Constructed out of melted sneaker material, tattoos and oversized watch parts, Damien Bridge is known affectionately by many names: Technoshrek and Uncle Kickflip being just two of them. But it wasn’t until he started playing electronic music that Dubboyy came to the fore.
Since then that name has become a regular feature on the Johannesburg after hours scene with Dubboyy featuring at venues and parties such as Toy-Toy, Truth and Fu-Cha. His influences are wide and varied, but he lists friends Digital Rockit, Killer Robot, Brad S, Phat Jack and the boys from Sound Sensible as artists who have had a major impact on his musical style and his life.
Regardless of where or what he’s playing however, Dubboyy loves a tune and he wants to make you skop. We caught up with Dubboyy and fired a few questions his way.
Where are you from originally and what were the kinds of things you grew up listening to? I am originally from Pietermaritzburg via Durban. I moved up to JHB 13 years ago. I didn’t really have parents that were interested in music, so I sort of had to find my own way.
Tell us about your first experience with electronic music. How did you get hooked? And what led to you becoming a DJ? When rave was big in the mid 90’s I started clubbing and was exposed to electronic music because I was trying out clubs and quickly realised that I didn’t enjoy the music that the student clubs were playing. Socially, I don’t know how, I always seemed to end up partying and meeting the DJ’s. One of the first people I met when I moved to JHB was Dogstarr from Digital Rockit. I was very fortunate that I kept good company socially and I suppose I became envious of the influence that my friends were having on the music scene. I wanted to make a difference in my own way, no matter how small.
Give us a little history on your background and DJ involvement with Juanne Odendaal. What did you take away from this partnership, if anything? Juanne is a very good DJ technically and he helped me make the transition from Ableton to Traktor. He helped me to refine whatever beginner skills I had into something that remotely resembled a DJ. I will always be grateful to him and respect him as he taught me a professional side of DJ’ing that I still value and use. Besides, I spent many hours dancing on a certain rooftop in the CBD in my early years in JHB listening to his music. I have always and will always respect him as a DJ and all round good mate.
What in your opinion are the criteria that distinguish an average DJ from an outstanding one? Preparation, musical education, being on time, choosing your gigs, respecting the dancefloor. Very importantly, music must always win!
Name your top 3 favourite international DJs or producers. Was a specific mix or track production the catalyst to this Top 3 status? If so what and what about it moved you. I listen to plenty of music and draw many influences from many different artists and producers. I enjoy many different types of genres, so I don’t think I could narrow it down like that. Every week my favourites change.
Every DJ should be armed with some sure-fire weapons he knows he can depend on to rock any party, anywhere. Without divulging your secrets, name 5 such tracks and tell us why they have a permanent place in your box. I am going to politely decline answering that. I believe that track selection is more important than any technical skill. I do believe that with the amount of time some DJ’s spend on sourcing tracks, they have the right to keep them a secret. Sorry guys, I hope you understand.
Lastly, describe the music you play to a newbie who has never had the privilege of hearing you mix. And a quick overview about the mix you’ve given us. The music I play is music that I would always dance to. I don’t believe in playing music that wouldn’t get me excited on the dancefloor. I like to think that the music I play has a certain level of intelligence and energy about it. The mix was recorded on a special night at the establishment that has become Toy-Toy. It was special because the night is run by my good buddies at Digital Rockit and Sound Sensible and it was my debut playing at Toy-Toy. I also opened for a DJ (Hydro) that I have the utmost respect for. I know his style so decided I wanted to set him up really nicely. I hope I did.
Listen to Dubboyy's mix: