Don Diablo has found an underground following through a mix of official releases and a mammoth amount of free online releases. Almost weekly the Dutch DJ posts his own tracks and remixes of other artist’s. We wondered how long the free music would last.
‘I will definitely keep giving stuff away’ Diabolo tells us, “I think the way the music industry is now it can’t be stopped, either you give it away or people will take it. So I’d rather just give it away so at least its good quality. I think it’s a great development, it’s the death of record companies.’
Being so prolific is Diablo’s willing to remix anything that come his way, the DJ is adamant that he will only work with artists where he feels he can add to the original.
‘I like to just take music and look at every case separately, ’cause when you get track A – it doesn’t necessarily work in a remix form for track B. So when you have to remix a hip-hop, you can turn it into a drum and bass track, but making it into an electro track will make it sound very deformed… you lose the soul of the record.
‘When I accept a remix I try to take different angles and talk it over with the original artist or record company. I ask, what are you looking for, if you’re looking for this, I can’t deliver it because I don’t want to rape the original. I think there are a lot of remixes out there that have nothing to do with the original. I try to take a lot out of the original and still give my own twist to it.’
While some DJ’s are better listened to than looked at, there’s no denying that Diablo is a good looking man, who according to his record company needs to be naked in the studio to reach his full creativity. Diablo explains to us that the reason for his naked creative process is much simpler.
‘I have my studio in my house, sometimes I work on a song or on several songs, three days in a row, I don’t eat and I don’t get dressed… then someone from the record company will knock on the door and for me it will be very normal to be sitting in my underwear’, he continues, ‘I’ll be going – listen to this music! C’mon listen to this! And they’ll tell me, maybe you should put on some pants on first.’
Diablo has also been actively involved in the Dance 4 Life campaign that raises money for and awareness of HIV.
‘The biggest thing I have done is go to South Africa and shoot a documentary and see what is done with the money that is being raised. It’s one of the most impressive things I’ve seen in my life’.
With the death of the record company business model, hitting the road is essential for artists wanting to make a good living Diablo laments that being on the road can be a lonely experience but sings the praises of Australia’s festival circuit.
‘Normally you just play somewhere and play some records, you walk in and it’s a crowded club and its dark… you go back to your hotel and you fall asleep and then you get on the plane. When you do something like this [Future Music] you’re on tour together with all of these amazing artists… and you eat breakfast together… watch each other’s shows… you talk and music derides from that. Last year I met Diplo and we had a good connection and we made a track together.’
Make You Pop, Diablo’s collaboration with Diplo has been heard the world over as the soundtrack to commercials for Blackberry. Diablo seems to have a knack for interesting collaborations, his new song ‘Animale’ features Canadian electro pop band Dragonette. With a host of artists joining him on tour for Future Music you can only wonder who he may team up with next.
Don Diablo play Future Music at Joondalup Show Grounds on Sunday March 6. For more info www.futureentertainment.com.au
Graeme Watson
