Tom Collins

Tom Collins

Tom Collins is a Danish DJ and booker associated with breakbeat, electro, techno, house, dubstep, glitch, tech-house and related club styles. His real name is Mads Niklas Fredrik Lerager, and he is born in 1974. The verified note identifies him as a saxophonist.

DJ work

He starts DJing in 1996 and becomes closely linked with breakbeat in the Danish club scene. His sets combine breaks with electro, house, techno and funk-influenced material, and he also mixes in sounds from television, films and everyday life. He is described as working with a style that draws on what fits a room, what he personally likes and what provides surprise. He uses the alias Deckstar on BreaksFM.

His early career moves from small underground clubs to large rave events. He plays alongside artists including Erick Morillo, Roger Sanchez, Adam Freeland, Pete Tong, Sander Kleinenberg, Frank Lorber, Rune RK and T.O.M. & Trentemøller. He also supports The Prodigy on Scandinavian dates in 2005.

Competitions and radio

In 2004 he wins the Thirst competition in Denmark, a contest run by Heineken across 35 countries. He is presented as the best technical DJ in Denmark by the judges. He also has a regular radio show on BreaksFM, a breakbeat station based in South London.

Club and festival work

Outside DJing, he works as a booker and as an organiser in Copenhagen. He books the electro club KAT and is involved with the annual Copenhagen club festival Distortion. He later works freelance. He also starts a series of breaks club nights in Copenhagen with Lewis Colston, with guests including Adam Freeland, Stanton Warriors, DJ Deekline, DJ Assault, Skream and Chef.

Style and scene

His work sits within the Danish club scene and is described as drawing from breaks while extending into a broader mix of electro, techno and other dance styles. He is associated with techno-funk and with a performance approach based on technical control and track selection.