Despite his young age, Thomas Newson has, over the last few years, made sizeable waves throughout the dance music community. With a seemingly unstoppable run of strong releases, spectacular live shows and major label ventures under his belt, Newson remains the unprecedented success story of recent memory, having experienced a massive spike of interest in 2014 and built momentum ever since. With the support of artists such as Hardwell, Avicii, Tiësto, W&W and Afrojack amongst others, Newson undoubtedly has the potential to be the heir to Holland’s big room throne. His latest release, partnered with Magnificence featuring Alex Joseph, “Tonight” is scheduled to drop August 15th, but be sure to check out the track preview below.

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Sean Ritchie: Let’s kick this off by describing what you really love about your home country the Netherlands. What really makes it home to you? Also, what would you suggest a first-time visitor to see?

Thomas Newson: For the first-time visitor, you should go to Amsterdam man. You should try this really nice thing called stroopwafels. It’s like a sort of cookie. The tour manager for Hardwell tasted it, and now every time he comes to Holland he wraps up tons of stroppwafels [to bring] to America. For Americans, you should try that one.

There are so many things to do. What makes it really home to me is it’s so tiny. I know everyone, every, single, person. That’s what I really like. At night there’s nothing to do, there’s no cars [out], no bicycles, no one. Everybody is sleeping. It’s the best way to make music also.

© Loïc Lagarde

SR: I’ll have to try that! Why’s that the best way to make music?

TN: You really have no phone calls. Nobody is texting me. I can fully focus on music. That’s why I really like to work in a studio at night.

SR: That actually leads me into my next question. So many artists come from the Netherlands. What specifically about the country creates that atmosphere where seemingly countless artists are successful?

TN: Yeah, it’s crazy. Our country is so small and we have so many artists that are that are big. I don’t really know. I do know that there is always [cruddy] weather. We are locked in houses [sometimes] 24/7. So, that’s maybe why we’re making music. We’re so bored that we don’t know what to do that it’s like, “Yeah, let’s make music.” Maybe that’s the key.

SR: That very well could be it. Now, talk about your own start. How did you start wanting to become a DJ and produce music?

TN: My dad was also a DJ. He did a show in my hometown [‘s-Hertogenbosch], an own show for the local people. They really liked to come out and see him. I was about 14 or 15 and I was staying there with my friends. It was the first time I really, I knew the dance music, but it was the first time that I really went out with friends to a party. That really got me into music and I really wanted to make music. I downloaded Logic Pro and from there on I was [hooked]. Then, two years after, I had my first release on Spinnin’ Records.

SR: Wow, it’s really cool when it kind of falls into place naturally, along with hard work and dedication. Transitioning to travel, how does music and travel fit together?

TN: Yeah, man. Well, for me it easy to combine both. I can really easily [have] an idea when I’m on tour. Some of my best ideas came up when I was touring. To mix a track and mastering you really need a studio, but having ideas can be anywhere. I can do it in my hotel room, in the plane or when the driver is there taking me to something. I can always make music [anywhere]. For me it works really easily together.

SR: One of our core objectives at SCP is to bring people together while traveling, and specifically dance music’s culture brings people together. How special is it to pack clubs while traveling the world?

TN: Yeah, it’s crazy. The feeling is not normal. It’s really nice to bring people together in this setting.

© Moyan Brenn

SR: It really is. So, everyone has a list of places that they want to see, but haven’t been to yet. What are three countries that you still want to hit?

TN: I’m not sure which country it is, whether it’s Iceland or Sweden, but somewhere where you can see the northern lights. I really want to see that. Maybe it will give me inspiration or something. It’s something I really want to see. I really want to go to Argentina and Australia as well. Those three places I haven’t been and I really want to go.

SR: Most destinations have a festival that they’re known for, whether it’s Tomorrowland in Belgium, or Oktoberfest in Munich. What’s one festival that you would go to if given the choice?

TN: Oh, I’m not really a festival goer. I really like to go out with friends to pubs when I’m free. I’m not really going out to a dance festival, but if I was maybe Awakenings. It’s like a techno festival in Holland. I really like to go to techno festivals. I really like to listen to that music when I’m free.

SR: I’m always curious to what other music artists listen to outside of their own genre. What other kinds of music do you listen to?

TN: Yeah, I like hip-hop as well. I really like Drake, but everyone likes Drake. He’s like the biggest hip-hop artist I think. I like Travis Scott as well. I’m not really that deep into hip-hop, I only really know the biggest artists. I really like hip-hop when I’m driving to the airport. It’s nice to listen to that music when you’re in the car.

SR: That’s cool to hear you listen to stuff outside of your realm. So, when you do have some down time and you’re looking to get away, are you a beach guy or are you trying to be in the center of the city somewhere?

TN: Ah, I actually try to be in my studio. But, I really like to be in the city. I’m more of a city guy.

© MM

SR: I like the city as well. There’s so much to do. Now, looking forward at the next couple of months. Do you have any shows our tours planned?

TN: I’m doing Creamfields again. I’m playing Ibiza [soon] with Hardwell. I’m also doing a China tour in September, as well as an Asia tour. For tracks, I have a new track coming out [August 15] called “Tonight”. It’s with Magnificence, two guys from Holland. They’re really talented. The track is coming out on Revealed Recordings.

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For more on Thomas Newson visit his website:

Cover photo © Gerard Henninger