It’s safe to say that the Queensland dance music scene is bearing some truly delicious fruit. The scene is thriving with so much quality across the different genres, and there’s a plethora of experienced promoters pushing everything from deep techno to fidget house for those who like their dance music a little left of the mainstream. And a man who is well and truly in there representing the quirkier side of the Queensland’s sound is DJ Danny T.

Danny T certainly likes to mix it up with a breed of Queensland DJs and producers who aren’t afraid to work hard for what they want to achieve, and it’s these same attitudes that are really pushing the scene from strength to strength. “It’s so exciting to see Queensland put on the map this year, especially in the inthemix50,” he told ITM. “We have such a prominent and flourishing music industry in Queensland, and I couldn’t have asked for a better place to live and work. We are all so supportive of each other as producers and respect each other’s individual music production style. Help and inspiration is never far off with such a talented network of mates. Look out Australia – Queensland is comin’ at ya with a big bag of nuts ready to be all up in ya face…bam!”

Danny certainly puts a lot of his success down to this network of mates. “The support and encouragement we all show each other is remarkable. My close creative network revolves primarily around my residencies at Monastery and Empire. And the boys I share the room with – my best mates Baby Gee, DJ Luki and Aniki from Monastery and my O.G Seany B at Empire, not to mention my hubby and manager and sometimes “life” manager DJ Habebe.” I take inspiration from all these guys as they each have a totally different style and attitude towards music; allowing me to take a little from column A and a little from column B. Luki and I are also always on each others backs trying to outdo each other in production. It’s a friendly game of course but it’s nice to have that constant nudge to get shit done. We’ve also started an alias for our more commercial music production under the name Frousse.”

2008 has seen Danny T continue his reputation as one of Brisbane’s busiest DJ’s. It has also seen his production skills come into fruition with a number of remixes and releases. When he hasn’t been laying down jacking tunes in a club or playing Mario Kart (his self confessed addiction), he has been in the studio under the alias Frousse. “This year I nabbed my first release through Generation Records – a sub label of Vinyl Pusher. I have also been working on remixes for the likes of Acid Jacks, Dirty Laundry, Oh Snap, Marcus Night, and Ryan Riback and for other labels such as Sweat It Out (Syd) Crux records (NYC) and Bimbo Rock.”

Danny T’s sound is certainly jacking with many different influxes of genre styles. Like his DJing, his production sounds are equipped for rug cutting. “I’ve finally found where I want to be style wise with my production,” Danny T notes. “I experimented with different genres writing anything like hip hop, breaks, tech house, or bangin’ electro, but I’ve settled down with proper jacking fidget house and Baltimore. Who knows what will come in the years ahead! Anything ghetto is how I write my music: lots of ghetto vocal and B-boy stabs mashed with big band horns and speed garage elements… all rolled up ready to jack!”

With the likes of jacking masters such as Jesse Rose making their way back to our Australian shores for the summer festival season, it’s time to have a really good think about the Queensland festival selection. No matter which festival you choose there is a good chance Danny T will be there. “One of my 2008 highlights would have to be being included on the festival circuit this year such as BBQ Breaks, Good Vibrations, Future Music Festival, and Parklife and maybe Stereosonic to come,” Danny T affirms. “I hope the kids can handle the onslaught of festivals heading their way. It’s great to see a more eclectic array of DJs and producers flock to our land ranging in genres from the current house styling’s to hip-hop, DnB, rave and everything in between; a little something for everyone. I think we have a good population of people to back it up for each festival but it does make you wonder how it will affect the club scene during the now extended festival season. I’m excited for the new additions such as Global Gathering and Stereosonic with both jammed full of the world’s top notch DJs and producers.”

With a busy schedule, Danny T is keeping level by sticking to his youthful roots and creative outlets. “I’m a straight up B-boy at heart. Back a few years ago, you wouldn’t see me without a sketch pad and pencil in hand. I love street art, hip hop jams, B-boy comps, James Brown tribute nights and anything that takes me to the old skool. All these are totally obvious in my production styles too. I love shit that swings yo! And with all busy lifestyle, Mario Kart is my release when a hard day in the studio is too much.”

When asked what we can expect when some of Queensland’s finest erupt behind the decks at Brisbane’s Parklife, Danny keeps to true B-boy form. “Straight up party! Leave your high waists at home, strap on your kicks, pull down your sweat shirt, slap on your freshest brim and do the bus stop Danny T style!”

Catch Danny T when he plays Parklife at the City Botanic Gardens, this Saturday 4th October!