Tomo in der Mühlen is an internationally successful DJ, music producer and entrepreneur recognizable for his work in New York and Zagreb. He became known to a wider audience in Croatia only after he appeared as a member of the jury of the popular TV show your face sounds familiar, where he attracted attention with his distinctive appearance and charm. Below we present a detailed biography of this versatile artist and businessman – from his early days and education, through a rich musical career and international projects, to family life and current engagements.
Tomo in der Mühlen performs live with an electric guitar and a recognizable mohawk hairstyle. its unconventional image (high Iroquois hairstyle and casual style) became part of his trademark in front of the cameras. Precisely because of this charisma and different style, he stands out from others – the audience remembers him for his unique appearance that he brought to television screens. thanks to that personal seal, won the sympathy of the viewer and significantly increased the public interest in the projects in which he appeared.
Early life and beginnings of career
Tomo Johannes in der Mühlen was born in a German city Braunschweig, in the family of architects of mixed origin – father Johannes Wilhelm in der Mühlen is German, and mother Stana Kovačić is Croatian. He related his education to Zagreb: he attended Zagreb’s XV. gymnasium (MIOC)and then studied mathematics at Faculty of Science and Mathematics University of Zagreb.
Since he also possessed technical skills, he started his career as a computer animation designer and coder on a popular TV quiz Kviskoteka in the late 1980s. He soon devoted himself to music: 1985 to 1990. He was a partner with Vladimir Smolec in Zagreb’s sim study, where they produced numerous albums of famous Yugoslav artists. In parallel, from 1987 to 1992. Tomo led the iconic Zagreb club Kulušić, organizing concerts by innovative musicians. For example, it was he who managed to bring the famous American band pixies At their first performance in Croatia, held in Kulušić at that time.
Music career and international success
Over time, Tomo in der Mühlen built an enviable international career. In 1988 He founded the company IDM Music for music publishing and copyright management, which moved from Europe to New York in 1992 and teamed up with the business of his wife Miriam. Through IDM Music, they achieved world-level collaborations – music from their production appeared in Quentin Tarantino’s Hollywood films (for example Kill Bill, Inglourious basterds, Django Unchained) as well as in hit movies Silver Linings Playbook (In good and bad) and American Hustle (American cheater) ). Also, they worked on music for cult titles such as film good guys (Goodfellas) of that series The Soprano family. IDM Music licenses music for advertisements And he collaborates with big world brands (e.g. Microsoft, Dolce & Gabbana, Miller), and Tomo has produced music with the company for television companies and operators such as RTL, Nova TV, Vipnet and others.
As a producer, Tomo collaborated with many famous musicians and bands of various genres. Since the 1980s, he has worked on the albums of rock groups of the former Yugoslavia – Blue Orchestra, Steamroller, Ekatarina Velika, haustor, Cacadou look and others. Later, he also collaborated with international stars, for example with American hip-hop performers ace masta and Styles P. His wide range of work also includes unusual projects: he made music for the theater (for example, for plays A summer night’s dream and Titus Andronicus in collaboration with actor and director Rado Šerbedžija) and participated in programs such as Dubrovnik Summer Games. Over the years, he also collaborated with many other distinguished artists, from actors and musicians Harold Perrineau to the guitarist Vernon Reid, thus gaining the reputation of an innovative producer on the international stage.
Television career and popularity
Although behind the scenes he was active for a long time, Popularity among the audience he only acquired In 2014 When he first appeared on television. He became a member of the jury of the entertainment show your face sounds familiar to Nova TV and immediately attracted the attention of the viewer with his witty comments and unconventional style. In the first season, he shared the refereeing table with opera giant Sandra Bagarić, with whom he developed great dynamics. The two soon became a recognizable tandem of the show – they got closer on the first day and continued to have a great time together even when the cameras went out. As a member of the jury, Tomo participated in the first four seasons your face sounds familiar, thus conveying his professional experience to the TV audience.
Interestingly, at first he did not plan to be in front of the cameras – he worked in the production team of the show, but creative producer Gordana Čorapina Kojundžić and Nova TV production manager Sanja Tucman proposed him as a member of the jury, recognizing his many years of experience in entertainment. industry. Tomo did a great job in that role and conquered the spectators, and stayed in the ‘hot chair’ of the jury for four consecutive seasons.
In addition to the aforementioned show, In der Mühlen also got involved in other television projects. He acted as music producer behind the cameras in competition shows The Voice Croatia and Supertalent Croatia, contributing to their success with their expertise. His name is thus linked to supertalent, although he did not formally sit at the judge’s desk of that show (he worked on music production of the 4th and 5th seasons). Thanks to engagements in more popular formats, Tomo has strengthened the status of a favorite TV personality among viewers.
Television projects:
- your face sounds familiar (Nova TV) – Jury member (seasons 1–4)
- The Voice Croatia (HRT) – Executive music producer (seasons 1–2)
- Supertalent Croatia (Nova TV) – music producer (seasons 4–5)
private life and family
Relatively little was known about Tom in der Mühlen in private until recently, although his life story is extremely interesting. He comes from a multicultural family – his parents are architects, his father is German and his mother is Croatian. Tomo is happily married and a dedicated family man. wife Miriam Westercappel, an entrepreneur in the music industry, a native of Suriname, met long ago 1987. at the Mesam Music Festival in Belgrade. Miriam was working on a UNICEF project at the time, and Tomo as a festival producer – he immediately noticed an exotic girl in the crowd who stood out in appearance. Love was born from business cooperation; Miriam moved to Croatia because of that love In 1992, despite the fact that the war was raging here then. Today they have two daughters together, Tarr and Maya, who grew up in a truly international environment.
During more than two decades of living together, Tomo and his wife lived in many world capitals, and they stayed the longest in New York. After 2001. They decided that they would still build their home in Croatia – as they say, Croatia offered them an ideal balance of a dynamic Western world and a pleasant family life. In 2003 They returned from New York and settled in Zagreb, wanting their children to grow up away from the stress and insecurity they felt after the attacks of September 11, 2001. In der Mühlens point out that Croats are a people who highly value the family, which was an additional motive to settle down right here. They consider themselves a right multicultural family And they say that their home is where their heart is – in their case, it is Croatia, where they found peace and happiness for their children.
In addition to music, Tomo has other passions. He is a fan of adrenaline sports – he points out that he surfing On sea waves, the only activity that completely relaxes and ‘charges batteries’ between business obligations. He also actively engages in water sports and is happy to spend time in nature when his schedule allows it. It is also known that the In der Mühlen family likes to travel; Although their base is in Zagreb, they are often on the Europa-USA route and try to make the best of both continents in their way of life.
Conclusion
Tomo in der Mühlen is an example of a person who successfully combined musical creativity and Entrepreneurial spirit. Today, he continues to work tirelessly on the regional and world music scene. He performs regularly under a stage name Tomo Raw as a DJ and live electronic music performer, and he shared the stage with reputable names of the techno scene and performed at festivals such as Ultra Europe, Sonus and Amsterdam Dance Event. Of 2019 He also works as a creative director and resident DJ club Steel in Rovinj, and 2022. has launched his own record company Raw Industries Berlin, focused on innovative live techno music.
Through a career that unites continents and genres, Tomo in der Mühlen has built a unique reputation as a visionary and mentor in the music industry. His story inspires many young musicians, showing how dedication to music and willingness to take risks can join together in a globally successful venture. If you are a fan of electronic music or TV talent shows, Tomo In der Mühlen is a name worth following – With his energy and ideas, he will certainly contribute to the regional and world scene for years.
Inclusive, Tomo in der Mühlen remains true to his philosophy of combining different cultures and styles. From computer animation engineers to world-renowned DJs, from New York clubs to Croatian TV screens, his path is characterized by passion, innovation and persistence. His success is not only reflected in international projects, but also in a positive influence on Croatian popular culture – as a DJ, producer and Jury member, Tomo continues to push boundaries and inspire a new generation of talented artists.
Cover photo: Korowabar, CC BY-SA 4.0, Via Wikimedia Commons
