The name Preston has been around the Brisbane electronic music scene for many years. First came Chris, and after a few years playing together, Chris past the torch to younger brother Anthony. Anthony (Prestō) has since taken the Preston name to new heights, with opening and closing for some of the biggest acts on the planet. He also has headlined some of the biggest clubs in the country and host his own nights at The Met Prestō & Friends.
Come with me as I step Behind The Decks with Presto
How did you get your start?
Well believe it or not I actually started off in a duo with my brother. Just before that, I was freshly 18 and my brother had done a few solo gigs at GPO which was something that influenced me a lot. I was trying to land some GPO/Met Main room sets when Chris (my brother) linked me with one of the booking managers from Revelry. My first set was an open in Coco (The Met) and the rest is history. After doing opens and closes in Coco for about 6+ months with Chris, we eventually became residents. Later down the track I went solo, which from there I played in Coco for about 2 years and later started getting booked in the main room, which is where you’ll generally see me now but I do occasionally hop between the two.
In 2017 you opened for Malaa and only a few weeks ago you took to the stage after Malaa. What were the big differences between the two experiences?
Between the two sets: Hmmm, in terms of differences there weren’t that many - there were many similarities between the two - both sets were unreal, the crowd and the vibe! Playing to a crowd kicking on after a festival is something else. Especially when they’re after some of the biggest artists in the scene. Hopping on after Malaa I definitely had the opportunity to play more of a ‘Presto’ set but nonetheless, both sets are definitely in my top 5 I’ve done in the past 3-4 years!
So can you tell us, WHO is Malaa?
Haha where’s the fun in it if I told you? I'll give you a hint. He’s a French artist that has been in the music scene for many years before the Malaa project even started.
The scene in Brisbane has been going through some changes, do you find your self trying to change with it?
I wouldn’t say I change with the scene, but I definitely do adapt. Sometimes I’ll make edits with new genres or vocal songs that are trending to get some engagement with the crowd. At the end of the day I have a job to do when I play in the club, and that’s to cater to the majority of punters that walk onto the dance floor whilst also playing a set suitable to the time I’m on (and also suitable to the artists I’m warming up for/playing after). I will still always try and play a set that someone can listen to and go “oh that’s a Prestō set” whether it be an open or close. The main thing I make sure of is that I’m still having fun. What’s the point if you don’t enjoy it? If you catch a headline Prestō set then it’s a different story, I’ll 100% do me.
You have hosted your own shows in the past “Prestō and Friends” will we see you putting this on again?
Presto & Friends: I’d definitely want to do this again in the future. I love supporting people who have always been big supporters of myself, so to get the opportunity to get some good friends behind the decks was a pretty good feeling.
What artists are you listening to at the moment?
I’m always listening to Chris Lorenzo, Chris Lake, Malaa, Habstrakt, Joyryde, Golden Features, Biscits, Sonny Fodera, MK, CamelPhat, Solardo, Rufus, Zhu... A few different genres, but mainly house music. There are also a lot of labels constantly pushing quality music that I’m always following; Solotoko, Sola, Repopulate Mars, Confession, Solid Grooves... the list goes on!!
Do you have any new music in the works?
I’ve been quietly producing for a short while now but I don’t plan on releasing anything soon until I can consistently push good music. I’m aiming to have some stuff out next year.
If you could collaborate with anyone living or dead who would it be and why?
There are a lot of artists I could name here. To keep it more relevant to my music I’d probably say Chris Lake or Joyryde - both these artists are super creative and constantly push the boundaries.
For people that have not seen you play before what can they expect?
A whole heap of house music. I’m a sucker for groovy/heavy bass lines that bring a lot of energy, so that’s definitely something to expect. When the time is right I’ll also drop some originals or edits of songs which I listened to 5-10 years ago which first got me into electronic music.
What’s coming up for you?
I’ve got two gigs coming up which I’m super excited about. I’ll be supporting Matroda on the 2nd of November and a headline set on the 30th of November which I’ll announce later. I have another exciting gig coming up later this year which I’ll hopefully be able to share the details about soon!
What’s the craziest thing you have seen from behind the decks?
Haha... I’ve seen some stuff over the past couple of years. When I’ve been playing I have seen people fall/jump from the balcony at The Met (this has happened on more than one occasion I may add haha).
I’ll keep the backstage stuff under wraps....
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