To start off can you tell us a little bit about your mix?

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This mix is a two-hour world tour of what my housemates and I affectionately call ‘hunnie beepers,’ i.e. tracks around 100 BPM. It’s a selection of my favourite digs from the last 6 months, from uplifting highlife, to striking gospel, balearic, RnB, street soul and everything in between; with plenty of dub-edits and chuggy goodness.

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How did you first get into DJing?

My best friend and I used to frequently play b2b YouTube sets at kick ons; fading in and out of tracks selected in different tabs. We decided to give the real deal a go and went down to our local pawn shop to pick up a dusty set of Gemini MDJ-900’s. It took us a while to get the hang of mixing on those clunky “decks” - they were an absolute nightmare to play on - but eventually it clicked. We then started a show on Bondi Beach Radio where we really got to develop beatmatching and track selecting and it just went from there.

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You're a multidisciplinary artist, what forms do your different practices take and how do they feed into each other?

Besides being a DJ, I'm also a graphic designer, curator and creative director of a publication called Soft Stir. The outputs of these practices come in various forms - from a print publication to events to brand identities - but a through-line is conceptual design thinking; even when it comes to making mixes. Each output informs the others in subtle ways - mostly through how I approach each process and method of developing my work. I feel immersed in creative work around the clock, so it’s great having a variety of modes to work in to keep things interesting.

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Collaboration with other artists / designers is a big part of what you do. How have you found navigating this type of work and interaction in the current landscape?

Yeah collaboration is a big part of my work; particularly when it comes to the publication. A lot of my freelance design work is done solo, so I love having the opportunity to bounce and develop ideas with others. The energy of working with others can give projects great momentum and it always ends up in unexpected and exciting territory.

During lock down, I’ve conducted collaboration through heaps of video calls and long phone chats. It has affected that energy exchange and momentum, but it’s been fortunate that we’ve been able to share screens and still see each others’ faces, which is a refreshing reprieve from the work-from-home echo chamber.

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What have you been doing for self care this lockdown?

I’ve been focusing a lot on health and fitness in this lock down. I’m all about the park yoga, daily walks, and occasional YouTube booty-blaster-esque workout. I’ve been enjoying jogging around Henson Park and going on long bike rides. I’ve explored heaps of my 5km radius by bike; seeing backstreets and neighbourhoods that I wouldn’t usually explore. In a time of isolation this has given me a sense of connection to the world - as I careen through it on a rusty Reid cruiser.

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Tell us about a dancefloor highlight of this year?

The biggest highlight was probably Lovejoy’s party at the Bridge Hotel right before lock down. I arrived at 6am and was immediately immersed in the most bonkers 160 BPM fuckery (and I mean this in the best way possible) courtesy of Smell da Gnosis (Orb b2b Thick Owens), which was such a nice way to launch into the day. Following sunrise, a 7/11 brekky of champs, and mimosas, was Waxo Paradiso’s impeccable mix; in which that magical phenomena of collective dancefloor euphoria was abundant.

Special mention goes to Frances Inferno Orchestra for closing out his set at Velodrome’s latest warehouse party with Paris (Aeroplane Remix); this forgotten gem of my dramatic teen years truly transported me. And to literally everyone that played at Shed’s Regenesis party at the Bridge Hotel; it was hot as heck (but mostly to Lex Deluxe for gracefully handling a light fixture falling down mid-set in front of her, and continuing to play one of the best sets of the night).

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What are you most looking forward to when restrictions ease?

I’m really looking forward to a change of scenery; I can’t wait to go camping, or go bushwalking in the mountains or even just to the beach. And of course I’m jonesing to go clubbing!

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Any other projects you have in the works you want to shout out?

Yes! I’m developing a radio show with a very special new Sydney selector. Details TBA but keep your eyes peeled for an announcement soon :)

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