A four-time DMC Online World finalist as well as 2005 NZ DMC DJ Champion (as The Abbott), Ole Mate From Pirie is one of ten finalists in the 2020 Australian DMC DJ Championships.
Now residing in South Australia (Roxby Downs), Ole Mate From Pirie first began battling in 1998. "This set was special for the fact I paid homage to the first people of this nation, the Indigenous people of Australia, the Aboriginals #FirstNation."What does it mean to be a finalist in the 2020 Australian DMC DJ Championships?
It's different in a sense because I'm representing for an another country and special at the same time. It's a honour to represent my small town of Roxby Downs (5725) in South Australia on a national scale.
We have grown to love this country with the great opportunities it has blessed our family. In my qualifying set, I repped for the Indigenous people of this land. Being an Indigenous Maori of New Zealand, we feel very connected to the Aboriginal people.
The creative and practical aspects of your championship video set; how's it all coming together?
It's progressing nicely, just piecing things together slowly but surely and trying to tick all the boxes without losing my personal integrity.
So in other words, I'm just messing around until I like what I hear, hahahaha!
Describe your championship video set in six words?
JUDGE ME ON SKILLS!!!! NOT EQUIPMENT.
How many hours/ days have you put aside to practice your routine; and biggest sacrifice you've had to make to maintain that focus?
Not enough seriously hahaha! We have four children with our youngest (four-year-old girl) who has special needs. She was born with Down Syndrome who we devote our time to (her name is Devocean).
At the moment, it's trying to maintain a healthy, balanced life with work, kids, music etc. So 3:30am wake-ups and very late nights for me until this competition is finished.
Who has been the biggest influence re: your own scratching techniques?
Invisibl Skratch Piklz were my sole and initial influence back in the day, then the X-Men and The Allies. But DJ Craze is the GOAT of this; he always brings fire every time he performs or drops videos.
When you're not home practising your turntable skills, where can we find you DJing when COVID allows it?
At our local, the Roxby Downs Tavern. The South Australian outback is very fortunate; I have still been playing for the last 14 weekends in a row. Obviously to seated crowds and totally different vibes, but feel very blessed considering with what's happening in the world.
Don't get ahead of yourself; from the other finalists, who’s your pick to be crowned Australian champion?
Me. F... everyone hahahaha! It's going to be tight. You got the OG legend himself, J Red coming out of retirement. You got Max Best on that innovative crazy new technology styles. Then you got my man Wallzee with that straight "I'm gonna give you a jab to your throat" style.
Australia DMC so needed this battle. It's going to be epic.
You're at a party and someone asks what exactly turntablism is, how do you respond?
It's like porn. . . you either love it. . . or hate it.
To watch Ole Mate From Pirie's routine and comment, visit the official DMC page.
The Australian finalists will each upload a new, four-minute set by 15 October (national finals streamed on 18 October), with the national winner announced on 25 October. The global DMC champion will be crowned 30 November.
