Della (Cameron Delahunty) has been playing Brisbane’s pub and clubs for many years. He has played at some of Brisbane's hottest places such as Jade Buddha, The Normanby, Sixes and Sevens and The Met to name a few. He now calls the Met home, where you can find him playing solo or as a Duo with his partner in crime Hamo almost every weekend. I have known Della for a very long time and I can say that he could be playing and producing some of his best sets yet.

 

You will often find Della warming up for some of the biggest acts on the planet, which is an art in its self. His set before Paul Van Dyk could be one of the best set I have seen him play and possible one of the best sets I have seen at The Met.

 

Come with me as I step behind the decks with Della

 

 

What got you started in DJing and where was your first set? 

My father was massively into electronic music and use to play in electronic bands in Sydney. We would sit up at night and watch Depeche Mode concerts on TV and listen to a range of electronic artists such as Moby and The Chemical Brothers when I was in school. He even gave me one of the old Scene magazines so I could keep up to date with all the acts that were scheduled for Brisbane. I remember the first time I walked into the Family nightclub and heard DJ Goodwill drop It’s Too Late by Evermore (Dirty South Remix). From that point on I was obsessed to say the least! I bought some decks and practiced non stop in my room with RCA cables attached to my TV’s speakers. My first gig was at the Fox Hotel on the rooftop playing disco and deep house when I was 19 years old. I was very lucky because Fox Sundays turned into the biggest Sunday event in Brisbane and from there I started getting noticed and booked at other venues and onto festivals. 

 

How have you seen the scene in Brisbane change over the years? 

I would say the scene has changed in the sense that the attention span of the punters has become a lot smaller. Due to technology, music has become so easily accessible and the punters want something new and fresh constantly. People are so educated with music now and they really do know their shit with all the platforms available to them. So many new artists and tracks are popping up that you really need to be on your toes with song selection and performances as a dj. Personally, I think the scene has become a lot bigger and there is a wider audience now, which is fantastic. What I think has changed the most is the connection and relationships between the punters and residents and the music they play, this is simply because now there is so much more music and way more dj’s. Shorter sets and way more acts have made it a bit harder for residents to build a loyal following. But it’s a catch 22, as now there are way more acts to support and more venues pushing electronic music. It’s about standing out in your own way I think. 

 

You have been a resident at the Met for a few years now, how did you land that gig? 

I was playing at an event called Nostalgia at a venue called Sky Lotus that was put together by some local legends Benny Lodge and Johnathan Jackson. It was basically a night dedicated to all the dance classics we love from all the old Ministry Of Sound CD’s ect. One of the other dj’s that was asked to play was Pete Smith, who at the time was the entertainment manager for The Met. By this point I had been djing 4 nights a week for around 6 years and had a fair bit of experience. He heard me play that night and two weeks later he emailed me to play a Saturday night at The Met in the main room. From that point on I was a resident and he mentored me and taught me how to take my djing to the next level. I owe a lot to Pete Smith, who in my opinion, is one of the best main room dj’s Brisbane has seen, alongside Habebe and Baby Gee.

 

If you had to pick a style/Genre to play forever what would it be? 

Progressive House!!! The Adam K and Soha sound is unbeatable!!!

 

What has been your favourite moment as a fan and as a DJ? 

As a fan I would say watching Eric Prydz in a tent at Tomorrowland completely twisted.

As a dj it would be the first time I warmed up for Will Sparks at the Met in 2014. It was the first capacity main room I had played to, and I got massive props from Will and the team. It was from that point I felt yeah, I deserve to be here
 

What's one bit of advice you would give to up and coming acts? 

Be a good dude! Because you're going to make a tonne of mistakes and you’re only going to become really good if you keep getting opportunities. It's all practice and time. No one wants to help out a fuck wit. Attitude and gratitude is everything.

 

Favorite non-dance music song?

Wow. That’s a hard one. Red Hot Chilli Peppers – Under the Bridge

 

If you were not a DJ what do you think you would be? 

I’m currently completing university studies  to be a social worker, but to be honest, I wouldn’t want to be anything else other than a dj. The dream job is to travel the world playing music. I mean how do you beat that?!

 

What is on your personal Spotify playlist? 

Red Hot Chilli Peppers, MK, Pryda, Moby, Rufus and more Rufus

 

What can everyone expect from your mix tomorrow? 

Summer Melodic Festival Vibes. Just in time for the party season!

 

What's the craziest thing you have seen from Behind the Decks? 

I don’t even know where to begin there. Yeah best not go there!

 

Don't forget to watch out for Della's exclusive mix for Behind The Deck's followers launching tomorrow from midday!!

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Be sure to follow Della on his socials. 

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Last year Della took a trip to Europe and set foot on the Holy Grounds of Tomorrowland for the first time. He was so inspired he put together this mix.