UV & UV Noir Records boss Paul Thomas delivers cracking 60 minutes of progressive…

Paul Thomas is a globally respected DJ and producer whose catalogue of influential releases and remixes has firmly established him as a key figure in contemporary progressive music.

As head honcho at UV & UV Noir Records, he has overseen a steady run of standout releases that have become regular go-to selections for DJs across the spectrum.

Most recently, his remix of Depeche Mode’s ‘Enjoy the Silence’ topped the Beatport charts, while his rework of John Creamer & Stéphane K’s ‘I Wish You Were Here’ (featured on this mix) sensitively expanded on an already revered classic.

Alongside his studio output, Thomas recently launched a new YouTube vodcast, Underground Live Forever, streaming from Armada Studios in Amsterdam.

For this Balance Selections mix, he draws on years of experience to deliver a finely balanced, forward-leaning progressive set. Featuring music from GMJ & Matter, Ruben Karapetyan, Fran Garay and more, this is an assured 60-minute journey that unfolds with clarity and intent.

Tracklist

1. Fran Garay – Do What You Can {Meanwhile Horizons}
2. GMJ, Matter – Keepers {Meanwhile}
3. North Atlantic – Lights Out (FM & Maze 28 L8 Reform) {Promo}
4. John Creamer & Stephane K – I Wish You Were Here (Paul Thomas Remix) {UV}
5. Paul Thomas – Benediction [UV] 6. Taylan feat. KNVWN – Wanna Be With You (Hobin Rude Remix) {inU}
7. Sam Scheme – Bas Khalar {Mango Alley}
8. Ruben Karapetyan – Pantheon {UV}
9. Guy J – A Moment Of Clarity {Global Underground}
10. Kandar & Leandro Murua – Loco {UV Noir}
11. Carla Cimino & Luciano Scheffer – Zephyr {Sprout}
12. Miro – Paradise (Quivver Remix) {UV}
13. Das Pharaoh, Tiefstone – Endless Summer {UV}
14. Juan Buitrago, Maximo Gambini, Julian Moreno – Blended {UV Noir}

Balance Selections Q+A

Name: Paul Thomas
Location: London, UK
Alias/Producer name: Paul Thomas
Labels affiliated with: Owner of UV & UV Noir record labels

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My last 3 releases:

What music did you listen to as a child?

My first love of music was Britpop. The explosion of bands was impossible to escape in the UK, and Oasis who are my all time favourite band were the leaders of the whole movement.

When was the first time you realised that you liked electronic music?

The first time I watched Trainspotting was my first glimpse of electronic music. I remember hearing Underworld – Born Slippy and Bedrock – For What You Dream Of and wondering what the hell this music was.

There was a record shop next to the sports store I worked at when I was 16, so I went from asking them for the latest Pulp or Ocean Colour Scene single to anything electronic literally overnight.

When was the first time you saw a DJ in a club?

My first experience at a ‘real’ club was a night called Republica at Bakers in my hometime of Birmingham, which happened to be owned by the same people that owned Gatecrasher.

Judge Jules played with a resident called Andy Cleeton, and I remember not knowing anything at all that Andy played, but remember loving it regardless!

Which producers/artists/acts inspire you?

Sasha has always been a huge inspiration. I remember hearing Global Underground San Fran for the first time when it was released in 1998 and it completely changing everything I wanted to listen to and play.

What was the last album that you downloaded/purchased?

I’m currently re-buying loads of old vinyl after losing most in a flood in my house, so the last album I bought was actually and old one, Deep Dish’s Yoshiesque. More recently, I collaborated on a track on Maze 28’s artist album on Mango Alley, which is amazing

What is your current production and DJ setup like?

I only use software and I tend to stick to a trusted few synths for a period of time. Probably the same as everyone else use, but Serum 2, Pigments, Omnisphere are very much my go to plug-ins for synths, although Trilucid recently got me onto Retrologue.

Soundtoys for fx & Fabfilter stuff for mixing, and more recently I have definitely been over-using the RC-20!.

What releases do you have on the horizon?

I just released a new EP on my UV label called Benediction. I’m working on a few collaborations at the moment with Trilucid & Ruben Karapetyan for example.

Where can we hear you perform?

Last month we launched our new video & audio podcast called Underground Live Forever, which is a weekly audio show, with once a month video recorded from the Armada studios in Amsterdam and hosted on YouTube, as well as all streaming platforms.

We have had some amazing guests in the studio for the videocast sessions such as Alex O’Rion, GMJ & Matter. We also just recorded an episode from Sri Lanka, showcasing the amazing progressive scene out there.

Tell us more about the podcast you made for Balance?

It’s a mix built in Ableton, with lots of layers and edits to try and give it a smooth feel. I featured a lot of music from my own UV & UV Noir labels, including Quivver’s amazing remix of the Hooj Choons classic ‘Paradise’ by Miro, which is out on UV soon.

The top track in my DJ set currently is:

Both in my live sets and in this Balance Selections mix, there is a track that I have been playing frequently, and that never fails to move me, Just Strangers, by the young duo Gunnar & Saww.

This piece caught my attention the very first time I heard it as a demo. I decided to sign it, and it will be released on my label, Hiato Music. The track has a truly unique structure.

They masterfully created a creative progression that leads into a beautifully crafted progressive guitar solo after the final drop. This song is genuinely special to me.

The top track in my DJ set currently is:

If I could recommend only one of my tracks for you to listen to it would be:

If I could recommend only one track for you to listen to it would be: