House music specialist and fast-rising global megastar, Dom Dolla takes some time to chat to us about life through lockdown, performing live again and what plans he's got in store for the remainder of the year...

Date published: 15th Jun 2021

Twice nominated for the coveted ARIA Award for best dance release, championed by superstar DJ names the likes of Pete Tong, Duke Dumont, Danny Howard and fellow Aussie Sonny Fodera, and with over a hundred million streams to his name on Spotify alone - it's little wonder why Melbourne-based house producer, Dom Dolla has got so many heads turning around the globe.

Appearing on the Australian dance scene back in 2015 and making an immediate impact, after signing on with respected imprint Sweat It Out (Free Nationals, Purple Disco Machine, A-Trak), the now 29-year-old producer, real name Dominic Matheson, has accomplished what many will fail to achieve throughout their entire careers. And he's only just getting started.

An extremely talented and prolific studio creative, with an acute ear for melody, rhythm and an unarguable awareness of what makes a dancefloor move, Dolla's signature and characteristic jackin' house style of club music has had audiences losing their minds in iconic venues and at huge festivals across the globe.

In addition to performing some of his biggest hits - such as 2019's 'San Frandisco' and his most recent effort 'Pump The Brakes' - in front of massive audiences at events the likes of EDC Las Vegas, Splash House Palm Springs in California, ADE Amsterdam, Beyond The Valley Festival in his homeland, and Coachella out in the Colorado Desert, Dolla has also collaborated with and remixed music for a host of the worlds most renowned music names - from electronic trio Rüfüs Du Sol and songwriter Hayden James to international goddess of pop, Dua Lipa.

We recently got the chance to chat with the hard-working dance devotee, catching up on what he's been up to over the past 18 months or so and uncovering what tricks he's got up his sleeve for the remainder of this year and beyond. Read on to find out exactly what he had to say...

 

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Hi Dom, how are you? Where are do you find yourself speaking to us from?

Dom: "Hi Guys! I’m good! Speaking to you live from Melbourne, Australia. Slightly overcast."

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It’s been a tough old year for musicians and creatives the world over. You had a colossal year prior to the onset of the pandemic, back in 2019, embarking on a huge US and European tour, performing at Coachella festival, Miami Music Week, and in clubs across Ibiza. How have you found life without live music? What do you miss the most about performing live?

Dom: "Ahhh well it's certainly been interesting! I seriously cannot wait for live music to return!

"I actually had the chance to play a show in Brisbane, Australia not so long ago... the hair on my neck is still standing on end. Until touring returns in a significant way though, I guess I’ll just revert to watching Cercle live streams and lurking around my home studio."

 

 

Looking forward to the future, to the long-awaited return of some form of normality this year, what events have you got lined up? And is there a particular event you’re especially looking forward to playing?

Dom: "I’ll be making my way around North America, Europe and across the United Kingdom before returning to Australia, all being well. It’s hard to pick a favourite but I do love a hometown show.

"I can't wait to play Reading and Leeds, Tomorrowland, EZoo NYC and Splash House... I miss the big festival vibes."

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You’ve recently released a brand-new tech house banger – ‘Pump The Brakes’. Can we expect much more music to come in 2021?

Dom: "Making the most of COVID lockdown, I spent a lot of time working with different collaborators on a bunch of new Dom Dolla tracks. If I get my way, I'll be putting out as much music as possible! No doubt there are a lot of producers in a similar situation."

 

 

Apart from your own, are there any records that have been released over the past year that will make their way into your sets?

Dom: "I'm loving Ben Hemsley, Obskur, Torren Foot, Eli Brown, Tinlicker and Love Regenerator. They’re all sure to cause a stir on the dancefloor this year."

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Are there any artists that you’ve recently discovered, that you can’t get enough of? Any Australian up and comers we should be taking note of?

Dom: "Ben Hemsley is on a mighty hot streak, and is UK based I believe. As for Aussie’s, definitely Torren Foot. He's a good friend and collaborator who's really stepped up his game throughout this whole COVID ordeal. He's packing some serious secret herbs and spices."

 

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Header image credit: Pat Stevenson