Tristan’s DJ career launched when he was just 14 when he decided to start promoting his own club nights called Twisted, he put the nights on in many underground clubs in Brighton and London and his reputation as a talented young DJ and promoter soon grew! At the age of 18 Tristan then managed to bag a residency at his favourite London club night Peach @ KOKO, and frequently played along side Eddie Halliwell, Simon Patterson, John Kelly & many more. Tristan also played regularly for Slinky @ The Opera House, Bournemouth!
Tristan’s long term association with BBC Radio 1 DJ Judge Jules has always kept him in good stead, during the week he works full time with Jules, working on cutting edge new music and assisting the team with San Antonio’s busiest club night; Judgement Sundays.
As a producer Tristan has had success from the word go, his collaboration with diffused music genius Anthony Brooks got signed to ‘Big In Ibiza Records’ 2 years ago and took them to the Miami WMC. Since then Tristan has had countless tunes played on BBC Radio 1 plus has had remixes signed to some of the world’s biggest record labels.
Tristan’s DJ’ing has taken him all around the world and he has played with the likes of Armin Van Buuren, Tiesto, Paul Van Dyk and many more. His style ranges from the Techy Maximal side of backroom house up to a more banging Trancey style.
Tristan is also in the midst of a progressing Radio career; he has hosted shows on Ministry Of Sound radio, Fuzion FM & Sunshine Live in Germany.
Tristan is one of the most versatile DJ’s and whether he’s playing a 20,000 capacity arena or a 200 capacity club, he rocks it every time with 100% energy and 100% crowd interaction!
Tristan is at the forefront of new music and is one of the UK’s hardest working DJ’s
Name: Tristan D
Location: San Diego, California
Tristan D: Since moving to the USA from the UK, I’ve commenced the biggest pure electronic music show on FM in the United States called “#ZDM” on Z90.3 FM. It’s gained a cult following and we’ve hosted some of the biggest arena/club shows in Southern California during 2013. On the production front, my collaboration with Denver based producer “Tangle” – Vertigo on Vandit Records achieved Beatport “top 10” status, which was truly awesome! I’ve also got stacks of new material forthcoming on the mighty Vandit!
Dimitri: If you look back on 2013, are there any events in your music career that you wished you had done differently in order to get a better outcome?
Tristan D: I learned all the hard lessons in my early years of entering the music industry, thankfully none too significant! I believe that it’s important to never regret anything, always look forward…
1) Best Track:
Tristan D: A fairly recent record by far is rocking my world right now; it’s the awesome Alex M.O.R.P.H presents Corti Organ - Magnum
2) Best Artist (DJ & producer):
Tristan D: Andrew Bayer, by far this guy continues to bring us “out of the box” material which guarantees to send shivers up your spine.
3) Best Remix:
Tristan D: Empire Of The Sun – Alive (Mat Zo Remix). Another “out of the box” producer, this remix really rocks every dance floor around the globe. I have a lot of respect for Mat, absolutely love this remix!
4) Best Remixer:
Tristan D: Naden, he’s out of Norway and is producing and remixing some awesome music right now. I expect BIG things from this guy in 2014. Expect spooky, emotional and eclectic progressive Trance.
5) Best New Talent (DJ or producer):
Tristan D: Fellow young DJ/Producer from Denver, CO in the USA, Tangle. He’s a genius in the studio and between us; we’re the perfect storm! The cold weather in Denver makes for great studio inspiration.
6) Best EDM Album:
Tristan D: Mat Zo – Damage Control on Anjunabeats. It’s one of the most diverse, inspirational and emotional albums to hit the metaphorical shelves in a long time.
7) Best EDM Compilation:
Tristan D: The Gallery “15 Years” Compilation mixed by Judge Jules, Simon Patterson and Gavyn Mytchel
8) Best artwork/cover of an album or compilation:
Tristan D: Shogun Audio presents Way Of The Warrior 2. The artwork is kinda spooky, I like it!
9) Best lyrics in an EDM track:
Tristan D: Myon & Shane 54 feat Natalie Peris – Outshine (Nigel Good Remix). A track that I've been supporting constantly since I received it, truly emotional, yet epic in all proportions!
10) Best Vocalist/Singer featured on an EDM track:
Tristan D: Once again Natalie Peris, I really think she’s got big potential for 2014.
11) Best EDM Label:
Tristan D: Vandit, I say this with unbiased opinion. Vandit is truly one of the most “signature” awesome labels of which continues to be “out of the box”, yet always sticking to its core values.
12) Best Music Video:
Tristan D: Ashley Wallbridge – Yin-Yang, an emotional, yet energetic performance!
13) Best amusing video from Youtube related to Dance Music:
Tristan D: PVD TV, every episode, especially the one from Brazil was truly epic!
14) Best Online Social media network:
Tristan D: Twitter - #VANDITFAMILY all the way!
15) Best music composition software:
Tristan D: Ableton Live 8 (still not upgraded to 9 for various reasons)
16) Best Event or Open Air Festival:
Tristan D: EDC Chicago – Truly out of this world!
17) Best personal DJ Gig:
Tristan D: HIFI Festival alongside Above & Beyond, open-air in the glorious sunshine! Emotional, exciting, breath taking…
18) Best DJ set of the year from another DJ:
Tristan D:Ashley Wallbridge at Avalon, Hollywood. Lucky enough to play alongside him at this show, he truly blew the roof off, massive respect for my British bro!
19) Best country in which you have performed:
Tristan D: Very difficult question to answer, Finland in summer 2013 was awesome. Argentina and of course the USA. But naturally, there’s no place like home, UK! Funnily enough I’m answering this interview at 38,000 feet over the Atlantic.
20) Best Radio show:
Tristan D: I’d have to big up my own show in the USA on 90.3FM, It’s called #ZDM and has become the biggest, most listened to “specialist” show on FM radio on the West Coast of the United States. It airs every Friday night from 10pm – Midnight PST. Checkout www.z90.com for more info. The show is also Podcast weekly worldwide on iTunes.
21) Best Radio station:
Tristan D: Electric Area, Sirius XM and Z90.3 FM in the USA. Naturally, BBC Radio 1 in the UK. For various reasons, the BBC still holds my utmost respect for their continued diversity with their programming.
22) Best Online Record shop where you usually purchase your music:
Tristan D:Even though I get sent a ridiculously large amount of promos each week, I still head to Beatport and Trackitdown every day to grab those stragglers! I love to buy music too, Growing up I used to spend ALL my weekly earnings on vinyl in my hometown Brighton, UK.
23) Best Website that you visit regularly:
Tristan D: BBC News/CNN/Fox, I’m an international world affairs geek, I always like to be abreast of the goings on in the world.
24) Best smart phone/mobile/App:
Tristan D: Flights Aware, this App doesn’t jut track flights, it brings up a “local” radar and also brings you information on weather conditions en route, plus you can save many preferences. For the frequent business traveller, this App is a must!
25) Best DJ/Producer product (software or hardware):
Tristan D: I’m a big fan of Ableton to produce with; this has been a fairly recent switch from Logic.
26) Best new sound or sample which has been used in EDM this year, preferably introduced by you?
Tristan D: The new “Massive Kontrol 9” is truly epic, yet diverse and crazy! I highly recommend it.
Tristan D: Aimed at me would have to be during one of my recent Friday night radio shows, a young lady from California Tweeted: “I think my boyfriend loves you more than he loves me. Do you swing?” Needless to say, I was shocked…
28) Best piece of News you heard this year related to Electronic Dance Music:
Tristan D: Probably that most artists have finally decided that we can’t be ranked by a stupid number or a dumb “top 100” poll. It’s taken long enough, there’s too many great artists that don’t deserve to have their talent judged by a corrupt poll.
29) Best personal achievement related to Electronic Dance Music:
Tristan D:Having a top 10 Beatport hit with “Vertigo” signed to Vandit. Also, the success of my US radio show, gaining ratings never seen before for EDM on FM. Fingers crossed for an IDMA one day.
Tristan D: I’m a keen pilot in my spare time. After training in my late teens, I still keep up my wings. Nicole and I regularly take to the sky over our home in California.
Tristan D: I was extremely fortunate enough to have one of the worlds best artists mentor me during my early years. Judge Jules has always supplied me with solid, helpful and realistic advice, most of which I’ve always tried to yield. We’re still extremely close and speak on a daily basis.
Tristan D: “The Music Bible”. This is a legal book, appropriately given to me by Jules. It breaks down the SP on all things relating to the most essential things we need to know legally as producers.
33) Best Movie of the year preferably related to EDM or inspired you to compose a track.
Tristan D:A tricky one, but I’m gonna say “Bad Grandpa”. This is in no way EDM related, nor did it inspire me to write a track. 100% the funniest film I’ve seen this year, maybe even the past 10 years!
34) Best tip that you learnt this year relating to DJ’ing or music composition
Tristan D: This year I’ve particularly started writing lyrics; this is no easy task when you’re trying to be catchy and original. I still have a lot to learn, but I’m constantly taking things to the next level.
Dimitri: 2014 is ahead of us; would you like to tell us your plans for future releases, tracks, albums, collaborations or DJ gigs.
Tristan D: I have an extremely exciting 2014 ahead, with stacks of new music forthcoming under my alias project with Tangle, called “Nu-State”. We’re also returning to Ibiza, opening 3 new clubs in California and we’re re-commencing one of the biggest brands in EDM. Watch this space baby!
Thanks very much for taking the time to reply to this interview
Thanks to Alexa from Vandit record offices for her support to organize this interview
Interview was written and conducted by Dimitri Kechagias, Music Journalist, Radio DJ
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