Tom Staar (Ingo): The Evolution of a Hard House Pioneer
In this episode of When I Grow Up, host Paul Glazby reconnects with an old friend and legendary producer Tom Starr, known to many in the scene as Ingo, one of the driving forces behind the unmistakable sound of early 2000s hard house. For the first time in over two decades, the two sit down to reminisce, reflect, and rediscover the wild stories and shared history that helped define an era of electronic music.
Paul and Tom take listeners back to their early days producing classics like Rough and Tough, Kick It, and Beautiful, and touring together across the UK, Australia, and New Zealand. From chaotic Gatecrasher gigs and infamous boat trips gone wrong to studio sessions that shaped the hard house sound, it’s an unfiltered, hilarious, and heartfelt conversation between two veterans of the scene.
The episode delves deep into Tom's journey since those early years, from his evolution into Tom Staar, an international DJ and producer touring the world’s biggest clubs, to his current life in Ibiza, where he has built a 12-room creative villa with multiple studios under his new brand, Star Player. Tom discusses how collaboration, mentorship, and artistic integrity have become central to his mission to reshape the modern music industry, one that too often forgets the creators at its core.
The conversation also touches on the resurgence of the hard house sound, with today’s producers, such as Hannah Laing and Sarah Landry, bringing the genre full circle. Paul and Tom marvel at how tracks they created over 20 years ago are finding new life on modern dance floors, inspiring a new generation of DJs and ravers.
It's equal parts nostalgia and forward momentum, a reminder of how far the music has come and how its legacy continues to evolve.
Tune in for laughter, memories, and genuine insight from two of the scene's greats, and stay tuned, because When I Grow Up is about to enter a new chapter.
We’ll be undergoing a rebrand moving forward, and the podcast will soon be known as Hard House History.
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#WhenIGrowUpPodcast #HardHouseHistory #PaulGlazby #TomStarr #Ingo #HardHouseLegends #UKHardHouse #DanceMusicPodcast #IbizaProducers #ElectronicMusicHistory