The last 12 months have been a dizzying experience for 21 year old Queenslander Tyson Illingworth, known to everyone but his grandmother as DJ TYDI. Taking out the coveted number one spot in the Sony In The Mix top 50 DJ poll in 2008 led to a lot of recourse for the trance mogul - signing a record deal with Armin van Buuren's label Armada, having his productions play-listed by international heavyweights like Above & Beyond, Sander Kleinenberg, Andy Moor and Markus Schulz and also touring around the country, playing in some of Australia's biggest venues that had in the past predominantly only played host to electro house acts.
"The best year of my life without a doubt!" enthuses TyDi. "I've been sharing my music to crowds as big as 40,000 and playing all over the place. I released my debut album this year too - that was pretty special for me."
TyDi's production skills were honed whilst studying at the Queensland Conservatorium of Music where he focussed on music technology, incorporating his love for dance music with a desire to move forward in the industry. "The study has been vital to my career and has really accelerated the learning process for me," TyDi explains. "Electronic music has always been my main interest, melodic dance especially. I'd say that it was always going to be my focus but I am now branching out a lot into other areas of the music industry too."
Well known for the boundless energy and emotion he projects in his DJ sets, it's interesting to divulge how he translates this into his studio work. "My own productions are an example of what I desire in a track; I create energy and emotion using certain chord progressions, rhythms... everything! The main way to create energy in a track is through 'tension and release' - building certain elements up until one massive peak and then releasing it into something beautiful."
With the rise and rise of other forms of house music dominating the club scene across the nation, he remains optimistic about the trance scene in Australia. "Trance in Australia is certainly getting bigger, and I am trying my best to make it massive!" TyDi exclaims. "We do have a very healthy dance scene and I have been able to play trance every weekend in different cities, so that's a good sign!"
The young master returns to Canberra for the Ministry of Sound Trance Nation tour, following the release of the much anticipated compilation of the same name. "Honestly, I love Canberra! The first time I played in Canberra was at a small club but the energy was amazing. I can still remember that gig like it was yesterday! Canberra clubbers are very friendly and extremely open to music. It's great to see clubbers who are open minded and ready to hear something that is not the same old commercial stuff. I love playing in Canberra and I am very excited to come back!"
Reach for the lasers!
TyDi will spin some magic on Friday August 28 at Academy. Tickets available through QJump, Parliament, Landspeed Records and inthemix.com.au.
