Written by Kylie Vesey

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SPARROW might come across as a cute little bird's name that will just hover and make noise, but this Brisbane-based DJ is anything but! 

 

Emerging from the coastal town of Coffs Harbour, SPARROW now calls home to the thriving town of Brisbane. From a very early age, SPARROW had a great passion for music, having learnt piano at a young age and progressing to teaching throughout his high school years. 

 

SPARROW began his DJ journey as a wedding DJ back in 2010 and has since embedded himself into the EDM scene, having played in numerous pubs and nightclubs across the east coast of Australia. 

 

SPARROW transported himself into the scene following his presence in the 2018's Brisbane's Your Shot competition. Fast forward to 2020, SPARROW now has his own weekly radio show "Sparrow's Drop N Rum Radio" on Gold Coast's hit radio station Radio Metro 105.7FM and shows no signs of slowing down.

 

Come with me as I step Behind The Decks with SPARROW

 

How did the early years look for SPARROW, when did you first realise that you wanted to make and perform music?

Well, how far back do you want to go haha…I would say it was 2008. I moved out of home for the first time and was mucking around on Virtual DJ without even a controller and instantly fell in love. Then in 2010, I became a wedding DJ in Brisbane and that was my first public appearance. I loved being in front of a crowd and seeing them react to what I was doing so from there I knew I wanted to perform for people.

 

We notice you are an active piano player, is this where your passion for DJing came from? How do you find this has progressed you into the DJ you are today?

Yeah, for sure. My piano playing had a huge influence on me as a DJ. Growing up I always played movie themes and I try to incorporate that into my sets. I’m an avid learner of dance songs on piano and love hearing a piano-driven dance anthem. “Leave the World Behind” - Swedish House Mafia and “Pjanoo” - Eric Prydz are among my favourites.

 

Do you play any other instruments or is there anything else you’d like to learn?

No, unfortunately, the piano is the only instrument I can play. I couldn’t play guitar to save my life, so I wouldn’t mind taking that up one day.

 

You are originally from the small town of Coffs Harbour, I was born in Coffs and know some of the challenges a smaller town can face. What were some of the hurdles you found wanting to be a DJ in a small coastal town?

You are from Coffs as well? No way! Yeh, it’s very hard starting out in a small town such as Coffs Harbour, for sure. There are only a few places to play. You really must know someone within the industry and fortunately, I had a friend of a friend set me up with my first pub gig in 2015.

 

You competed in 2018's Your Shot DJ competition, what did you take away from this experience? What advice can you offer to others thinking of entering?

My advice is GO FOR IT! It was so much fun and still one of my favourite nights to date. You meet so many great people, make new friends and everyone is so encouraging. Since then I’ve seen so many DJ’s rise up in the industry and it’s got me to where I am today. There are 100 DJ’s over two whole days, there’s nothing else like it. 

 

Take me through the sounds you like to create as a DJ, what do you look for when creating a set?

Every set I make I try to be unique, be different, you know stand out. Songs that everyone knows but doesn’t necessarily hear all the time. I grew up listening to all the old school musicals; you say the name Frank Sinatra to the new generation and they have no idea who he is, but you play “My Way” or “New York, New York” and they’ll sing the lyrics. Yes, there actually was a time before Michael Buble.

I love my electro anthems and remixes. “My People” - The Presets and “Let Me Think About It” - Fedde Le Grand & Ida Corr are the two songs that influence my sound for sure.

 

If you could play one track in a set, no matter the genre, what would you choose and why?

Probably “Let Me Think About It” - Fedde Le Grand & Ida Corr. This is SPARROW in a nutshell! All my best mates know me as this song. I used this song so many times in my early days that it became my song.

 

We’ve listened to your mixes you have been uploading on MixCloud and they are sick, what can we expect from you in the coming months?

More and more mixes really. I love experimenting so you’ll be hearing me put together remixes from songs you thought couldn’t be remixed. I am super passionate about finding that one great remix, which sometimes can be such a challenge, but when you do it’s so rewarding.

 

What is your greatest achievement as a DJ as far, one thing that when you think about it, you go WOW that really happened?

For sure it was my first set on the Gold Coast mid-2019. Playing to a packed-out dance floor was wild, then afterwards being asked to have your own DJ show was such an achievement. I thought it would be ages before I got to play somewhere in Goldy, so when it happened I was so grateful.

 

Who are some of your ultimate influences who have paved the way for you as an artist and what do you draw from them?

The Presets and Peking Duk for sure; I love Aussie music and not just dance duos. I love the Hilltop Hoods, Swedish House Mafia and Calvin Harris are definitely up there for me too. These guys have so many strong hits, they really have drawn me into songs that have piano-driven beats in them.

 

What are some of the things you think the DJ scene has here in Australia could do better?

Australia has such a huge music scene and also a big drinking culture, that’s just us Aussies. I feel people go to music festivals more for the fashion and to get obliterated these days and the DJ’s and bands aren’t a priority and that’s so sad. There’s so much talent out there, I think we need to be supporting and listening to all the talent a bit more sober and move away from the festival drinking culture. 😊

 

Now I must ask what made you choose SPARROW, is there an interesting story you can share with us?

Jack Sparrow is one of my favourite movie characters of all time and I wanted something simple and easy to remember. Just one word too.  

I didn’t, however, want to be associated with the character but I think it’s just turned out that way.

 

Ok, for a little fun. You are stuck on an island, but you can take one thing with you, what do you take?

That’s easy…Orange Juice I love the stuff. I never buy it now because I can’t keep it in the fridge overnight, it needs to be drunk. All the nutrients for being stuck on an island!

 

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

I won’t disclose the venue but a big brawl broke out at the front of the dance floor. It was less than a couple metres away from where I was playing. Security had to drag them outside and the whole venue shut down hours early because of it. Totally crazy!!!

 

There you have it, a look into the world of SPARROW. I was stoked to be able to interview someone who is really trying to push the boundaries and create a different view on the dance music scene. This is just the beginning for this talented DJ and I am looking forward to following his journey. Be sure to tune into Radio Metro 105.7FM either online or mobile every Monday morning at 1am to hear the sweet sounds of SPARROW.