The Australian street performer has spent the better part of the last decade travelling around Europe plying his trade (loop artistry) to hundreds of thousands, literally.
You've performed in 40 different countries, sold over 100,000 records, played Coachella, Glastonbury, have half-a-million Facebook likes... yet, you are virtually unknown in your own country; does that bother you?
Not at all. In fact I prefer going home to relax, not play shows four nights a week.
More importantly, what does that say about Australia's acceptance of fringe artists and their work?
It shows that success is a numbers game. The more people crammed into a space, the more $ you can make with something that’s good. Australia is as big as Europe but has only 25 million people! It’s impossible to make a living if you’re not doing the most commercial thing possible.
You have steered clear of the major labels and other well-established marketing arms... has that been a deliberate approach to keep control of your art?
Originally it was because I realised that going through the industry wasn’t working for me. I abandoned the idea of being a pop star and decided to do something with substance and bring it to the street. Once that began to work, I realised the power of creating your own market outside the industry and I let it snowball on its own!
Despite the success you have achieved off your own bat, would you ever consider working with a multinational to further lift your profile?
As long as I don’t have to compromise my artistic integrity, I don’t see why not.
For those unfamiliar with looping, what's the best layman explanation you have to describe what you're doing on stage?
Beatbox into a sampler to create a drum loop, I then use effects over my voice to layer harmonies and bass sounds. Once I have a groove going, I sing and rap over the top. Everything is made live in the moment only using my voice and modern technology.
Image © FacebookWhat's your favourite piece of on-stage equipment?
I have no favourites, but the microphone is the only thing I can’t live without!
Have you had time to look back at what you've managed to achieve so far... is it spine-tingling?
I’m very proud of my efforts and extremely grateful for those who helped me get to this point. My whole career is literally fuelled by word of mouth. I do believe that anyone can achieve the same results as me, it’s just a matter of going out and making it happen. I didn't have any fluke moments or lucky breaks; my videos now have over 20-million views, but it was never a viral explosion – it’s taken eight years to slowly build this snowball effect!
You were in Europe earlier in the year for a tour; the photos on your Facebook page show an amazing scene where you’re in a local square on a makeshift stage and there are hundreds, thousands of faces staring intently at what you do... do you enjoy that aspect of the performance?
That’s my favourite part of performing. It’s easy when fans already love you and are ready to hear your music, but it’s way more exciting to see new people come into my space and watch their jaws drop. I love seeing the reaction I get when people watch me build up a track in front of them!
Tell us a bit about the new stage show; you have fellow Melburnian Andy V on stage with you...
Andy and I have just finished 130 shows together in 35 different countries since February! We are so comfortable together on stage, but that’s because we used to do fully improvised jazz gigs every week, ten years ago! He is an animal and I love watching people soak in his talent!
Looking back at your early years busking... how important was that time to your development as a musician both technically and working a crowd?
Words can’t explain how important that was! It taught me to perform, communicate and most of all do what I do! One hour on the street is like six months in your bedroom! My performance chops quantum leaped once I started street performing… not to mention the fact that within a year I was selling 100 CDs an hour! By my third year I had sold 100,000 records! Hence how I created my own success.
You would have witnessed some bizarre/ strange/ weird stuff busking... anything that sticks out?
To many to mention; in fact it became so normal to me that nothing really sticks out. There was this one time in Camden Market, London, where a police officer told me I couldn't street perform just as I was setting up. I waited for her to leave and did it anyway; an hour into the show I looked up and saw her dancing in the crowd!
Has there been a moment where you knew at the time it was going to change your career forever?
Around the tenth time I went out busking, I realised that I had sold 60 CDs in 2 hours! This was a record for me at the time. I remember doing the maths and figured out that if I did it four times a week for the next four years I could sell around 50,000 records… and if everyone of those people told at least one other person I could potentially have 100,000 fans, not to mention the people who stopped to watch, but didn't buy a CD. It was inspiring for me and ultimately led me to carry on and do what I did!
Image © FacebookYou're headed to Earth Frequency's tenth anniversary event... while you're not well-know commercially in Oz, the underground electronic scene have embraced you... you looking forward to getting back and playing to such a crowd?
Absolutely! Conscious, bass loving people are my family!
I'm assuming you would have played, been a punter at a previous Earth Freq; if so, favourite memory/ experience?
Unfortunately I’ve never been! I moved to Europe eight years ago and didn’t really come back till now. But I’m super pumped to check it out!
2015 for Dub FX; what do you have cooking in the studio/ other artistic endeavours?
A new album, new live show, same old filth! Peace.
Dub FX plays Earth Frequency Festival, which takes place at Ivory’s Rock, SE Qld, from the 13-16 February, 2015.
