Jonny Mac has been a fixture in both Melbourne’s outdoor and club scene for the past 6 years, following his lifelong obsession with music with an easy transition into performing. He’s made a presence for himself in his city’s underground clubs, but he’s equally as well known for his sets at some of the best outdoor doofs to go down recently, including Rainbow Serpent, Winter Solstice Festival and this weekend coming up, the mighty Earthdance! ITM has a chat as the big gig draws near.

Earthdance returns to Melbourne this weekend. How did you come to be involved with the event?

I’ve been attending annual Earthdance for a number of years and had many amazing experiences as at punter at the day and night events. I approached the organizers earlier this year and expressed an interest in being involved. I’m beyond stocked to be playing it’s definitely one of the best gigs of the year in Melbourne.

What have you got lined up for the festival? Style, tracks, magic tricks?

Mmmmm will just have to wait and see… The Earthdance crowd is always a very open-minded and fun crowd, think I’ll mix it up a bit, a couple of classics might sneak in for good measure.

What are you looking forward to most about the festival?

Being involved in a worldwide event supporting so many good causes is a great change from the norm and having everyone involved donate their time adds something really special. There will be some fantastic music on the day to check out, Jamie Stevens is probably my favorite DJ in Melbourne, cant wait to hear what he pulls out and SunControlSpecies writes some amazing music and has an awesome live set. I’m planning to get there as early as I can to take it all in.

Have you been there or played there before? Any stories from either?

One day playing at Earthdance has been a goal of mine since attending the first one at Federation Square, 2004 maybe? The crowd is always so up for it and the music policy has always been right up my ally. My girlfriend Nicky (Atonix) played at it a couple of years ago at the Collingwood Children’s Farm and rocked it, big shoes to fill!

How has 2009 been for you career wise?

Just got back from Japan last week had a fantastic gig over there with Gavin Martin and Nicky (Atonix). It was a lovely medium sized outdoor day party in Nagano and we were looked after fantastically. I love that place! Another highlight was the Winter Solstice Festival in Cairns, awesome weather and and a really nice chilled festival.

What have you thought of 2009 so far musically?

There are some pretty amazing producers out there writing some amazing music, guys like Mark Broom, Nick Curly, Fiord, Jamie Stevens, Smith & Selway, Anton Pieete, Timo Maas, Robert Babicz, Okain, Guy J and DJ Koze are pushing it to new levels, as always I cant wait to hear what’s next!

What do you love about the Melbourne scene?

The scene in Melbourne at the moment is insane, for a place so far away from Europe to have such amazing acts gracing our shores every weekend is fantastic.

You play lots of styles – do you have a favourite? How about a never fail track?

I get bored playing the same things all the time… one week I like deep house, next week techno then back to progressive the week later. Too many DJs play the same style regardless of the time and venue. I like to think I can be flexible and play something appropriate regardless of the situation. Within reason of course!

You toured Japan and Europe last year – what was that like? Any trends over there you think will break big over here?

Hmmmm Melbourne is pretty onto it. The one thing that I really noticed though was in Spain how enthusiastic the crowd was, the club opens at 12.30 and by 12.45 the club is packed and everybody is dancing… No chinstrokers like me! It was awesome.

What else have you got coming up?

Summer is coming and lots is happening! Big ones coming up soon are Maya Festival on Oct 17th at Ceres which is always fantastic. The Rainbow Serpent Launch Party on 3rd October at the Mercat Cross which is one of the club events of the year and Atmospherics, a fund raiser in benefit of CASA (an extremely worthy cause) on October 9th at room. The month is looking busy and it’s only the start of summer!

Catch Jonny Mac this Sunday September 27th when Earthdance returns, and he’s also locked for the Rainbow Serpent Launch Party at The Mercat on Saturday 3rd October.