Queensland DJ Murray Brown won the Central Station DJ competition in 2000 and has since gone on to become one of the countries finest, touring as part of the Wild Nights radio program. In 2003 he scored the top spot for Queensland in the inaugural Technics inthemix50 DJ Poll. With voting now open for 2004, ITM thought it high time to sit down and have a chat.
What drew you to DJing in the first place?
Going out on Saturday Nights and trying to guess the next track… Then listening to how the DJ would make the two come together seamlessly
How Long have you been DJing for?
Started in 98
How much did winning the Central Station DJ comp help you to carve out a career as a DJ?
A local promoter noticed me and gave me my first gig on a Wednesday night.
You’ve played at some huge festivals including gatecrasher and splendor in the grass, do you have preference as far as plying clubs, outdoor festivals etc?
I prefer clubs although festivals are fun, lots of shenanigans going on backstage.
How would you describe your sound?
I have been playing a lot of Tough French House lately.
How do you feel about the direction of the Australian dance music scene in general right now?
At the Winter Music Conference just gone in Miami Infusion played between Tiesto and and the Chemical Brothers on the main stage… Australia is the second biggest buyer of Hard Dance records in the world and look at the size of our population to the UK… Australian labels and producers are getting picked up overseas left right and centre…. Every big name DJ in the world wants to play Aus over summer because the crowds are so up for it… I would have to say that our scene is the shit and it gets bigger every minute.
In 2003 you became a regular guest DJ and a tour DJ for the wild nights radio program tell me a bit about what that role entails.
We pack the Wild Nights truck and take it on a road trip. There where some scary nights and some absolute belters.
What is your fav track of the moment?
D. Ramirez “Freaque On” the Seamus Haji Mix and anything Antione Clamaran does.
You were voted No 1 in QLD in the 2003 Technics inthemix50 DJ Poll. How does fan support like that make you feel?
Humbled!
Who are a few of your musical inspirations and influences?
Most of my inspirations are from people that I work around in clubs, other DJs, Bar Staff, Door Staff. A majority of them all have second jobs and work their guts out and I find that inspiring. Musically I usually catch DJs that are passing through and pick pieces up from them and adopt it to myself.
Is there anyone you particularly dream of playing or collaborating with?
I would like to play after pete tong… He smashed it on his recent tour through QLD. Having a studio session with the guys from Full Intention would be pretty cool to…
Do you have a standout gig memory you can share with us?
Yeah… Just this weekend gone a girl pumping her hands in the air fell off the stage and broke her nose…
How do you find the crowds in the various different states respond to your sound?
As long as you maintain a certain “Vibe” level you can pretty much play what you want I find.
Do you have any advice for aspiring DJ’s?
Believe in yourself. It can be really hard to get that first gig in a club so stick with it and keep sending your demos and talking to the promoters and never doubt for a second that you can’t do it.
Keep an eye out for Murray Brown tour dates. To vote for Murray in this year’s Technics inthemix50 DJ Poll, head over to www.inthemix.com.au/50. Voting closes Friday June 4th.
Murray Brown plays at the Toucan Club in Mandurah (Perth) on Saturday June 5th.
