It’s not every day that someone quits a promising career in banking to pursue a career in music, especially in this economy. But for Thomas “Tommie” Tsiamis, music is what lights up his soul.
The Greek Herald spoke to Tommie about his story.
“My birth name is Thomas, but I never felt it suited my character, which is why everyone has always called me Tommie,” he says.
Born in 1997 in Newtown, Sydney, Tommie’s parents ran a family business established by his maternal grandfather, Louie (also known as “Illia”) Vellios.
“When I was 12 years old, my grandfather sadly passed away from brain cancer. Following this, the family made the decision to sell the business and move back to Sydney. At that point, my father returned to the hospitality industry—an industry he had grown up in. My paternal grandfather ran a takeaway shop at Flemington Markets called Café Tom’s, which had been operating since 1986,” he says.
Tommie attended primary school at St Mary’s Star of the Sea in Hurstville before being accepted into Marist College Kogarah in 2010.
“Marist was a school that focused heavily on shaping young men—emphasising respect, honour, mateship, and becoming the best version of yourself. It was also where I developed a strong network of lifelong friends. Interestingly, many of them were Greek, which reflected the large Greek population in Kogarah and the surrounding areas.”
Throughout school, Tommie played rugby league, volleyball, and touch football, and at ages 15–16 he represented the St George Dragons in rugby league.
“The team was made up of players from mixed nationalities, with only two out of the 21 players being of Greek heritage.”
Tommie feels deeply connected to his homeland and travels back every few years.
“I’m deeply in love with Athens—the ‘concrete city’—its people, its food, and its culture. Being there makes me feel truly at home.”
He also experiences that same feeling when he travels to Kos and stays at his yiayia’s apartment in Zipari. His favourite islands are Symi, Kalymnos, and Mykonos.
“I love Symi for its beaches and natural beauty, Kalymnos for its rugged landscape and the Monastery of Agios Savvas (Saint Savvas), and Mykonos for its unmatched energy. As one of the most popular party destinations in the world, Mykonos is home to some of the best clubs globally, and it’s a place where I aspire to play regularly in the future.”
Speaking of music, Tommie grew up in a household that valued music as much as breathing. It was part of his everyday life—playing while his parents cooked, cleaned, and relaxed in the backyard.
“My parents also loved hosting parties and events where family and friends could come together to enjoy each other’s company, drink into the early hours of the morning, and dance to their favourite music. The genres most commonly played in our home included Greek music, house music, ’80s funk, and early 2000s NRG and trance.”
At 15, Tommie convinced his dad to buy him his first DJ deck—and the rest is history. He has now been DJing for 13 years and has no desire to slow down.
“I want this to be my life’s work: bringing people together to dance, enjoy each other’s company, smile, let go of everyday stresses, and, most importantly, enjoy the music. There is nothing more rewarding than seeing a crowd dancing together and genuinely enjoying themselves. Music beats any drug—it’s the most addictive form of happiness, in my opinion.”
From ages 16 to 23, Tommie focused primarily on private community events such as birthdays, engagements, and social gatherings.
“From 23 onwards, I shifted my focus to clubs and public venues, steadily building my presence within Sydney’s nightlife scene. I still DJ at private events and enjoy them just as much as when I first started.”
Alongside his personal DJ career, Tommie runs his own premium entertainment and events agency.
The move to music wasn’t linear and didn’t happen overnight.
“From the age of 20, I worked in the banking industry for a total of eight years with Westpac. I began my career in branch roles before moving into the corporate side of the business as a Home Finance Manager. During this time, I built strong professional networks and gained valuable experience that I genuinely enjoyed.”
As his music career continued to grow, Tommie was offered weekly DJ residencies across multiple venues.
“At the same time, I saw real potential to expand my entertainment company and take full ownership of my career. That combination gave me the confidence to make the leap and pursue DJing and music production full-time.”
Tommie hasn’t looked back since that leap of faith.
He draws inspiration from a wide range of artists within the house music genre, including ANOTR, Franky Rizardo, Josh Butler, Dom Dolla, and Calvin Harris.
“My parents also inspired me from a young age not to be scared of what other people think of me. They are always at the forefront of my mind when conducting business and when I’m on stage.”
Tommie has big dreams for the future.
He sees himself as a successful international touring DJ.
“Alongside this, I envision building a thriving entertainment business that allows me to provide for my family and future wife, travel frequently, raise my children in a comfortable and supportive environment, own my own home, build additional investments, and continue living life the way it should be lived—with love, fun, and passion.”
Future goals also include helping bridge the gap between Australia and other international destinations by strengthening relationships with overseas markets.
“My goal is to create opportunities for Australian artists to perform internationally, giving them the chance to play on a global stage and grow their love for music and the industry, just as I have.”
Key international destinations Tommie is passionate about include Ibiza, Mykonos, the United States, and Bali—places with strong cultures centred around music, events, and living life to the fullest.
“Of course, I also aim to be in Greece every year, staying closely connected to my cultural roots and community while sharing my passion for music and entertainment there as well.”
“Hopefully, I inspire people to step out of their comfort zones and follow their dreams. I also hope to preserve and strengthen our culture and our love for Greece and our heritage within the community. Being Greek is an indescribable feeling that I thank God for every day!”
