In loving memory of a sound engineer, father, and festival family member who made every moment count
The Australian electronic music community lost one of its brightest stars when Tom “Wasabi” Jones tragically passed away in a truck accident while returning home from Orin Aya Festival to his beloved children and mother. His legacy lives on through the countless lives he touched, the perfect sound he crafted, and the infectious joy he brought to every dancefloor.
A Moment of Magic at Orin Aya
I met Wasabi shortly before my closing set on the Orin Aya main stage, and the connection was instant. When I asked if he was the famous Wasabi, his characteristic grin lit up his face. Without hesitation, he jumped in to help me set up for my set, and we ended up jumping together during the performance – a spontaneous moment of pure festival magic.
The sound he had crafted for that stage was nothing short of perfect. You could feel that this was a master at work, someone who understood not just the technical aspects of audio engineering, but the soul of the music itself. When he told me afterward that he had enjoyed the music “on another level,” I remember thinking that coming from him, those words held immense value.
Before I left, we spoke and hugged, and I gave him a pink lady apple as a parting gift – a small gesture that now feels infinitely precious. That was Tom: someone who could turn a brief encounter into a meaningful connection, who brought warmth and authenticity to those he touched.
A Life Cut Short, A Legacy That Lives On
Tom was traveling home to his two adorable children, Danger (11) and Tea (4), and his loving mother, Catherine, when the accident occurred near Greenvale, two hours north of Charters Towers. His mother’s heartbreaking words capture the essence of who Tom was:
“My beautiful, creative, compassionate son Tom (Aka DJ Wasabi) was killed in a truck accident… He inherited his staunch commitment to community action from his Grandmother, Joan Croll, his inquisitive mind and intellect from his Grandfather, Frank Croll, his event management skills from me (?), and his passion for audio technology from his father, Brian Jones.”
The Sound of a Master
As a valued member of COMBAT WOMBAT and Bad Boys Batucada, Tom was an integral part of the Orin-Aya Festival family and a patient mentor to many aspiring artists. His technical expertise was matched only by his generous spirit and dedication to nurturing the next generation of electronic music creators.
Mel Severo beautifully captured Tom’s recent joy: “The set he played this weekend and the joy he was radiating from that stage was absolutely palpable… He was so pumped to have been back in that booth and excited to be making music again.”
A Father’s Love, A Community’s Heart
What made Tom truly special wasn’t just his technical brilliance – it was his role as a devoted single father. Sean Bradney-George recalled: “The way he always spoke of his children with such pride in his eyes and how he was with them in his presence was inspirational.”
In the days leading up to the festival, Tom had been gathering bubble solution and glycerine to blow massive bubbles at Orin Aya – a perfect example of how he brought childlike wonder to the serious business of sound engineering.
Tributes from the Electronic Music Family
The outpouring of love from the community reveals the depth of Tom’s impact:
John Hooves Clayton shared: “From idol to mentor, friend, and collaborator, he always radiated a light so strong and unique. He helped form who I am in a way that no one else has.”
Moses Iten remembered: “As DJ Wasabi, he had a profound influence in my early years as a fledgling DJ… humble and generous in his support, always a kind word and advice that meant a lot when I first started out.”
Rosie Carter spoke of Tom’s role as godfather: “For our baby shower, he gifted us his Kathmandu carrier – it’s such a privilege to see Kaleb carry our boy in the same carrier Wasabi once used for Danger on the dancefloors.”
The Art of Sound, The Heart of Community
Tom’s influence extended far beyond the technical realm. His work at Tetris Studios (later Rubix) and his collaboration with other artists created a lasting impact on Melbourne’s electronic music scene. As John Gillespie poignantly noted about meeting Tom as an 8-year-old: “even then felt his otherness, a tender and gentle boy sprouting tendrils of creative genius… Already determinedly following his muse’s direction to the mixing table.”
Digital Legacy and Continued Inspiration
Steve Chambers (MC Syphon) reflected on their musical partnership: “Tom, DJ Wasabi was an incredible performer, activist, and humanitarian. We were a total force playing together as MC Syphon and DJ Wasabi.” Their collaborative albums remain available at fortknightproductions.bandcamp.com as a testament to Tom’s creative output.
The Bubble Solution Recipe
In one of his final acts of generosity, Tom shared his secret bubble solution recipe – a fitting metaphor for how he approached life, always looking to create moments of magic and wonder for others. Friends are now planning to blow giant bubbles to the sky in his memory, carrying forward his spirit of playfulness and joy.
A Master’s Final Performance
Witnesses described Tom’s last performance at Orin Aya as transcendent. The joy radiating from the stage, the perfect sound he had crafted, and his genuine excitement to be making music again painted a picture of an artist at the height of his powers, doing what he loved most.
As Nat Han beautifully put it: “The man is a legend! He always had so much love for everyone. He wanted you to be your best. He got excited about your ideas. He was nothing but good energy.”
From his band members
Words can’t express the devastating feeling that came across me this morning.
My long-term COMBAT WOMBAT partner and sound system warrior, record scratching extroninair, Dj Wasabi Jones, passed away in a tragic car accident this morning.
I met this man when he was just 15 years old.
He blew our Labrats sound system apart when he turned up to our illegal party in Newcastle and played the most insane, all-original drum and bass set off his old-school PC.
Not long after he joined the band and came on many a crazy political musical journey across Australia.
He was an integral part of our sound.
Nobody could scratch like him.
Nobody could raise the energy levels so high at our shows that, at times, he would leave me just shaking my head in disbelief on stage.
He was a true weapon.
So many shows, so many adventures. Hard times and tough times, good times and revolutionary attitudes.
There’s only one Wasabi, and he has left us way too soon.
Wasabi, wherever you are, we are sending you full power to take on your next big adventure.
My cosmic warrior, I will miss you dearly.
Massive love to the family and his lovely kids, Danger and Tea, Kate, and his mu,m Catherine xxx
Rest in Peace, Brother
Tom “Wasabi” Jones was more than a sound engineer or DJ – he was a beacon of creativity, compassion, and community spirit. His legacy lives on in every perfectly mixed track, every moment of dancefloor magic, and most importantly, in his children Danger and Tea, who carry forward his spirit of joy and wonder.
The electronic music community is smaller without him, but infinitely richer for having experienced his light. As we continue to dance, create, and celebrate, we carry Tom’s passion for perfect sound and genuine human connection with us.
Important Update from the Family
A GoFundMe has been established to help with immediate expenses, including funeral arrangements, recovery support, legal matters, and, most importantly, the future of Tom’s two beautiful children, Danger and Tea. Any contribution, no matter the size, is deeply appreciated. The link to the fundraiser can be found here:
