TyDi

Summary

TyDi (/ˈtdi/; born Tyson Illingworth, 31 May 1987) is an Australian DJ and record producer specializing in electronic dance music. Originally from Queensland, TyDi was signed by Armin van Buuren's Armada label at 17 and was ranked at No. 1 of Junkee's Australian Top 50 DJs in 2008 and 2009.

tyDi
tyDi performing at Global Gathering 2008
tyDi performing at Global Gathering 2008
Background information
Birth nameTyson Illingworth
Also known asWish I Was, Tyson Diorr
Born (1987-05-31) 31 May 1987 (age 36)
Mooloolaba, Australia
OriginBrisbane, Australia
GenresEDM, trance, house
Occupation(s)Songwriter, record producer, DJ, radio host of Dash Radio.
Years active2002–present
LabelsArmada, Generationext, AVA, Stomp, Republic, Global Soundsystem
WebsitetyDi.com

In 2009, he released his first album entitled Look Closer and in 2011 his second album Shooting Stars. It reached No.1 on the Australian, Canadian, Finnish and UK iTunes Dance charts and No.4 in the USA. Between 2008 and 2012 TyDi was included in the annual DJ Mag Top 100 DJs poll, with his highest position at No. 48 in 2011.[1][2][3][4] In October 2012, TyDi signed a worldwide publishing deal with Rondor/Universal Music and a record deal with Republic Records in April 2013.[5] His third album, Hotel Rooms, was released 22 November 2013.

His fourth album, Redefined, was released on 30 September 2014 and debuted at No. 4 on the USA iTunes dance chart and No.5 on the Australian iTunes dance chart.[6][7] "Redefined", the title track on TyDi's third album, became the number one dance airplay record in the USA[8] and also reached as high as No.9 on the Billboard Dance/Mix Show Airplay Chart in April 2015.[9] It was also named Sirius XM Electro No.1 song of 2015.[10] His sixth album, Collide, a collaboration with Christopher Tin, was released on 9 March 2018.

Life and career edit

Early years edit

Tyson is from Mooloolaba on Queensland's Sunshine Coast. At 14, he became keen on dance music, particularly trance, and began DJing.[11][12] His parents encouraged him to play an instrument, but he became interested in turntables and songwriting.[11] He began participating in competition when he was 16.[13] One competition misprinted his nickname "Tydi" as "tyDi," which led to the stylization of his stage name.[11] TyDi graduated from Queensland Conservatorium of Music with a Bachelor of Music Technology.[14][15]

In 2006, he entered Junkee's Australian Top 50 DJs at No. 12, and No. 4 the following year.[16][17] In 2008, he reached No. 1, becoming the youngest person to top the chart.[18]

2009–2011: Look Closer and Shooting Stars edit

In 2009, TyDi released his debut album Look Closer, which reached No. 2 in the Australian Dance Charts.[19] It featured 15 predominantly trance tracks. A review from Junkee's In The Mix stated, "Look Closer is an absolute belter of a debut, and displays a musical maturity way beyond Tydi's years."[20] Electronic music website Trance.nu wrote that Look Closer was "of world class quality the likes of some of the best trance and progressive artist albums out there."[21] A few months later he mixed a disc for the annual Ministry of Sound Trance Nation release and continued at No. 1 for the 2009 Junkee DJ chart.[22]

During 2009 and 2010, Tydi released singles such as "You Walk Away" (featuring Audrey Gallagher), "Good Dream", "Vanilla" (featuring Tanya Zygar), (again featuring Audrey Gallagher) and the anthem "Half Light" (featuring Tanya Zygar). In February 2010, he won "Best Break-Through DJ" at the International Dance Music Awards (IDMA),[23] against Boys Noize, Chuckie, Joris Voorn and Super8 & Tab.[24] On 16 April 2011, TyDi made first appearance at the annual A State of Trance (ASOT) at Sydney's Acer Arena. He also appeared during ASOT 550 in Kiev, Ukraine in 2012.

TyDi's second album, Shooting Stars, in August 2011. The album explored several genres of electronic music, unlike his trance-heavy debut album. It featured collaborations with vocalists such as Tania Zygar, Brianna Holan, Audrey Gallagher and DJ Rap. Talking Reviews said "For want of a better description, this musical journey is nothing short of astounding and breath taking".[14] Meanwhile, Beat Magazine described the final track, "Ariana," "could be rated the best album outro of 2011."[25] About half of the tracks have been released in extended club mixes or remixes. After the album release, TyDi continued touring, playing many shows a year in London, Macau, Sydney, and his hometown of Brisbane.

2012–2014: Hotel Rooms, label change, and Redefined edit

 
tyDi performing at Sutra in California, 2012

In October 2012, TyDi released, "Glow in the Dark", a collaboration with Ultra Records artist Kerli, which played on over 10 Top 40 radio stations.[citation needed] The accompanying music video was premiered on VEVO.com and shown on MTV's Clubland. Later that month, TyDi signed a worldwide publishing deal with Rondor/Universal Music. He signed his first major label record deal with Republic Records in April 2013. His EP When I Go was released in January 2013 containing two trance tracks, a progressive house number and a chillout track as well as multiple remixes.

His third album, a chillout album called Hotel Rooms, was released 22 November 2013. TyDi worked with American producer and DJ BT to collaborate on two tracks on BT's ninth album A Song Across Wires: "Tonight" (with JES) and "Stem the Tides" (with Tania Zygar).[26] In August 2014, he released "Stay" with Dia Frampton, the runner up in The Voice's debut season.

TyDi's fourth album, Redefined, was released on 30 September 2014. The project features vocals by Chris Carrabba and Jordan Witzigreuter.[27] The album reached No. 5 on both the US and Australian iTunes dance charts on day of release.[citation needed] According to TyDi, Redefined represented a change in his approach to music creation, focusing more on songwriting rather than just hooks and rhythms. The album took three years to write and produce, during which time approximately 300 songs that were started were whittled down to the final 20. The album was not genre specific with house, progressive house, pop (ish), trance and chillout tracks all making the final cut.[28] The title track, "ReDefined", reach number one on the dance airplay charts in the US in April 2015.[8] Following the making of the music video for the song, it was revealed that Redefined was the final piece in a planned sequence. The trilogy begins with "Live This Lie" and ends with "Stay" but "Redefined" was the missing middle piece completing the story.

On 20 November 2014, TyDi announced that he had made a promise to all of his trance fans and would be producing an EP in time for Christmas with all money being donated to children in need.[29] That EP, The Promise, was released on 14 December 2014. It features five trance tracks in his "old" style (circa 2008) and features not only solo tracks but collaborations with Audrey Gallagher, The Ready Set, Dennis Sheppard and Jennifer Rene.

2015–present: Collide edit

On 18 September 2015, TyDi released his single "Tear Me Up," a pop track featuring vocalist Nash Overstreet, who is also the lead guitarist in the band Hot Chelle Rae. The track peaked at No. 49 on the Dance/Electronic Billboard chart.

On 14 July 2015, TyDi revealed that a new artist that had appeared on SoundCloud early in 2015, was in fact his alter-ego.[citation needed] According to the post, Wish I Was was his "darker" side. The post also suggests, Wish I Was came about because Tyson had entered an extended creative block when trying to write songs as TyDi. However, after writing about half the tracks that eventually came out on the debut Wish I Was EP, internet publications began to report on the producer, at first suggesting it might be the work of Galantis before TyDi eventually owned up to the project himself.[citation needed] On 6 May 2016, the first Wish I Was EP was released on iTunes featuring 15 tracks.[30]

Collide is TyDi's sixth feature album and is a collaboration with composer Christopher Tin.[31] Released 8 March 2018, it took 3 years to create. The album featured 12 tracks. TyDi stated in July 2018 he had been asked to work on some songs in the worldwide Disney on Ice production.[32]

Awards edit

No.1 DJ - 2008 Sony InTheMix Top 50 Awards[33] No.1 DJ - 2009 InTheMix Top 50 Awards[34]

In February 2010, TyDi won the "Best Breakthrough DJ" award at the International Dance Music Awards.[23]

In 2015, TyDi was awarded the Griffith University Young Outstanding Alumnus of the Year for his contributions to the music industry.[35]

Other ventures edit

In October 2015, TyDi appeared as a guest on the Herd Mentality Podcast with host Adam Reakes to discuss his personal love of science, critical thinking in the music industry, and the hidden scientific meanings embedded in his song titles. TyDi reveals himself to be a proponent of secular scientific research, and a critic of Homeopathic medicines and treatments.

Global Soundsystem Podcast edit

From November 2011 through to June 2016, TyDi hosted a weekly radio show/podcast of world electronic dance music called Global Soundsystem. All up there were 331 episodes. On 10 May 2012, the show was shortened from a two-hour to a one-hour format. It was syndicated to more than 30 countries weekly and is still available for download via iTunes and some episodes are also available on SoundCloud.[36]

The 50th episode included many well-known DJs including Paul Oakenfold, Judge Jules, Sasha, Sander Van Doorn and Markus Schulz.[37] The 100th episode was special in a different way with fans introducing all of the tracks.

Discography edit

Studio albums edit

  • Look Closer (2009) (EQ / Stomp)
  • Shooting Stars (2011) (Armada)
  • Global Soundsystem 2012: California (2012) (Armada)
  • Hotel Rooms (2013) (Armada)
  • Redefined (2014) (Global Soundsystem Records)
  • Collide (2018) (Global Soundsystem Records)

Extended plays edit

  • Never Seems So/Starcrossed (2007) (Trancetribe Recordings)
  • Hide/Closer Than My Breath (2008) (AVA Recordings)
  • When I Go (You Will Know) (2013) (S107 Recordings)
  • The Promise (2014) (Global Soundsystem Records)
  • The World Below (with Ian Urbina) (2020) (Synesthesia Media)[38]

Singles edit

2006

  • Familiar Streets (Mixology Digital Records)

2008

  • Mind Games (Mazeman)
  • Never Seems So / Starcrossed (Trancetribe Recordings)
  • Russia (Armada Music)
  • Fool (Armada Music)
  • Under the Stars (Armada Music)
  • Kopi Susu (Armada Music)
  • Meet Me in Kyoto (Armada Music)

2009

2010

2011

2012

  • Loose Unit (with Richard Durand) (23 January)
  • Sex, Lies and Still Oblivious (16 July) (Single + Remix pack)
  • Jelly (Unreleased - DJ Mag Top 100 Voters Exclusive)
  • Glow in the Dark (featuring Kerli) (22 October)
  • Fire and Load (featuring Christina Novelli) (17 December) (Single + Remix Pack)

2013

  • Nothing Really Matters (featuring Melanie Fontana) (9 April)
  • Something About You (featuring Kerli) (30 July)
  • Stem the Tides (with BT and Tania Zygar) (16 August)
  • Tonight (with BT and JES) (16 August)
  • Live this Lie (featuring Carmen Keigans) (11 November)

2014

2015

  • If I Stayed (17 March)
  • Tear Me Up (featuring Nash Overstreet) (18 September)

2016

  • Only (featuring Olivia Somerlyn) (10 February)
  • Oceans (with Jack Novak and Greyson Chance) (19 February)
  • All I Ever Knew (featuring Cameron Walker) (20 May)
  • For the First Time (featuring Michael Woolery) (9 July)
  • Lost (featuring Asiahn) (12 August)
  • Sharpest Weapon (with Morten featuring Cameron Walker) (16 December)

2017

  • That's How You Know (with Col3man featuring Melanie Fontana) (3 March)
  • Count on You (with Col3man featuring Jeremy Thurber) (26 May)
  • Go for a Ride (featuring Luna) (as Wish I Was) (9 June)
  • Beautiful War (featuring Lola Rhodes) (30 June)
  • Closing In (with Christopher Tin featuring Dia Frampton) (13 October)
  • Did you know? (with Christopher Tin featuring London Thor) (17 November)

2018

  • You Don't Love Me (with Christopher Tin featuring Freesia) (26 January)
  • Gold Blooded (with Christopher Tin featuring Dyson) (16 February)
  • Please Stay (with Kundo featuring London Thor) (22 June)[39]
  • It Will Be Okay (featuring London Thor) (27 July)[40]
  • Let Go (featuring London Thor) (12 October)[41]
  • Say the Word (with JES) (7 December)[42]

2019

2020

  • I Wanna Believe (featuring Katie Sky) (13 March)[45]
  • Start Again (with Wish I Was featuring Breenley Brown) (22 May)[46]
  • Fool For You (30 October)[47]

2021

  • Feelin' Right (with Peytn and Bella Renee) (7 May)[48]
  • Tear Me Down (featuring Trey Rose) (27 August)[49]

2022

  • Just Believe (with Jes) (14 Jan)[50]

Remixes edit

2007

2008

  • D:Folt - I Come Running (Armada)

2009

  • Re-ward and Dr. Willis - Maybe
  • Beat Service and Tucandeo - Waiting for the Sun
  • Nadia Ali - Fine Print
  • 4 Strings - Take Me Away (with Dennis Shepard)
  • Adam K & Soha - Long Distance (Generationext)
  • Rank 1 - L.E.D. There Be Light (High Contrast Recordings) [with Trent McDermott]
  • Yamin featuring Marcie - Forward Motion (Motion Music)
  • Ashley Wallbridge featuring Meighan Nealon "My Blood" (Auryn Music)
  • Topher Jones - Different Parts

2010

  • Alex Bartlett - [No Title] (Released in 2011 as "Reflected" under the Fabio XB moniker)
  • Reckless - Heaven's Scent (tyDi's Vicious ReWrite)
  • Lentos - Forget About Us

2011

  • BT featuring Jes - The Light in Things
  • Vegas Baby featuring Angelic - For The Love of You
  • Allure featuring Jes - Show Me the Way
  • Fabio XB - Reflected

2012

2013

  • Cher - Woman's World (22 July)

2019

  • Whiteroom - The Whiteroom (18 January)[51]
  • Rat City - Kind of Love (5 April)[52]

2021

  • Segiri - Undone (27 October)[53]

References edit

  1. ^ "DJ Mag Top 100 DJs 2012". Archived from the original on 2 April 2013.
  2. ^ "DJ Mag Top 100 DJs 2011". Archived from the original on 4 April 2013.
  3. ^ "DJ Mag Top 100 DJs 2010". Archived from the original on 9 April 2013.
  4. ^ "DJ Mag Top 100 DJs 2009". Archived from the original on 2 April 2013.
  5. ^ "tyDi: SIGNS TO REPUBLIC RECORDS + Nothing Really Matters". Republicrecords.com. Archived from the original on 20 October 2014. Retrieved 16 October 2014.
  6. ^ "Interview with tyDi about his album 'Hotel Rooms'". 7 December 2013. Archived from the original on 7 December 2013. Retrieved 27 August 2020.
  7. ^ "tyDi". Facebook.com. Archived from the original on 9 January 2016. Retrieved 7 December 2015.
  8. ^ a b "Music Plus - USA Dance Airplay - Week 15/2015 (05-11 Apr) Charts". Archived from the original on 12 December 2015. Retrieved 11 May 2015.
  9. ^ "Dance/Mix Show Airplay Chart". Billboard.com. 24 January 2013. Archived from the original on 7 April 2020. Retrieved 6 April 2020.
  10. ^ "#1 @tyDi @MELANIEFONTANA Redefined #bpmTop51". Twitter.com. 31 December 2015.
  11. ^ a b c "Interview - DJ Interview - tyDi (Australia)". Indoclubbing.com. Archived from the original on 6 April 2020. Retrieved 6 April 2020.
  12. ^ "Artist of the Week: tyDi". Armadamusic.com. Archived from the original on 6 April 2020.
  13. ^ "Aspire to Inspire 092: tyDi". Your EDM. 27 October 2015. Archived from the original on 29 December 2015. Retrieved 7 December 2015.
  14. ^ a b "Music Review: tyDi - Shooting Stars". Talkingreviews.blogspot.com.au. 15 August 2011. Archived from the original on 27 May 2014. Retrieved 5 August 2013.
  15. ^ "inthemix Interview". Archived from the original on 22 December 2008. Retrieved 13 February 2009.
  16. ^ "The Technics InThe Mix 50". Archived from the original on 26 March 2009.
  17. ^ "InThe Mix 50". Archived from the original on 24 July 2008.
  18. ^ "Sony InThe Mix 50". 31 October 2018. Archived from the original on 23 August 2008.
  19. ^ "tyDi | TheAudioDB.com". theaudiodb.com. Archived from the original on 13 August 2023. Retrieved 24 August 2022.
  20. ^ "tyDi - Look Closer". Archived from the original on 5 August 2013.
  21. ^ "tyDi - Look Closer". Trance.nu. Archived from the original on 12 July 2009.
  22. ^ "Sony InThe Mix Top 50". Archived from the original on 10 June 2011.
  23. ^ a b "tyDi wins IDMA for 'Best-Breakthrough DJ'". Armanda Music. 26 March 2010. Archived from the original on 20 February 2016.
  24. ^ "25TH ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL DANCE MUSIC AWARDS NOMINEES AND WINNERS". Wintermusicconference.com. Archived from the original on 8 March 2016.
  25. ^ "Tydi: Shooting Stars". Beat.com. 20 September 2011. Archived from the original on 6 April 2020. Retrieved 6 April 2020.
  26. ^ "NEW BT Album: "A Song Across Wires", to be released August 16, 2013". Undernyc.com. Archived from the original on 12 June 2013. Retrieved 1 June 2013.
  27. ^ "tyDi - "The Closer I Get" (Feat. Chris Carrabba) song premiere". Altpress.com. 17 September 2014. Archived from the original on 24 September 2014. Retrieved 29 September 2014.
  28. ^ "Interview: TyDi Reflects About His Career and New Album "ReDefined"". Youredm.com. 1 October 2014. Archived from the original on 6 April 2020. Retrieved 6 April 2020.
  29. ^ "Yesterday I made a promise to all my 'Trance' fans on Facebook that I would finally make a Trance EP & donate all money to children in need". Twitter.com. 20 November 2014. Archived from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 29 December 2014.
  30. ^ "On Your Mind by Wish I Was". Music.apple.com. Archived from the original on 7 April 2020. Retrieved 6 April 2020.
  31. ^ "Christopher Tin". Recording Academy Grammy Awards. 15 February 2019.
  32. ^ "TYDI TALKS THE TRUTH ABOUT UPCOMING DISNEY PROJECT". Edm.com. Archived from the original on 20 September 2018. Retrieved 19 September 2018.
  33. ^ "2008 inthemix50 results – a new #1 is crowned!". Inthemix.junkee.com. 31 October 2018. Archived from the original on 20 August 2016.
  34. ^ "A Farewell From inthemix: Thanks For All The Memories". Junkee.com. 31 October 2018. Archived from the original on 2 June 2007. Retrieved 6 April 2020.
  35. ^ "AEL Awards showcase top alumni". Griffith University. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 26 October 2015.
  36. ^ "tyDi". SoundCloud.com. Archived from the original on 13 August 2023. Retrieved 16 October 2014.
  37. ^ "TyDi lines up superstar guests for Global Soundsystem #50". 31 October 2018. Archived from the original on 27 May 2014.
  38. ^ "The World Below (Inspired by 'the Outlaw Ocean' a book by Ian Urbina) - EP by tyDi & Ian Urbina on Apple Music". Apple Music. Retrieved 7 May 2020.
  39. ^ Gilmore, Grant (22 June 2018). "Tydi Collabs With Kundo and London Thor on "Please Stay"". EDM Identity. Archived from the original on 24 June 2018. Retrieved 24 June 2018.
  40. ^ Sweeney, Farrell (28 July 2018). "TyDi talks going back to his roots with new release 'It Will Be Okay'". Dancing Astronaut. Archived from the original on 29 July 2018. Retrieved 29 July 2018.
  41. ^ "Let Go - Single by tyDi & London Thor on Apple Music". iTunes Store. 12 October 2018. Archived from the original on 17 October 2018. Retrieved 17 October 2018.
  42. ^ "Say the Word - Single by tyDi & JES on iTunes". iTunes Store. 7 December 2018. Archived from the original on 18 December 2018. Retrieved 17 December 2018.
  43. ^ "Fading - Single by tyDi on Apple Music". iTunes Store. 8 March 2019. Archived from the original on 13 August 2023. Retrieved 13 March 2019.
  44. ^ "It's Always Now - Single by tyDi & Matt Fax on Apple Music". iTunes Store. Archived from the original on 16 March 2021. Retrieved 24 June 2019.
  45. ^ "I Wanna Believe - Single by tyDi on Apple Music". iTunes Store. Archived from the original on 22 March 2020. Retrieved 22 March 2020.
  46. ^ "Start Again - Single by tyDi, Wish I Was & Brennley Brown on Apple Music". Apple Music. Archived from the original on 13 August 2023. Retrieved 26 May 2020.
  47. ^ Carlos Gonzalez, Juan (30 October 2020). "TyDi releases uplifting and infectious new single, 'Fool For You'". EDM Tunes. Archived from the original on 11 November 2020. Retrieved 11 November 2020.
  48. ^ "Feelin' Right - Single by tyDi, Peytn & Bella Renee on Apple Music". Apple Music. Archived from the original on 13 August 2023. Retrieved 28 May 2021.
  49. ^ "Tear Me Down (feat. Trey Rose) - Single by tyDi on Apple Music". Apple Music. Archived from the original on 8 September 2021. Retrieved 8 September 2021.
  50. ^ "Just Believe - Single by tyDi & JES on Apple Music". Apple Music. Archived from the original on 2 March 2022. Retrieved 2 March 2022.
  51. ^ "The Whiteroom (Tydi Remix) - Single by Whiteroom on Apple Music". iTunes Store. Archived from the original on 25 January 2019. Retrieved 25 January 2018.
  52. ^ "Kind of Love (TyDi Remix) [feat. Isak Heim] - Single by Rat City on Apple Music". iTunes Store. Retrieved 8 June 2019.
  53. ^ "Undone (tyDi Remix) - Single by Segiri on Apple Music". Apple Music. Archived from the original on 19 December 2021. Retrieved 20 December 2021.

External links edit

  • tyDi official site
  • youtube.com/tyDiTV - tyDi on YouTube
  • discogs.com - Discography
  • TranceIsLife.com - tyDi on TranceIsLife.com
  • soundcloud.com - Wish I Was on SoundCloud