Influences: Tommy Phillips on the Records That Shaped His House Sound

Tommy Phillips

Every artist carries a blueprint.

For Tommy Phillips, that blueprint is built from warmth, restraint and a deep respect for house music’s emotional core. His rise has been fast, but the thinking behind his sound feels grounded and deliberate.

Drawing from early Chicago house, vocal-driven classics and modern club records that favour control over chaos, Tommy has developed a style that balances feeling with function. It is a sound that works in intimate rooms and on big systems, without ever forcing the moment.

Fresh from a run of breakout releases, international touring and significant industry support, Tommy looks back on five records that shaped how he hears, produces and plays music today.

Each one left a mark, not through excess, but through clarity.

MK – ‘Burning’ (MK Vocal Mix)

“This record was a huge moment for me in understanding what house music could be emotionally. I first heard Burning at my first festival when I was around 19, and it changed me forever, haha. It felt warm, soulful, and timeless, but still incredibly effective on a dancefloor. There is something so simple about it, yet everything sits perfectly where it needs to be.

What really influenced me was the cuts MK used in the vocals. It taught me that you do not need to overcomplicate things to create impact. That idea has stayed with me throughout my journey. Burning showed me that house music can be functional and full of feeling at the same time, and that balance has shaped a lot of how I approach both production and DJing.”

Hot Natured – ‘Different Sides’

“Different Sides was one of those tracks that really shifted how I viewed modern house music. When it came out, it felt fresh but still rooted in the underground.

What influenced me most was the restraint. There are no obvious drops or tricks, just a rolling groove that slowly takes control of the room. It made me realise that confidence in a simple idea can be far more effective than constantly trying to do too much. That mindset has followed me into my own productions, where I focus on feel, movement, and creating a flow that keeps people locked in rather than chasing instant reactions.”

deadmau5 & Kaskade – ‘I Remember’

“This track means a lot to me on a personal level. I Remember was one of the first records that showed me electronic music could be emotional without losing its impact. I remember listening to it repeatedly when I was starting to take production more seriously, paying attention to how the atmosphere and the vocals worked together.

That influence stayed with me for years, and later on, I ended up remixing the track myself, which was a surreal full-circle moment. It reinforced how much this record shaped my understanding of dynamics, emotion, and storytelling in dance music. It helped define the direction I wanted to go in as an artist, where feeling and energy exist side by side.”

Read Next: Influences: Rob Pearson shares the tracks that shaped his sound

Quentin Harris – ‘My Joy’ (feat. Margaret Grace)

“My Joy taught me a lot about the soul of house music. The first time I really connected with it, it felt honest and uplifting without trying too hard. The groove is steady and warm, and the vocal carries a genuinely positive energy that feels timeless.

What influenced me most was how natural everything feels. There is no rush, no pressure to impress, just a strong groove and a feeling that resonates. That balance between warmth and function has played a big role in how I think about vocals and melody in my own music. It pushed me to trust feeling over complexity and focus on making music that comes from a real place.”

Paul Woolford – ‘Story of My Life’

“Story of My Life had a big impact on how I understand groove and tension. The bassline just rolls endlessly. Hearing this track in a club for the first time in like 2018 really showed me how repetition, when done right, can be incredibly powerful.

What stuck with me was the discipline in the arrangement. Nothing feels unnecessary, and every element serves the movement of the track. That approach has heavily influenced how I structure my productions and DJ sets. It reinforced the idea that you do not need gimmicks or constant changes to control a room, just a strong foundation.”

Five records.

Five lessons in balance, patience and intent.

Together, they form the foundations of a sound that feels confident without shouting and emotional without losing control.

Tommy Phillips

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