Groove Control: Paige Tomlinson’s Rise in House

From spinning records in the hidden gems of Liverpool to playing at the iconic Glastonbury festival, Paige Tomlinson has become a high-profile name in house music. Known for her impressive blend of '90s house grooves with cutting-edge beats, Paige has not only clinched victories in top DJ competitions for Defected Records and Moxy Muzik but has also laid down tracks that have become anthems in the music industry.

In this exclusive interview, Paige gives us the inside track on her meteoric rise, from her initial breakthroughs to her latest bangers like the crowd-favorite EP Butts Bumpin'. She delves into the evolution of her distinct sound, the strategic moves behind her groove-driven sets, and the personal drive that propels her forward in a competitive industry.

Join us as we explore Paige Tomlinson’s journey and discover how her magnetic energy and standout releases are defining her evolution, one set at a time!

Let’s say you have writer’s block as a producer. How do you approach the creative process or find inspiration for your music when you begin working on a new track or EP?

Normally when I have writer’s block, I’ll listen to a bunch of tracks that I’m loving at the moment and use one as a reference to try to create something similar.

What’s been the biggest highlight and challenge of your career so far? What brought your name to the spotlight?

The biggest highlight of my career so far would definitely be playing at the Glastonbury Festival. It’s a festival I’ve been going to for years, so to have had the chance to play there was such a huge bucket list tick. A challenge of my career so far, and probably one I’m still trying to work on, is comparing myself to others on social media. It’s so important to try and stay in your own lane and focus on yourself.

What role has mentorship played in your development as an artist? Have you had any mentors? Any artist you admire?

I haven’t had any mentors specifically, but I am lucky that I have met a lot of great people in the industry who I would now call friends. I can call them for advice, to bounce ideas off, or get feedback about things.

Can you share the significance behind the title of your EP, 'Butts Bumpin’'? Any funny crowd reactions when releasing that track?

To be honest, there was no real significance behind it; I just called it what the lyrics were saying… I know, pretty original, haha. But I do get people coming up to me randomly singing the lyrics all the time!

Is there a track you’re itching to remix? Is there someone looking to remix your track?

Confidence Man! I would definitely love to remix one of their tunes and vice versa; I would love them to remix one of mine!

What's your method for curating songs for a set, especially for massive gigs like those at Defected Croatia?

When I’m creating a playlist for a set, I always try to envision what I think the crowd will want at that point in time. Sometimes it works; other times, I just have to read the crowd when I’m there.

Looking back, what advice would you give to your younger self just starting out in the DJ scene? The advice I’d give to my younger self is to always be true to yourself and never follow the crowd. Create your own path; don’t copy someone else’s.

How would you compare your style of sound then vs. now?

When I started DJing back in 2017, I was playing completely different stuff to what I play now. I used to play disco and was also really into more minimal tech stuff as well. Whereas now, I’d say my style is very much influenced by 90s house. High energy and happy vibes!

What’s your take on the current state of the music scene in Liverpool and beyond?

I’d say the current state of the music scene is quite worrying, to be honest. I’ve seen some of my favorite venues that I grew up going to close down in Liverpool and beyond. Since Covid, it’s been harder for smaller venues to get back up and running again and compete with larger venues, and you can see since then it’s had a huge impact on ticket sales.

Do you see any emerging trends in music that excite you or that you think will become more mainstream?

I’m loving how things are getting faster. It’s my guilty pleasure when I have a set that I’m able to play at a faster bpm.

What are your goals for the next five years, both professionally and personally?

Professional goals for the next five years would be to concentrate on making the best music I possibly can. Personal goals would be making sure I’m getting the balance right: make sure I’m working out, eating healthy so that I’ve got a clear mind in the studio.

If you could organize your own music festival, what three artists would headline, and where would it be held?

Peggy Gou, Job Jobse & Chloe Caillet.

If you could only play music from one decade during a set, which decade would you choose and why?

The '90s definitely, to be honest, I’m pretty much doing that in most of my sets at the minute, haha.

Which fictional character do you think would enjoy your music the most, and why?

Alan from The Hangover. I think he would be an absolute ball!