Legendary German DJ and producer Thomas Bruckner, also known as Tomcraft, best known for his chart-topping hit ‘Loneliness’, has passed away at the age of 49. His death was confirmed by his family yesterday (16th of July) via his Instagram. The post stated that he died on Monday the 15th of July 2024.
“With a heavy heart we need to inform you that yesterday, the 15.07.2024, our beloved father and husband has passed away.
We will forever carry you in our hearts and love you until we’re reunited again. Sincerely, your family.” The cause of his death has not been given.
The Munich-born DJ and Producer posted on his Instagram just 3 days ago recapping the set he played at Steinbruch Open Air festival. Many of Bruckner’s friends and fellow DJs have paid tribute to the German including DJ Sash who said “I just can not believe it. He seemed to be so healthy. We shared so many stages together the last couple of months. RIP Thoma s Tomcraft.”
Tomcraft, who’s real name was Thomas Bruckner, was a German DJ and Producer from Munich who specialised in progressive house and progressive trance music. He began working as a DJ in Munich in 1994 at the age of 19, playing techno and progressive trance music. He played his first major gigs at the technoparade, Union Move, in Munich in 1995. Later that year he released his first track, ‘This Is No House’.
In 1996 he met German producer Eniac who would go on to be his long-time collaborator. The two started making music together straight away, co-producing ‘Viva’, the first of many track the pair would produce together. That same year the two came out with the track ‘Prosac’ which would go on to be a hit when it was re-released in 2001. The two worked together as a studio team for the next decade, releasing many tracks on Kosmo Records among others.
In 2002, Tomcraft released the hit ‘Loneliness’, which was co-produced by Eniac, and ‘Loneliness’ reached number 1 on the UK Singles Chart. The success of this track massively boosted Tomcraft’s career. He then went on to release four albums across the next four years as well as regularly releasing singles including ‘Prozac’ and ‘Overdose’, which became big club tracks.
In 2005 Bruckner launched Craft music, a new outlet for all of his productions. All the other releases on the label were given a remix by Tomcraft himself. The label underwent a massive relaunch in 2010 to bring it back to the forefront of house and techno music. The label released music from artists which included Spektre and Jimmy Pop.
Over the years Tomcraft had many musical highlights when it came to playing live including playing to 1.3 million people at Berlin’s Love Parade in 2003 as well as playing at Japan’s Fuji Rock festival and festivals in Brazil.
