Written In Partnership with Trillest Ent
Photo Credit: James Hickey
The Las Vegas-based multimillionaire entrepreneur-turned-DJ, Tim Clark, is not average at anything. One could argue that the successful businessman-turned-music producer attacks every goal he sets out to accomplish with a vengeance. Ask those who know him personally and it’s likely they will tell you he manifests his reality. It’s not just working hard and wishing a dream will come true; he actually manifests his reality.
A mere 24 months ago – while fully entrenched on the business battlefield running a tight-knit group of lucrative companies under the Tradebloc banner – Clark felt that his lifelong passion for music needed some serious tending. The music was calling him, and its pull could no longer be ignored. Flash forward to the current day and Tim Clark is an Electronic Dance Music Awards (EDMA) 2024 Best New Artist nominee; touring DJ on global EDM icon, Markus Schulz’s, ‘Rabbit Hole Circus’ tour; recording artist with releases via Coldharbour Recordings and Warner Music; and DJ on world stages including Electric Daisy Carnival (EDC) Las Vegas and Orlando, E11EVEN Miami, Avalon Hollywood, Melkweg Amsterdam and many others.
L.A. Weekly caught-up with Tim Clark in between shows for a glimpse into the makings of his secret sauce.
L.A. Weekly: There seems to be an abundant number of music-makers calling themselves DJs, these days. As a DJ, what makes you special and different from all the rest? What style/genre of music do you play?
Tim Clark: I’m a DJ first and producer second, not the other way around. I believe that the best DJ is the person who gives the audience the best experience. I believe I’m one of the best at track arrangement for a set. I’m very empathic and can read a crowd really well. I call my style, ‘underground mainstage.’
L.A. Weekly: Take us through a typical Tim Clark live DJ set. What’s that experience like? What is your particular calling-card in terms of the unique experience that draws audiences out to come see you?
Tim Clark: Ideally, I like a set that lasts an hour and 15 minutes. That allows me the time to take the audience through a journey of peaks and valleys. I play many different genres in my set, ranging from tech-house, progressive, trance, house, and even some rock and pop classics. My calling cards are my original productions. I have around 30 mastered originals at the moment, with 10 of them released and another 20 not yet released. I play within the 128 -132 BPM range, and of course, I play in key, usually ascending. I play very up-tempo and I don’t like to let the crowd off-the-hook until I drop it to the valleys.
L.A. Weekly: The big Las Vegas mega-clubs and casino properties consider Los Angeles to be a “local” crowd, geographically speaking. Do you agree with that assessment? Speaking as a Las Vegas resident, is there something that distinguishes the Las Vegas audience from that of L.A.?
Tim Clark: Las Vegas audiences go to the club to party. Los Angeles club-goers go to the club to listen to top-notch EDM performances. Truthfully, I don’t think [Las Vegas venues] think of Los Angeles at all. Vegas is very consumed with itself and making money.
L.A. Weekly: You’ve performed in L.A. recently — with German DJ/producer, Markus Schulz — at Avalon Hollywood, an historic venue. What was that like? What upcoming Los Angeles shows do you have coming-up?
Tim Clark: I played with Markus Schulz recently on his ongoing ‘The Rabbit Hole Circus Tour,’ and the Avalon Hollywood show was my favorite, to date! Because of inclement weather, an Insomniac show was canceled and their audience flooded into Avalon; the place was absolutely packed. I’m playing one-and-a-half hours at Avalon with Markus Schulz on New Year’s Eve and I’m extremely excited for this show.
L.A. Weekly: You’ve only been DJing for a relatively short period of time, which we understand is just under two years. Most live performers, DJs included, take years of touring and performing before they fully hone their craft. Do you feel you’ve come a long way since you started? What important lessons have you learned along-the-way?
Tim Clark: I went from being a DJ in my living room to my own [nightclub] residency in Las Vegas, Ultra Music Festival-week to EDC Las Vegas and EDC Orlando. I’ve been on a U.S. tour with the legend, Markus Schulz, and I’ve played the best nightclubs in the world including E11EVEN Miami, Avalon Hollywood and others. I’m nominated Best New Artist at the 2024 EDM Awards and more, so yes! I’d say I’ve come a long way in a short period of time. I’ve always been a quick-study in everything I do, so having an example like Markus Schulz sure does help. I’ve learned what it takes to perform at the highest levels.
L.A. Weekly: Contrary to your relatively short time in the music and entertainment industry, you have a vast career in the business world as a highly successful entrepreneur and businessman. By the looks of it, you’re especially keen at mathematics, computer coding and systems analysis. Is this an accurate assessment? If so, how does your math/coding/analytical expertise aid you in the arts? Do you find it difficult to switch from “left-brain” to “right-brain” and vice versa?
Tim Clark: The truth of the matter is, DJing and business are very similar. It’s not like I’m a poet, and because I’m an artist, I have no clue about business or vice versa. I believe in this profession you have to be a driven businessperson to succeed. You have to be a psychologist, in-depth with music arrangement and composition. Have technical expertise and also be creative. I believe this DJ thing is as much left-brain as it is right.
L.A. Weekly: What can music-lovers expect in the coming weeks and months from Tim Clark?
Tim Clark: After my first two releases on Coldharbour Recordings – “Oasis” and “Gateway” – which are still going strong, I’ll have my new singles released on Coldharbour. They’re really killer tracks that get a huge reaction when I play them out. The titles are “Secrets,” and then the big anthem, “Kernkraft 400.” I’m actually looking forward to releasing all of my tracks over the next year, with some being self-released, some on Coldharbour Recordings, and I’m currently in discussions with Paul Oakenfold for potential releases on his label, Perfecto Records. Radio stations throughout the U.S. and world will continue airing my weekly “Inspire Radio” weekly mixshow, which will feature not only my own productions but some of the best music I’m feeling right now from a variety of top-notch producers. I’ll be playing my “Tim Clark Experience” shows in Las Vegas when I’m not out on tour, and I’ll continue playing some of the best venues in the world during some of the biggest music festivals. I feel great and there’s no stopping!
Follow Tim Clark online:
Official: https://timclarklive.com/
Instagram: @TimClarkLive
Facebook: @TimClarkLiveFB
Spotify: @TimClarkLive
YouTube (main): @TimClarkLive
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