 DJ and #2 producer last year (Inthemix Top 50), you could have forgiven tyDi for sitting back and living it up. It was just the start of the tyDi tidal wave however, which looks likely to continue after his debut album 'Look Closer' is released this month.

Having supported dance legends Tiesto, Armin van Buuren and Paul van Dyk, tyDi's career has progressed even further in 2009, headlining massive parties such as Sensation NYE Melbourne and Trance Energy Holland. Between these gigs, as well as creating soundtracks for government advertising and video games, the Brisbane boy has found time to select and rework 15 songs that best represents his first three years of songwriting.
While still true to his successful uplifting trance formula, tyDi has not restricted himself to genre guidelines, creating an album that reflects his own diverse musical tastes. Contributing artists include My Ninja Lover's Manta Ray and Helena Redmond from The String Selection (Missy Higgins, Hilltop Hoods), along with others tyDi credits with delivering extra weight to his debut.
“They would play things I didn't expect or didn't think would sound any good, but they sound amazing! The product is an album that is not just one person's style and ideas. It's still me, but me exploring and incorporating other musicians, which gives the album greater depth.”
The 21 year-old artist also went to experimental lengths in providing organic sounds for his debut, snapping rulers and rolling marbles over wood. “Creating new, original effects is different to what I usually do with computer generation, so I'm really happy with how they turned out.”
The exhilaration from playing to huge audiences every weekend is the driving force behind tyDi's prolific body of work. “When I'm in the studio writing a new track I'll be thinking what it's going to sound like at a festival or on a dance floor. Then, once I'm playing the track at an event, there's nothing more exciting than watching a massive crowd go crazy to it. Once the weekend is over, the next thing I want do is go back and write more music. The playing focuses me to write even more.
“I believe DJs these days have to also be pioneering musicians. Of course, it's exciting to pick other people's tracks when programming a set which says 'this is what I enjoy' - but it's one step further to present something I completely made.”
Included on 'Look Closer' is the European hit 'Is It Cold?' which tyDi had no idea was so popular until he dropped it at Trance Energy Holland. “I watched 20,000 people put their hands in the air and go crazy for it. Initially I couldn't even see the crowd because I was taken back to when I was still in high school writing the track at my Dad's place looking out at the ocean. My producing skills were not much then, but I was inspired, so I came up with this melody that I liked and thought was really emotional. As my skills improved I was able to come back to it and really make it the best it could be.
“I've been lucky to be surrounded by this world of talented people, even just in Brisbane - we have so many talented DJs and producers. When your life evolves around creative people doing great things, it really does rub off on you. I'm very lucky I get to talk to the people who are at the top and that inspires me to go further.”
tyDi's global reach will continue to grow with the recent launch of his youtube channel, and, along with his diverse fan base that ranges from miners in Broome to Italian radio audiences - Brisbane may soon lay claim to its first superstar DJ.


‘Look Closer’ is out April 25 through Generation Next/Stomp.
tyDi plays at the Trance Energy Festival at The Met on April 11. For more details and line-up info go to www.trance-energy.com.au