D.O.D, we are all looking forward seeing you perform at Tall Trees. Can you give us any clue as to what you have in store for the ‘Fire It Up’ show?
Just slamming tunes and some trickery on the decks!
Name three producers that will likely make your track list for Tall Trees.
Dyro, Zedd and Nicky Romero! All three young, very talented producers!
What music and artists have led you to end up at your current sound?
There have been a number of artists really but I’d say that touring with Eddie really opened my ears to be honest. I used to be a mash-up DJ playing everything from dnb to electro but it could sometimes disturb the flow of the dance floor - after watching Eddie, I started to craft a new sound and it’s done me wonders!
For anyone who hasn’t experienced one of your shows live, how would you describe them?
I like to put on a show. If the crowd are fully into what I’m doing and trust me musically then I’ll vibe off that too. I love doing something visual with technology so the audience can see what I’m doing – they seem to buzz off it just as much as I do! I always use at least three decks too: it helps me be much more creative and allows me to fit in twice as many tracks in a night.
Who is the most inspiring person you have ever met on your musical endeavours?
That’s a difficult one, but I’d have to say Laidback Luke. The guy has got some balls to play some of the stuff he does! But he does it well and I guess that’s what makes him unique. Technically he’s a very good DJ too.
What can we expect in the rest of 2012 from you?
Lots and lots of new music! I have a single coming out on Steve Aoki’s Dim Mak Records, an EP coming out on Black Hole Recordings and a remix coming out on Paul Oakenfold’s Perfecto Records. I’m currently touring with Steve Aoki on his European tour but I’ve got shows coming up in Aberdeen, Manchester, Croatia, Ibiza, Belgium, Berlin, Leeds and Wales to name a few!
What is your earliest memory of being interested in the technology side of music?
Seeing a TV clip of a guy DJing to about five people in a bar in Ibiza trying to scratch. I thought he was the coolest guy I’d ever seen and for those five minutes I really aspired to be like him. I was 9.
What is next on you musical bucket list?
To have a Beatport top 10!
Have you ever broken anything at a gig and been told off for being bad?
I once knocked over a monitor speaker that was on a stand next to me and it smashed to pieces. It hit me in the head and cut the top of my eyebrow so I guess me and the promoter are even now.
What’s your favourite DJ-FX on a mixer or external device and how do you implement it to maximum power?
Soon to be the Pioneer RMX-1000, but currently it’s the iKassoilator app on my iPhone. Sounds crazy I know, but it’s a mini synthesiser that has some really cool sounds on there. I use that with the Pioneer DJM900 mixer to loop sounds and add even more FX. Brings a visual element to my DJ sets too: it works great in a club!
Which super power (apart from being able to mix four decks at once) would you like to have and why?
Having another two arms so I could DJ on eight decks!
Hypothetic situation: You fall 30 ft out the DJ booth halfway through a show and hit your head. You wake up in hospital and your music tastes seem to have been all jumbled up. You now love your most hated music and forgot you called yourself D.O.D. What is your new music style and what is your new DJ name?
I’m called D-Dawg now play rap and rnb with my main man WESTWOOD!!! We pop champagne, drive round in a Hummer and chill with our bitches! And we also smoke weed every daaaayyyy.
Lastly, you’re playing in Croatia with Eddie for the Fire It Up gigs: tell us your key to a kick ass summer...
Festivals, Ibiza, friends and partying! I’m getting excited just thinking about the summer! Croatia will be amazing - I’ve heard nothing but good things about the outdoor venue.
Catch D.O.D alongside Eddie Halliwell, Michael Woods and more at Tall Trees on May 6th!
D.O.D’s latest Podcast - http://itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-d.o.d-podcast/id506689725
Facebook Event and full details - http://www.facebook.com/events/252220044864098/
