Every time we speak with Dirty South it brings a tear to our eye. Recently voted Australia’s #1 producer at the 2008 Sony inthemix50 – for the second year in a row – he’s spent 2008 flying the flag for Australia’s dance scene thanks to constant touring in the US and Europe. He’s about to finish a 4 month stint in Europe, having played throughout their summer at every festival and club worth mentioning, including his monthly residency at Pacha in Ibiza for Subliminal. If you’ve been missing Dirty down under don’t despair, he’s coming back to Australia in November for the national Global Gathering tour. But, if you can’t wait until then, track down a copy of his latest mix CD ‘Toolroom Knights’!
You’ve just finished a mix for the Toolroom label. Tell us a bit about it?
The tracks for this compilation were selected on the basis of what I was into and what I was playing at the time. It also features some Toolroom releases, and of course some of my productions. I keyed all the tracks and mixed both discs with Ableton Live.
Do you feel that you’ve achieved what you set out to with the mix?
I am really happy with this mix, and I would say it is my favourite compilation to date. I think I achieved exactly what I intended with it!
Describe the sound of mix?
The sound of the mix varies throughout both discs. The first is little deeper, weirder and sexier, whereas the second disc is more big room stuff.
Does the CD sound much like what you play in your DJ sets?
Disc one sounds like something that I’d play if I was warming up for myself, and the second disc reflects more what I would actually play in a DJ set.
You’ve been commissioned to remix big names in recent years, had a bunch of award nominations, and also a heap of singles released. Has there been a definitive career highlight for you so far?
I think being nominated for a Grammy would be up there for me. It’s one of the more happy moments in my life!
Can we expect an artist album from you in the coming years?
It is possible, but for now I’m concentrating on singles. I’m also starting my own label very soon.
What’s your take on where house music is at right now?
There is a lot of music out there so it can be hard to find the secret weapons and new or fresh tracks, because everyone with a laptop can make beats. Sometimes that’s not a good thing for the quality of music being released, but it’s every DJ’s job to be on the hunt and lookout for the best tracks they can find.
Do you have a busy DJ schedule coming up to promote the Toolroom mix?
The schedule is looking full on. My European tour finally finishes at the end of September, it’s been 4 months long! After that is a USA tour, which will be followed by my Australian tour for Global Gathering. It’s non-stop.
Are there any upcoming shows that you’re particularly looking forward to?
I’m really enjoying my residency at Pacha in Ibiza with Subliminal, and I have two more still to play so I can’t wait for that. I’m also doing one of my favourite clubs in September, Ministry of Sound in London, for Steve Angelo’s Size party.
Do you have a favourite producer at the moment, or tracks that are proving to be a good secret weapon?
I like what the Swedish House Mafia are releasing, and also Tiger Stripes and Funkagenda. I’m always making new edits and bootlegs for my sets, and I just finished a new track with Axwell called ‘Open Your Heart’.
‘Toolroom Knights’ mixed by Dirty South is out this month. Don’t miss him when he tours Australia in November as part of Global Gathering, proudly supported by inthemix!
Sat Nov 22nd – Melbourne
Sun Nov 23rd – Perth
Sat Nov 29th – Brisbane
Sun Nov 30th – Sydney
For all the latest on Global Gathering check out ITM’s festival page: inthemix.com.au/globalgathering
Ben Royal says...
'just finished Open Your Heart'? That track has been out for months - how old is this interview?
i_have_ADD says...
Ben Royal> interview came through to us this week mate, i guess saying 'just finished' is a pretty loose term eh? a day ago, a week ago, a month ago... it's all relative i suppose!
shortino says...
Seeming as Dirty South is such good mates with Sweedish house mafia crew I think he should bring them downunder to put on some weekly parties for a month!!!?...maybe Size Sydney?