Photograph courtesy of Tom VR.
Tom VR’s sets and production have a tendency to glimmer.
On his newest album Don’t Know How Fast I’m Moving Until I Hit Something (released September 18 via his own Heart Somersault label), the British producer blends propulsive percussion with fractal synth work that is galactic in its glittering multiplicity. His sensorial musicality has led to key collaborations with everyone from the rising electronic wizard HAAi to techno OG John Beltran, and sets at Coachella alongside Grimes and London’s The Barbican.
For his FADER Mix, Tom VR crafted an hour-long set that wavers between states of drift and acceleration. Beginning in an ambient dream state, it turns to jazz drums before calcifying into a space for wandering and dancing in equal measure. “[It’s] club-focused for the most part,” he says of the set. “Some delicate moments, some intense moments and tracks with interesting sound design … It’s like a flight that ascends, experiences turbulence and feels a bit sidewinding, but ultimately the take off and landing are in the same place.”
Listen to Tom VR’s FADER Mix on Soundcloud, Youtube, and Mixcloud. Check out its tracklist, and read an interview with Tom VR below.
Tom VR’s FADER Mix Tracklist:
WangleLine - "Incaden Wavelets"
Ghost Warrior - "Air"
Echologist - "Mobil"
Softi - "Amphibian Wiggles"
Josef Tumari - "Duwel"
Shed - "Slow Motion Replay"
DJ Set - "Drive"
Lord Of The Isles - "Q-Bit"
upsammy - "Background Impact"
Louf - [Unconfirmed Track ID]
Data Plan & 11:68PM - "Memory High"
James Bangura - "The Angst (Tension Mix)"
Sam Goku - "Bliss Drift"
Cleyra - "There's Nothing Happening Between Us"
Tom VR - "Don't Know How Fast I'm Moving Until I Hit Something"
Outputmessage - "Sommeil"
MoMA Ready - "Form 1.3"
Plus One - "Super Moon On Jamesons Beach"
STE - "STEDIT B (If You Wait)"
Facta - "Witness"
Tyrell Dub Corp - "Inner Garden"
Skee Mask - "Clear Sky 909"
Amandra - "Drakona"
Observer Station - "Verlucent"
Hexana - "20230922 10a Ender"
Tom VR - "New Meds (Landing Safely)"
What led you to start DJing?
When I first started producing, someone in my hometown heard about what I was doing and wanted to book me for their first party. I was 17 at the time, and learned how to play specifically for that set. Shout out to Josh for being my mentor.
What’s the first set you ever played?
The Mango Club in Chester. It was a really special series of parties curated by real tastemakers (Benito and Bondy) who definitely had a vision ahead of their time. They were bringing really interesting and underground acts to a city that didn’t have anything special in terms of nightlife. I learned so much from them. I planned the whole thing beginning to end, all the transitions, and was using CDs at the time. My organisation is pretty bad, so the thought of doing a DJ set using CDs with marker pen scribbles on them feels terrifying to me now.
What DJs or artists inspire you?
Ricardo Villalobos, for sure. Call Super is maybe the most consistent I’ve seen through the years. I played with Cleyra recently, and they played such an incredible set, it was perfect. Varied but cohesive, and so well curated. Huge shout out to Cleyra.
In terms of artists/producers, it varies so much because I draw inspiration from many different areas. Here are some off the top of my head that inspire me for various reasons: Loraine James, Aphex Twin, Kelela, Blawan, Huerco S.
How has your local scene shaped your mixing and curation?
I’d say that the local scene that shaped me the most was Leeds. I studied and lived there for a few years and those were extremely formative for me, and the scene there truly felt like a community. Quite DIY, and people putting things on for the love of it. I started DJing a lot when I was there, and in a variety of different places, so I really got a sense for playing in different rooms and for different people. My first sets were at Mint Club, parties that were more tech house, and minimal. I played at Distrikt, Wire (one of the best clubs of all time), many house parties. It just felt like I was brushing shoulders with people who were experts in all different genres, and just doing it out of love for music. I learned a lot there.
What’s the most memorable set you’ve ever played?
I think closing the main stage at Magnetic Fields in India. It was just a lot of people, and all so passionate and receptive. I think it was the most nervous I’ve been and the most adrenaline fuelled I’ve been in memory.
What excites you about the future of nightlife?
I think there is a desire for connection, and experiencing things authentically in-person more than ever, and I feel this is just going to grow and grow: the feeling of being part of something. I personally find myself seeking out things that I find special. Events that are well curated, surprising or unconventional. Spaces that have amazing sound and are well designed. That’s what excites me the most.
How would you describe your FADER mix?
There was a real focus on detail and texture with this mix. I wanted to create something that felt like it was somewhat adjacent to the world of my album. I was also digging for a 3 hour set when I recorded this, so I kinda had that in mind also. Usually I play a lot of unreleased songs in mixes, but I kinda made a point to steer away from that and focus on other people’s tracks that I’m really feeling at the moment.
Where did you record the mix? Describe your surroundings.
The mix was recorded at my friend Charlie’s house. I usually record my mixes there because he has a great set up, with a hand crafted sound system, good light, and a very cute cat, Pebble. Thank you always Charlie and Peb.
Beyond DJing and music, what's an interest you have that may surprise people?
In the last year I’ve been really interested in 3D digital design. I’ve been learning Blender and spent pretty much all of my free time playing on it. All the visuals around my album were made by me. Sculpting 3D digital spaces, mountain ranges, islands, pools of water, oceans. I kinda fell in love with the idea of escapism in this way. Like building places to spend time in. I think I have way more to explore in this area. Also horror films.
