Tommy Leas, better known as PLS&TY, has become a familiar DJ/producer to many over the past decade. Appreciated for his feel-good future bass sound with tracks like 2023’s “Your Love” (feat. Sofiya Nzau) and 2024’s “Just One Touch” (feat. Linney), PLS&TY (pronounced “please and thank you”) recently released his latest melodic effort, Into The Light, a well-crafted, three-track EP on Dim Mak Records
By this stage of his career, Leas has become a chart-topping artist that has amassed hundreds of millions of streams across DSPs – and let’s not forget his feature in a Hershey’s commercial, which has garnered over 1 billion views. When it comes to his very own tunes, PLS&TY’s music has been remixed by the likes of the Grammy-nominated Morgan Page, plus Rusko, Cazzette, Cat Dealers, and Bondax, among others.
PLS&TY’s tour history includes stops at some of the most acclaimed events and festivals within the circuit, including Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival, Electric Forest, Breakaway Music Festival, and more. Most recently, he played the Forest House stage at Electric Daisy Carnival in Las Vegas this past May.
We caught up with the 28-year-old Florida native, Tommy Leas, to discuss the new EP, earliest musical influences, who inspires him most today, how he got his start as a DJ and a producer, his gear preferences, and more.
DJ LIFE: How did you get your start as a DJ?
PLS&TY: I started by making mixes for friends, whether it be to listen to in the car on the way to shows of other artists or to listen to at the beach. It was all about sharing the music I loved in ways that could bring people together. I wasn’t thinking about performing at the time; it was just pure passion for curating the perfect vibe for any occasion. Eventually, those mixes turned into live sets.
DJ LIFE: What comprised your first DJ set-up? How about your current DJ gear?
PLS&TY: My first DJ set-up consisted of a Native Instruments Traktor S4 controller and a laptop. I loved the flexibility Traktor offered, especially for layering a cappellas and stems. Now, my setup is the industry-standard Pioneer CDJ-3000s and a DJM-900NXS2 mixer.
DJ LIFE: Did you get your start as a DJ or producer? Do you prefer one to the other?
PLS&TY: DJing! Production came about naturally thereafter, from an eagerness to become a well-rounded artist and play my own music in a live setting.
DJ LIFE: Who were some of your earliest musical influences? Who inspires you most now and why?
PLS&TY: Some of my earliest musical influences were artists like Flume, Lido, and Wave Racer. They completely shifted my perspective on what electronic music could be, blending catchy melodies with experimental sound design in such a fresh way. These days, I’ve been drawing inspiration from a range of genres and artists. Brazilian artists Antdot and Maz are ones to watch. They have this ability to create a sound that feels so unique, but incredibly personal, mixing electronic production with natural, live instrumentation.
DJ LIFE: Do you have a process in the studio?
PLS&TY: I don’t truly have a set creative process. Often, inspiration comes to me out of the blue. It’s in those moments where something randomly sparks that I jump on and start working on the idea.
DJ LIFE: Can you share a bit about how you got your production start and what your studio set-up was like?
PLS&TY: In the beginning, my production set-up consisted of just a laptop, monitors, and a MIDI keyboard. Back in 2014, when the PLS&TY project first started, I started out by remixing classic R&B and hip-hop tracks like Outkast’s “Roses” and Nelly Furtado’s “Promiscuous.” I developed a unique workflow by building entirely original instrumentation around a cappellas, which really shaped my approach to production and performance. Even as I transitioned into releasing original music, that same method carried over, as vocals have always been the centerpiece of my work and continue to drive the emotion and structure in all my tracks.
DJ LIFE: What’s your DAW now? Some of your go-to plug-ins, software, hardware, etc.?
PLS&TY: My DAW is Ableton Live, and my go-to plug-ins right now are Waves SSL E-Channel, Soundtoys Little AlterBoy, SPL Vitalizer, A.O.M. Stereo Imager, Xfer Records LFO Tool, and XNL Audio RC-20 Retro Color.
DJ LIFE: Do you have any pre-show routines or rituals?
PLS&TY: I don’t have an exact pre-show routine. It’s more about surrounding myself with people who bring positivity and the right type of energy. As long as I find myself surrounded by good vibes, I’m ready to go.
DJ LIFE: Your newest EP, “Into The Light,” was just released through Dim Mak. What can you share with us about the project?
PLS&TY: “Into The Light” is an emotional reflection of the human experience, and that’s something I really wanted to capture throughout the EP. Each track speaks to moments we all encounter – whether it’s heartbreak, uncertainty, or the enduring power of love and connection.
DJ LIFE: And your process of putting it together?
PLS&TY: The creative process was about tapping into these universal emotions, making something that people could truly relate to. I want listeners to feel like they’re not alone in their struggles. This EP is for anyone who’s ever needed a reminder that the light is still there, even in dark times – it’s just waiting for you to find it and step into it. Every song on this project represents that journey of moving from darkness into something brighter, and I hope it resonates with people on that deeper level.
DJ LIFE: How long were you working on this EP and how did you go about choosing which cuts would make the tracklist?
PLS&TY: I spent about a year working on “Into The Light.” When it came to choosing which tracks would make the final tracklist, I focused on how each song contributed to the overall narrative of the EP. Every track represents a part of that journey from darkness into light.
DJ LIFE: As a touring artist, which of your recent shows stand out most to you and why?
PLS&TY: All of my recent headline shows have been exceptional, but what really stands out to me is the connection I’ve had with the fans. I’ve had people in the crowd holding up their phone with my entire discography saved on Spotify, waiting until the end of the show just to have a moment and tell me how much the music means to them. These personal interactions are moments I’ll never forget.
DJ LIFE: Looking back on your career thus far, have you had any gig horror stories?
PLS&TY: Electric Forest 2019, in Michigan I realized my USB had completely corrupted the song files – nothing would load properly. I had to scramble to find any track that would actually play, piecing together whatever I could find.
DJ LIFE: What are some things on your bucket list? Short-term and long-term goals for PLS&TY?
PLS&TY: Quite simply: More live shows, more music, and more lifelong memories. I want to keep traveling the world, connecting with fans, and experiencing new places through music. I want to leave a lasting impact with the music I create. Hopefully, my music will resonate with people for years to come.