Here is our latest interview for the In Session series, a space where we get to know more about Wavezoo DJs. Meet DJ Dabby, a veteran of the house music scene with over two decades of experience behind the decks.
With a deep passion for technical mixing and an unwavering love for the genre, DJ Dabby has been a fixture in the scene since the late 90s.
1. How did you start DJing? Tell us about your origins
I started DJing in 1999. I started going to underground raves in the 90s and listening to a lot of old school house mixes from Chicago and LA, which led me to become increasingly obsessed with electronic music and learning how to DJ.
Then in 1999 I got a pair of Gemini turntables & a mixer, and a friend gave me a stack of trance vinyl to start learning on, which is how I started out spinning trance. After a couple years I was able to upgrade to a pair of Technics turntables & a Pioneer mixer and start chasing my true passion in house music.
Since then it’s been over 2 decades of constantly learning new techniques and evolving my style of mixing as the music and technology has evolved.
2. Who would you say are your influences?
Some of my biggest musical influences coming up as a DJ were probably Bad Boy Bill, Richard Vission, DJ Irene, DJ Rectangle, Carl Cox & Q-Bert. More recently I’ve also found a lot of inspiration in the technical mixing of DJs like James Hype and Yamato.
3. What do you think about the future of DJing? Where we are headed?
DJing has undergone significant changes over the last few decades thanks to advancements in technology and I anticipate further changes. In the past, learning to DJ was heavily focused on techniques which have been simplified by modern equipment.
However, the timeless skills and methods that are the fundamentals of DJing, such as beatmatching and musical selection, will always be essential to being a great DJ.
The integration of AI into mixing software, allowing for things like stem isolation, is another indication of how DJing could evolve dramatically with the adoption of new tech in club-standard equipment.
4. What can people expect from your shows?
People can expect unique, technical, high-energy mixes, in which I incorporate my decades of music knowledge along with more unique skills like scratching.
I always strive to keep the audience engaged through my mixing and musical selection, and always keep mixes fresh with the latest tracks, combined with old school classics.
5. What would be your ideal party? Let people know what would be your top tracks
Considering the vast wealth of music out there and how much of it I love this is a tough question, but a few of the songs that I really enjoy mixing and always get my energy levels up are (in no particular order):
- CJ / Whoopty (James Hype VIP Mix)
- DJ Shorty / Chocolate Sensation (Force Club Mix)
- Diplo & SIDEPIECE / On My Mind
- DJ Funk / Work It
- Malaa / Notorious
- Mike Balance / They Know
- Jengi / Bel Mercy
6. Help other DJs to level up, give the community a tip that will improve other DJs performance
Always try to keep your mixes original and differentiate yourself from how other DJs might mix a track. Even if you’re playing a track you mix on a regular basis, try mixing it differently or from a different part of the song, even simple things like that can make a huge difference in how a track feels.
I also make a lot of custom edits and reworks of tracks that fit better with my style of mixing, and help make my mixes feel more unique.
Aside from that, always working on DJ fundamentals and extra skills like scratching helps level up your mixes even further.
Always keep practicing and don’t compare yourself to anyone else. Just keep working. Developing true skill takes time and effort, so don’t give up.
7. Let the people know what is going on in your life
In the immediate future I have an upcoming virtual charity event in collaboration with Soundrig.io to raise funds to donate to organizations such as MAPS, to support mental health awareness. I’ll also be competing in a local DJ battle here in Denver at The Black Box nightclub for a potential residency spot.
Other than that I have some new tracks I’ve been working on that I’m very excited to release in the coming months!
If you are a Wavezoo DJ and would like to appear in our interviews, please contact us!
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