This Perth DJ profile takes a look at a well prepared and very passionate up and comer to the scene. DJ John Paul has been surrounded by music his whole life so it was by no mistake that his destiny would be centered on music. Growing up in the DJ console of the local roller skating rink his parents owned, John Paul grew an early love for music, vinyl and mixing.

After getting his first major DJ’ing break on New Years Eve 2001 at Club A; John Paul has enjoyed a residency there as well as most recently becoming Co-Resident DJ at Rise alongside veteran DJ Simon Barwood. There he has supported various international acts including: Darude, DJ Jan de Vos (4 Strings), Scot Project and Ultrasonic.

With all of this accomplished in just two years, I think we will be hearing a lot more of DJ John Paul in years to come. You can check him out every Friday and Saturday night at Rise.




Is it “just a fucking phase”? Or, do you think that you will always be involved in dance music in some way?

Well, I believe it’s not “just a fucking phase. My life basically revolves around music. Since I was born, I have always been around music, my Dad has the same love for music that I do. Whether or not I am djíng for the rest of my life is not really something I can answer right now. Who knows what will eventuate in years to come? But I can say that the passion I have for my music will never die.


How did you get yourself into this mess anyway: what was your path to Djing?

When I was about 3, my parents over saw the building of Mirrabooka Ice Rink, and from the day it opened, when I was there, the place to find me was the dj booth. I still have my signed copy of the birdy dance from DJ Steve J. I spent my younger years in roller-skating rinks, mostly Balcatta rollerdrome; listening to Kenny L develop his skills with 7” records, hehe. At around 17, one of my good friends bought a Denon CD player, and I spent 90% of my time over at his place trying to mix CD’s. I started buying vinyl, I hired decks and speakers just about every weekend and kept hammering away teaching myself to beat mix.
About 2 Years ago, I gave up my chef work completely, and took some time off to decide what to do with my life. When I was offered a New Years Eve Gig @ Club A, I took it, and was offered the residency the next week. From there it has only gotten better. In April Simon Barwood offered me the set directly after Darude, which I jumped at (who wouldn’t if they hadn’t supported an international dj before?) and from there I have been lucky enough to get increasing regular work @ Rise.


What are the current labels you favour?

There isn’t really any particular labels that I will buy straight out, there are so many nowadays, I really like finding obscure white labels that are hard to get hold of.

What is your favourite food and beverage?

Fresh swordfish with cracked pepper and a touch of lemon. Red bull, it keeps me going.


What do you do in your spare time, or the time that you have when you aren’t dj’ing?

What spare time!? It depends, at the moment I am flat out with summer coming up, between production work for Power Music, running my own business and Djíng, I am pretty much sleeping. J


What do you think of Perth’s strong predilection for certain genres, like deep house and drum’n’bass?

I think there is a good following for both, the all ages scene for drum and bass is dying, and there is a revival for the hardcore sound on the way.


Who, if anyone, would you drop all your records for a night and go and see if they were playing in Perth and why?

With the number of good international and eastern states acts coming through Rise, I have no need to drop all my records as I am already there! One major one to see though, from my roller skating years would have to be Dyewittness!


Is it more of a challenge to play to the same crowd every week and have to maintain variation or to have to work a different crowd and venue week in week out? Which would you prefer?

Having a residency, I would say is much more challenging. To get people to keep coming to see you week in, week out, is much more rewarding. You get to know your crowd, and introduce them to new sounds and directions in ways that won’t clear the floor or destroy the vibe.


How long have you been playing? How has the sound of what you’ve been playing developed since you started out as a DJ?
Are you interested in music outside the style that you play?

I’ve been playing out in clubs for 2 years. The sound I play has only changed with the venues, which has progressed from commercial house/hardhouse/euro/trance, to what I play @ Rise.
I have gone from playing a commercial edge to playing what I love best, nothing beats the 4am – 6am set!


What have been your top 5 tracks of the past year?

In no order:

Dark monks – Insane
Ira – Dariush
Boomerang – Igor S
Gamemaster 2003 – Lost Tribe
Touch Me – Shark boy vs Steve Hill



What makes a good DJ?

The love of music, the ability to read a crowd and flexibility. The best dj’s can play anything, and still have a crowd jumping for joy! I totally don’t understand the pigeon holing problem Perth seems to have, where some people believe they are better than others because of the music they listen to.


Do you dance when you are not playing?

I dance while playing, if you could call it that, and also when I am not.


Where can people see you play over the next few months?

Every night we are open @ Rise