Following the release of KU DE TA: 2 Sunset Soundtracks, DJ Donni1talks about life beachside at Bali’s restaurant and premier DJ venue, KU DE TA.
OiP: How did you get started DJing?
Donni1: I started buying records out of interest for music. Then I got some gigs doing mobile DJing. It just amazed me how you can move people through music. From there, a friend of mine gave me some spots at the local disco in town and that’s where I spent the best years of my training into what I do today.
OiP: What first drew you to Bali?
Donni1: Amazing energy and the sense of freedom. It’s a fertile ground for creativity.
OiP: Your tracks are very much associated with a specific location. How has Bali and KU DE TA influenced or inspired what you have laid down?
Donni1: Everything about this is the embodiment of Bali as a destination and KU DE TA as a lifestyle.
OiP: Do you believe good DJs are made in the studio or made in the clubs?
Donni1: Getting your training on the ground allows you to develop with the crowd and opens you to the interaction that is required to be a great DJ. You learn a great lesson in programming when you can bounce with each other. And, when you have that understanding, you can take that into a studio and create.
OiP: Any stories you would like to share from your gigs at KU DE TA?
Donni1: One of the highlights of HIGH SEASON 06 was the Russian Chic Blesk Krasota party and having Cirque Du Soleil perform over dinner time. Jocelyn Brown and Erykah Badu performed live before the biggest fireworks display in Bali. DJ Mark Farina took over, and the rest was history.
OiP: Why did you decide to release a DVD with your current CD?
Donni1: I think having a DVD gives an upfront account of what happens in our High Season Events Calendar. It’s great to see people uniting from all corners of the globe with the common interest of music and the lifestyle. It’s an escape that we all want to experience at some time in our lives and what better way to see it than through our eyes.
OiP: What does it take for a DJ to successfully use technology in their craft?
Donni1: Keep up with the technology enough to suit your purpose. It’s perfect to be able to play our Sunset gigs via Traktor 3 Final Scratch as we can carry our whole library. For a DJ gig with a dancefloor, you could carry 5 CDs with you and get through it with ease.
OiP: What other DJs have influenced your sound?
Donni1: Some DJs that have influenced me over the years have been Frankie Knuckles, Miguel Migs, Brian Tappert, DJ Gregory, Bob Sinclar and Martin Solveig.
OiP: If you were putting together a dream lineup for a weekend bash at KU DE TA, who would be on the bill? What would be the setup?
Donni1: Over dinner-time I would have a levitation and magic performance from David Blaine. Then Prince would perform live with George Michael, before I take over at the DJ booth.
OiP: Anything else you would like to share with your fans back in Perth? Words to live by, fashion tips, shameless self-promotion…
Donni1: Get yourself the new KU DE TA vol 2 CD/DVD… go home and play it loud. And be good to your mother.
KU DE TA: 2 Sunset Soundtracks is out now through Level Two Music / Madman.
