Skipping Beats Like A Heart Attack With Sem Thomasson

Exclusive Interview With Sem Thomasson

Sem Thomasson is a young Belgian dj/producer. Inspired by his father’s musical vibes, he started experimenting with digital samplers and synths as early as his tenth birthday. The pathway to electronic dance music was already steadily set. At the age of eighteen, Sem Thomasson released his first record, the result of years of strenuous hard work. The deejay bookings followed only a short while after and the start of his rich musical career couldn’t have been better planned. With gigs on Tomorrowland (BE) and TomorrowWorld (USA) and headlining club nights all over the world (Fabric Club, Club Cubic, Nikki Beach Miami, Versuz just to name a few...) this young deejay is now fully prepared to let the world meet his peculiar sound and natural talent for making greatly accessible dance tracks.

He did productions on labels such as Protocol Recordings, Flamingo Recordings, Atlantic Records, Stealth Records, Spinnin Records, Diffused, Ultra Records, Universal Music, Diffused Music and official remixes for Flo Rida, Jennifer Lopez, Nelly Furtado, Cody Simpson, Steve Aoki, TV Rock and John Dahlback just to name a few…

Not only are his productions of a high standard, they also seem to have an immense impact on the crowd. He gained support from all the EDM big names. His music penetrates right through your body to the very core of your dancing nerve centre and that is something not easily achieved. Sem Thomasson is a remarkable talent, someone who knows exactly which way his ship is sailing, without losing the dynamics to steer left or right at a certain point. You will be hearing more from him, no doubt!

Hello Sem! Thank you so much for taking time out to do this interview with us A very warm welcome to think IN electronic

1.     We ask all our guest this, standard TIE questions what’s the first thing that comes to mind when you hear South Africa?

Penguins and braai

2.     Can you tell us a little more about who Sem Thomasson is when he is not making music or DJin’

I like travelling and doing chill things. However I’m actually a very chaotic person. My creative mind is set on music almost 24/7.

3.      Inspired by your father’s musical vibes, you started experimenting with digital samplers and synths at the age of 10 What inspired you about music, that attracted you to it ?

When I heard my father play the piano in his band, I found it very inspiring he created sound where other people danced to. Music really is a mix of emotion and rhytm which makes it magical somehow.

4.     You latest release is Heart Attack feat Elisabeth Stone, take us through the track, what inspired the track and did you have any difficult moments while producing it?

The original track idea was born almost 4 years ago. Elisabeth Stone and I always felt this track had something special. It took me quite some time to find the right vibe to the music though. The project was in the fridge for a long time but I felt the time was right to refresh it and get it out.

5.     When producing where do you draw your inspiration from? Do you ever listen back to your tracks and think oh god that’s awful?

Actually that happens to me all the time. If you look back and say ‘that was awful’ or ‘why did I do that, it sounds bad’ it means you are making progression. So in a way it’s a good thing. You have to develop your sound and techniques constantly in order to grow as an artist.

6.     Who are some producer/musicians you look up to and why?

I’ve always been a big fan of Calvin Harris. That guy knows how to produce a dance track that both works in the clubs and on the radio. Amazing. I’ve always loved bands such as Saint German, Coldplay etc… It’s a different genre but it inspires me.

7.     You have had the honor of remixing Nelly Furtado, Flo Rida & JLO that’s a pretty huge achievement and many producers can only dream, do you think these remixes helped get you noticed in the music world?

By remixing big star artists like FloRida, your name gets around. It certainly helped me with building my name. The remixes are just a promotion tool for you as an artist.

8.     If you had to use a perfume/scent to describe your sound what perfume/scent would you use and why?

That’s a hard question. I always try to put as much influences in my music as possible. So I don’t really stick to a sound. The music I make is influenced by the mood of the moment. I guess you don’t wear the same perfume either in winter time or in summer?

9.     We believe every artist has a message they are trying to portray to the world through their work. What message are you trying to send out through your music?

It might sound cliché but the message I try to put in my music is: just be yourself and live life to the fullest. If I write lyrics with Elisabeth Stone we often write about certain moments in life. For example Heart Attack goes about the euphoric moment you experience when you fall in love or when you hear your favorite song on a music festival.

10.  Do you remember the first DJ you ever met, who was it and what were your first words to them? 

I don’t really remember but I think the first international DJ I met was Axwell. I gave him a cd with music of mine and probably my first words were: You are so amazing, listen to my music. Thinking back it’s funny how wrong I approached him.

11.  As a DJ do you think its best to play for the crowd or to be yourself and play for you/what you want to  play? What advice would you give to up and coming DJs.

Always play for the crowd but put you own vibe and sound to it. It’s very important to work towards your own sound. But if you dj, in the end the crowd have to have a good time. If you’re stuck in your own world and sound and it doesn’t work on the floor nobody get’s happy. I would advise, just do your thing but always remember who you are doing it for.

12.  If you weren’t a  DJ/Producer what would you be?

Probably a producer/dj. Haha. No idea actually,  I’m pretty sure I would be in the music industry anyhow.

13.  What’s one of the funniest things that has happened to you at an event?

One of the funniest things is probably my gig two years ago on Tomorrowland. I was playing on a smaller stage. The party was really on and everybody was jumping to the music. All of a sudden the small stage collapsed with the dj booth on it. There was just too many people partying. It’s pretty scary at first but really funny when you look back.

14.  Heart attack is released on Mutants records.  You have also released tracks on Flamingo Records and Protocol. What’s next for Sem.?  Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

I just want to continue making a lot of music and playing a lot of gigs all over the world. The most important thing is music. I’m not really a dreamer anymore. I learned that if you work hard, make good music and have a little luck the sky really can be the limit.

15.  Lastly do you have any messages for your fans?

Thank you for your ongoing support. Hope to see you soon on one of my shows!

Buy Sem's new track Heart Attack here: 
http://www.beatport.com/track/heart-attack-original-mix/5545143

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Thank you so much for doing this interview with us. We hope to see you playing somewhere around the globe soon.