Scotty is one of the bigger names on the local scene in Brisbane. Having signed multiple tracks to some of the biggest labels, I can see why the DJ is so popular, as he regularly has a full dance floor till 5 am at his home club of The Met. Scotty has been one of my favourite local acts for many years now, his sets are always high energy with driving electro coupled with big drops you can not do anything but dance.

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Come with me as we step behind the decks with Scotty R

 

How did it all start for you? 

Well, this started in a few places I suppose. From back in NZ where a mate of mine and I were mucking around in a lounge room with a couple of Vinyl players and a mixer. Then by chance, we happen to know a DJ in a club which played the early days of trance. He comes up to me and says "Hey bro, can you mix the next song I really need a toilet break." I was sure!! Then next minute, 30 mins had gone by. To be honest it was one very scary moment and god knows how the mixing was. But the feeling I was getting from the crowd had me hooked. I just kept imagining I was on the dancefloor with them. I have always loved trance and it holds a very dear spot in my heart. 

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Who is your biggest inspiration? /Whom do you have a lot of respect for?

Actually, this could be many people, but if I had to name one it would be Hans Zimmer. The composing and production skills of this man are on a completely different level to most. He has such a talent that no matter what piece of music he is working on it sounds emotional and complete.

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Where do you think the scene is headed? Five years from now?

Tough questions here hehe. Well, I have always found Australia to be slightly different from the rest of the world. Most of the largest festivals in the world have huge EDM names playing on the main stage but always have space for the other genres no matter the style. Here is a little different, we seem to have a lot of space for up and coming music genres in the house scene and always open our ears to other styles with some fantastic genres for everyone. I believe the scene would be suited to any style you just need to look around with the different options we have here in Australia to know that its going to be colourful.

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What is your opinion regarding the difference between old school DJing where everything was restricted to vinyl and modern DJing where most tracks are never put on any physical medium before or after release?

I don’t really have an opinion on this, as I certainly loved the exclusive sounds of the as you would say “old school Djing” in night clubs. But in the same token, I think it’s great that we can unearth sounds/production from people who otherwise wouldn’t have even tried to express themselves through music.

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Do you think this has hurt exclusivity of having a certain sound? A DJ's ability to have a "unique" style?

No not at all, I believe we as DJs have our own unique way of expressing our music. You could have two DJ’s play the same set but a completely different feeling from it. There is certainly a time and place to introduce the exclusive tracks and if you have the crowd with you, they will love it. 

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Is having your own style separate from all the other DJs out there important to you?

Yes, it is. If I played like everyone else and did not have my own spin on it, wouldn’t it be boring etc. I want to be different whether it is my energy or the way I do my sets. I want to be apart of something in that moment that we all will remember.

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What is one mistake you see a lot of up and coming DJs making? 

We could be here a while now haha, Joking. I think a lot of up and comers seem to be focused on one style and do not explore what other genres offer. It’s great to play another genre and feel the way the producer has made the track. It teaches you to mix tighter and introduce some cool mashups.

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What advice would you give to aspiring DJs?

Explore all music and get a feel for why it has been produced. Listen to others and learn as much as you can. Above all else have FUN!!

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What is something that bugs you about the DJ scene?

Nothing really bugs me to much about it, I think people create their own environment around it. If you want to be negative, you should expect negative experiences. If your positive and truly respect your fellow DJs, you will go a long way with in this industry.

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What is one track that never gets old for you no matter how many times you hear it?

There are far too many!! One that springs to mind and always puts a smile on my face (plus Goose Bumps on my arms) would have to be Moby - Raining Again (Steve Angello Vocal Mix). WHAT A TUNE!!!

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f you could eternally be stuck in one year's music scene, which year would it be?

Umm far to hard to answer!! I think back over the years and every year has some amazing music that you could play now and still love it.

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What is one track that got popular that you can't stand?

No Comment haha!!

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What's on your personal Spotify playlist?

Old School Tracks through to my current favourites - this includes tracks from the likes of Pink Floyd, Hans Zimmer and all the way through to Swedish House Mafia.

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Favourite non-dance music song? 

Eagles - Hotel California

 

What single night out has been the most memorable for you? As a DJ? As an attendee?

There have been so many experiences that we would be here all night going over it trying to find my favourite one. I have been on stage with the best in the world and partied with them afterwards. Travelled to see some of the most amazing sets played by them and have been fortunate enough to have supported them by either warming up or closing for them. 

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What is coming up for you? 

You will have to wait and see!! I have some pretty massive big room tracks I am working on and can’t wait to send them to the powers that be to push them out there!! I am lucky enough to have forged some pretty good relationships with some of the biggest labels in the world to get some great feedback and to fine-tune my art.

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What’s the craziest thing you have seen from behind the decks? 

Is this an R Rated interview, because I have seen some crazy stuff going on out in the crowd for sure! Let’s leave it to the imagination.

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 We will be dropping a fresh mix from Scotty tomorrow!

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Make sure you follow Scotty on his Socials below.

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