Written by Kylie Vesey

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Highup is fast becoming one of the biggest names in the Australia EDM scene, with tracks being signed to Showtek and Marcel Wood’s label “2Dutch”, he is quickly receiving international support from all over the world. Highup is no stranger to a heavy Bass drop, being known for his incredible Electro energy and genre-fusing skills, he is becoming a household name on dance floors all over. 

Known as the man in red, our very own Aussie DJ and producer Highup is so much more, proving that if you push the boundaries and reach for the stars, you can have a taste of it all. We caught up with this emerging DJ and producer on the back of his latest track release 'Thinkin’ Bout U'. It’s a little slower than his past releases, but we can give you the insider's word; it’s still energetic and upbeat, and we cannot get enough of it!

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Come with me as I step Behind The Decks with Highup. 

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Congratulations on the release of your latest track 'Thinkin’ Bout U” (released on the 8th May) you must be stoked for another release! Where did the inspiration for this track come from, as it has this very Indie-Dance vibe about it? 

Thank you! Yeah, this has been a long time coming. I wanted to do something different. It’s all about the journey in music to me, from start to finish. The sounds, vocals, melodies and everything needed to come together and when the vocals hit this track, it just came alive! The vocalist on this track was great to work with, even the raw cut, I didn’t have to do much with it at all.

 

Having a radio show on 105.7 Radio Metro, you are no stranger to the hit station, as you also feature on their broadcasted live stream on Twitch TV where we’ve been watching and you have been throwing down some serious goods! Is live streams something we will see more from you in the future? 

Haha oh I hope my dance moves were up to the standard haha! I think this is something that’s going to open up a lot of doors for artists, as I have seen that Facebook is looking at doing a charge system for streams. Mixcloud has got all copyrights worldwide, so it’s definitely looking like a change is going to happen after all of this.

 

June 2019 saw you feature as Aria Charts ‘DJ Of The Week’. Being featured on such an iconic Australian record platform would have been one of those pinch-me moments. Did you find having been elevated through the Aria Charts helped with growing your following? 

Yes of course it’s opened up such a great network into all these DJs that I used to look up to growing up. Such as Andy Murphy and all the Onelove CDs he did, he also did a remix for‘Okay Okay’ - Bombs Away (listen on Spotify here) and I was blown away as well as with how much of a great bloke he is! Everyone is just so supportive and wanting to help each other and that is what it’s all about, supporting each other sharing and loving.

 

You have toured and collaborated with Aussie DJs Bombs Away, this year releasing a single “Big Bad Doof” with them. What was it like working with another successful Aussie DJ duo, what were the key things you took away from the process?

Sketch and Tommy are awesome guys, I really get along with them and my brand is just as out there in style as they are. They are both hard workers and they have so many ideas! When we did the music video for 'Okay Okay’ , the creativity of putting something on a storyboard and making it come alive was amazing and you see how hard the boys have worked to get to where they have reached, I take my glasses off to them, they do not stop. 

 

We love that you dress up each time you play! I’m interested to know how the all red outfit came about, where the idea came from? Is this going to be the forever trademark Highup look? 

Haha the red outfit is always the main convo when I come into the interview haha! Well funnily enough, it all started off with my mates and for a birthday gathering. I just bought these red jeans so I just rolled with it, red jeans and red shoes - it’s out there I know! I went to a Japanese restaurant for my birthday and well, all my mates could not stop talking about it and gave me so much shit for it! It was a talking point, so then I had this photo shoot come up and had to work out what outfits to wear and everything.  Then it just clicked and I was like “Why don’t I just wear all red?” I love red, so why don’t I just do it so that’s what I did! I think the red is definitely a talking point, it’s my brand and I love wearing it. I still get asked why and who’s the guy in the red, that don’t know me, haha

 

Your track “Disco Nights” gained support from big names including R3HAB, Nicky Romero, Showtek, Laidback Luke and Brooks. Having already received support from so many big names, who is one DJ that you would love to support you on a track release?

I actually was going to say Timmy Trumpet, but he supported it last night so that’s off the list haha! 

 

One could say that you are certainly making a mark on the music industry, having already signed tracks to labels such as Spinnin’ Records, Multiplayer, Ultra Music & 2-Dutch Records. Take us through what is next for Highup, where do you see yourself heading with your music?

It’s been crazy, so much has happened in the last few years now. I would say the next step is overseas and making a mark into Asia, the U.S and Europe, and just see what happens from there. I’m just building, making music and having fun, whilst making a lot of mates on the way.

 

We’ve come across a very entertaining new track you have shared “Everyone's talking about the beers, but what about Andrew?” I can say it gave me a great laugh. Could we see you possibly release this one?  

That actually was a joke at first and then it turned into a full song as a meme, as it works so well haha, I’m going to put it out soon as a free download. I’m sure that will be played in the clubs after this is all over haha!

 

The Highup Facebook page has hit over 4 million video views and continues to grow. What goes into creating a social media platform that reaches levels like that, with views by so many people? 

It’s just about good content, good direction and making sure you market to an audience that will share, like and comment. Promotion is also king!

 

With you making so many waves in the music industry I am sure there are big things to come. Thinking about the next year, what can we expect from Highup, what do you want to achieve? 

My next leap will be pushing into festivals and big shows with production... my main goal at the moment is just building Highup to an international level now.

 

And finally, we ask everyone the same closing question. What is the craziest thing you have seen from behind the decks?

The crazy thing hrmmmm... hahaha actually it was a mate and I, we used to play in this club on the Gold Coast and he got so wasted that he passed out in this box behind me, which went over the cdjs and mixers for Security. After my set he was still asleep in the box half naked, as he took all his clothes off and had thrown them into the crowd hahaha!!!

 

Well, there you have it folks, a look inside all things Highup. We love the passion that he brings to each and every set and are super proud to be supporting Australian talent. 

One thing that we are seeing more of, is great Aussie producers and DJs making a name for themselves, and that is just what Highup is doing. We cannot wait to follow his journey as he pushes into the international scene. If you need a pick me up tune into one of the many live streams Highup is doing in these times of isolation. You can catch all the details of his streams, releases and what's coming by following Higup’s socials below.