One of the hot picks for the 2007 Australian DMC Championships is A-Style. He’s had a few years out of the battle circuit, but this year he’s coming back to spoil us (and our mums!) with his skills on the decks.
Is this your first time competing in a DJ comp?
Nope, this will be my third time competing in the DMCs.
How long have you been locked away for preparing your routine? Would you say this has been a long and tedious process for you or more of a creative outlet?
Well since I didn’t compete in the ’06 competition, I’ve had a few bits and pieces up my sleeve, so I only really needed a month or so to prepare this year’s set. The only creative part of practice is putting the routine together, once it’s done you’re just perfecting it through practice, it can kinda do your head in.
Are you expecting any particular standard of competition this year?
Tell you the truth, I been out of the battle circuit for almost 2 years now, I didn’t even watch last years comp, so I wouldn’t know where the level is at. I don’t even know who is competing this time around.
Your well known for your ‘leftfield” approach to turntablism, do you feel this might be one attribute that will definitely work in your favor for the comp?
It might, but now days a lot of people (DJs) have started to think outside the square, when it comes to their craft, you just got to hope you have the goods on the night!
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given?
There have been two good pieces of advice I’ve received in regards to battling:
1: Keep your routine musical; don’t get so technical that you’re the only one who understands it.
2: Everyone has their strengths and weaknesses in turntablism, make sure your routine masks your weaknesses and highlights your strengths.
Without letting the cat out of the bag, give us one word that you think will sum up your routine for this years comp?
I’ll give you more than one word: “so-good-even-your-mum-will-give-a-standing-ovation”
What prospects do you have beyond the comp?
I guess, there are a few things in the pipeline besides battling, I’ve got my own release coming up soon, the new X’n’Hell [Weapon X & Ken Hell] album coming up, another tour in Asia and one in Europe, and I guess keep doing what I do in Melbourne.
Catch A-Style at the Victorian Finals of the 2007 DMC World DJ Championships at the Hi-Fi Bar on Friday July 13.
