Dave Stuart is a Sydney-based DJ. Currently running the ‘Something Else’ parties he’s been involved with the music local scene for over 10 years.
We had the chance to talk with him once the summer season is over down under.
Electronic Groove: Hi Dave, thanks for the time to chat with us. How did you get involved with electronic music?
Dave Stuart: Hi folks, thanks for having me. Really there’s no exciting story behind this. I just used to go out partying too much, buying music, listening to DJ mixes. I never thought I’d actually DJ myself. Then one day a friend lent me his decks for a week and I fell in love… Since then it’s consumed my life.
EG: How would you describe the current style you are playing?
Dave Stuart: This is always a tricky question, being a resident of a club here in Sydney means I play varied styles depending on what the party is, who I’m supporting, etc. Generally, I play across house and techno but the one thing that draws me into the records that I buy is that they do something to me emotionally rather than just being functional tracks. I always tend to go for the deeper, dreamy tracks rather than hard and abrasive, the best track to me is one that makes me close my eyes and takes me to a special place.
EG: You have performed in important clubs like Tresor or Salon Zur Wilden Renate in Germany. Any particular gig that you remember as ‘very special’ for you?
Dave Stuart: Pretty much all the gigs I’ve played overseas have been special as the club culture there suits me so much better. Here in Sydney due to very tough laws from the Government our club are not allowed to stay open very late -usually we finish at 3:30 am- so it means that DJ’s sets are relatively short. So, when I play in Berlin the DJ sets are usually at least 3 hours+ which lets me really play properly.
As you said I’ve been lucky enough to play some pretty cool parties, being booked to play Tresor (thanks to one of my favorite DJ’s, Mareena) was both humbling and very scary. I have never been that nervous before a gig, but the pressure of the gig helped me concentrate and perform well. Some other notable gigs I’ve played were those for the wonderful crew at Parallel Berlin who are very like-minded and very much in line with my music tastes. The venue and crowd ae always on point. Also, one of those special gigs that I’ll always remember was playing close at Golden Gate once, was booking to play 6 am to midday. Ended up finishing at 3 pm as no one would leave the dance-floor. I’d never get to do that at home!
“The best track to me is one that makes me close my eyes and takes me to a special place”
EG: Your run your own night ‘Something Else’ in Sidney. How did that started?
Dave Stuart: I’ve been running the ‘Something Else’ parties with a good friend Alex for the last couple of years. It’s just something we do so we can book artists that we love and try to create a fun, friendly party with nice music in a city that’s becoming less and less fun 🙁 I’ve been running parties in Sydney for the last 9 years. ‘Something Else’ being the 4th brand/event that I’ve been involved with and is by far my favorite.
EG: Can you mention some of the artists and highlights regarding your nights?
Dave Stuart: Hmm where to start? We have worked very hard to bring some very special acts to Sydney to showcase some great music. Recent highlights for me recently would be people like Eric Cloutier, Marcel Fengler, Vril, Kai Alce, Delano Smith, Eduardo De La Calle, Edit Select, Patrice Scott and Nick Hoppner. Well, you get the idea. Having these artists travel all the way from their homes to play at our little party is very special to me.
EG: You are based in Australia and Summer is about to end. How was the season for you?
Dave Stuart: To be honest I’m happy summer is over, we’ve had a bit of a break with the ‘Something Else’ parties over summer from the end of December while we change to a new venue. We’ve been doing only monthly parties for a little while. But now summer is over we are going back to weekly from May onwards at a great new venue called The Bunk3r which is a super intimate space with a nice big Funktion 1 system where we are going to present some more great music!
EG: We have seen the development of the Australian electronic music scene through the years. What are your thoughts about it? What would be your recommendations in terms of events?
Dave Stuart: There are some really quality parties in Sydney that are up there with some of the best in the world. If you look hard enough there’s something for every taste and genre going on. Depending on the mood, there’s brilliant techno at Charades, quality deep and tech house at SASH, unbelievable kink and freedom at Bad Dog and The House of Mince, if you dig house and disco then its Mad Racket… and then there’s also our little thing, Something Else.
“I’ve been running the ‘Something Else’ parties with a good friend Alex for the last couple of years. It’s just something we do so we can book artists that we love”
EG: Can you mention a few local talents that stand out compared to others?
Dave Stuart: Hmm there’s too many to list, but some personal favorite locals of mine are Simon Caldwell, Matt Lush, Baron Castle, Echo Inspectors, Ben Drayton & Annabelle Gasper, Aaron Robins, Mantra Collective, Menial Arts… and of course the wonderful Trinity. All are world class acts.
EG: What’s in Dave Stuart’s schedule for the rest of the year?
Dave Stuart: Working on running ‘Something Else’ weekly parties again from May onwards, trying to get a dub-focused side project happening, then there’s also the yearly European tour happening in July – August period, and spending all my money on more records!
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