| Tom Stephan | |
|---|---|
| Background information | |
| Genres | House |
| Occupations | Disc jockey, Record producer |
| Years active | 2001–present |
| Website | http://www.tomstephan.com/ |
Tom Stephan is a house music producer and DJ.
Tom Stephan was raised in the western New York town of Olean but moved to London to go to college. It was in London that he started his DJ career, opening up for Danny Tenaglia and eventually hosting regular house nights at the Turnmills club. Originally he named his production project Tracy & Sharon, but under the moniker "Superchumbo" (super-leaded gasoline in Portuguese), he received more attention.
The world’s first intro to Superchumbo was nothing less than an uprising. “The Revolution” first burst through club speakers in 2001, bringing with it a battlecry for a new generation of sonic soldiers: “It’s time for the revolution,” sang Victoria Wilson James. “Get down on your knees.”
With that simple lyric – plus a sexy new sound that encompassed percussive wallops, globular synths, a respect for house traditions, and a dark sensibility that bordered on industrial – the dance world had a hit, and a new “it”-producer.
It became quite clear quite quickly, however, that Tom Stephan, the New York native/London resident behind Superchumbo was more than just one track, or one sound. The consummate music lover, sonic explorer, and dedicated DJ has continually evolved in the years since “Revolution,” seeking out new sounds, remixing superstars, and playing around the globe, all while building on the foundation he first laid down as a punter in the after-hours clubs of New York: Groove, sex, and always more than a bit of darkness.
Tom was a student at the London International Film School in 1991 when a night out during a visit home landed him on Junior Vasquez’s dance floor at the legendary Sound Factory. “I had never heard music like this before; sounds like DJ Pierre, Cajmere, X Press 2. It was all new to me and I became a househead overnight,” he says. “I still pick up the things that make sense toresonate with me around the world and put them through a my New York filter: The heart soul of the sound I like love is there”
Bolstered by support from Danny Tenaglia, Deep Dish, and Pete Tong (who named it the “Track of the Year”), “The Revolution” kick-started both Tom’s production and DJ-ing career. He took residencies at Substation and Crash, and hatched his own night, Roach, at Turnmills. Now, the in-demand DJ travels the world and is a regular at venues like Ministry of Sound in London, Pacha in NYC, Amnesia in Ibiza, and ageHa in Tokyo.
By 2002, Tom had already collected enough stellar material for a best-of: “Get The Lead Out: The Best of Superchumbo,” which also provided a roadmap of what he had dubbed the “lead-head” sound. That flinty groove got a full-time home when Tom launched his own label, ChumboMundo. Although primarily a home for Tom’s productions, the imprint has also released material from like minded producers like Tokyo’s Toru S, Chicago’s Lex Da Funk, and Holland’s Fierce Ruling Diva.
“Wowie Zowie,” Tom’s debut artist album for Twisted (2005), sounded like the soundtrack to a haunted nightclub circus. It featured collaborations with sex kitten Samantha Fox and club personality Alan T, and bore big-room hits like “Irresistible,” “This Beat Is,” and “Dirtyfilthy.” Mixed compilation “Let’s Go Chumbo!” (2007) went down a road more minimalist and metallic, showing the artist’s broadening tastes. And in 2008, Tom indulged his flare for the theatrical on “Asseteria: Live From New York,” a compilation inspired by the Sunday night/Monday morning party of the same name, featuring a full cast of costumed go-go girls and gender-benders.
Tom’s latest originals – “Turn That Shit Up” (for Southern Fried) and “Lights Out” (with Pete Gleadall for Nervous) – reflect his newest inspirations: the electro sound of the UK and the new Dutch sound.
Tom also has a unique ability to layer underground sounds over unexpected material in a way that makes seamless sense. His now-classic remix of Missy Elliot’s “Get Your Freak On” kept the smoldering funk of the original but injected a dose of grimy dancefloor energy. His resume also includes re-rubs of Goldfrapp, Pet Shop Boys, and Kylie Minogue. Forthcoming takes on high-profile, of-the-moment releases – Major Lazer’s “Keep It Going Louder” and Gossip’s “Heavy Cross” – show him manipulating staccato pop and Beth Ditto’s Joplin-esque wale into perfectly jerky, funky bites that keep the unique vibes of the originals while adding his own.