Dr Don-Don Interview: tropical beats, stat!
/
I'm pretty happy to be bringing you one of the first of many more artist interviews for this blog, especially because it's Dr Don-Don.
One of the things I've loved about the development of music over the past one or two years – particularly underground electronic and dance music – has been the convergence of sounds from hip hop and idm to the progression of dubstep, the re-emergence of garage (future garage, if you must) and a willingness of many producers, who have previously shied away, to embrace more danceable beats.
I feel like it's one of those periods that come around every ten years or so. There's an unusual amount of exciting music and a lot of people are prepared to make and listen to broader, more interesting and even experimental sounds.
Enter Dr. Don-Don. You might know Chris Hamer-Smith better by his Chasm moniker, with his own productions as well as his album with Vida-Sunshyne or as part of Astronomy Class.
He's one of the country's best beat makers always bringing the reggae flavours strong and a master of the MPC.
So I was surprised to hear his new project, Dr Don-Don, when I heard the reworking of KillaQueenz Break The Rules, up-tempo, four-to-the-floor tropical beats. Given Chris's previous output it was the last thing I expected. What's unsurprising is that it's great.
KillaQueenz - Break The Rules (Dr Don-Don Remix) by drdondon1
To cut a long story short, I wanted to find out the reasons for this musical departure and a heap of other stuff... And I mean a heap! Dr Don-Don was kind enough to oblige.
Although there's still a definite reggae influence with Dr Don-Don, I think you'll agree it's a fairly big departure from anything you've done previously; was it a natural progression, a distinct attempt at something more dancefloor/poppy or something else?
Yes it's definitely an attempt at something different. I have made really slow, laidback music and I have made a lot of mid-tempo music with all the hip hop I have produced but I have never made anything uptempo, so I just wanted to have some fun and experiment with making more uptempo stuff and some tracks that are a bit poppier as I've always made fairly underground music.
Unfortunately, I have quite a short attention span too, I'm always on to the next thing, probably to my detriment, so this is just a natural thing for me also, trying out new ways of creating music and keeping things interesting for myself.
Personally, I've felt as though there has been a real convergence of musical styles over the past couple of years, grime producers are making house (well everyone says they're making house), Kanye West has made pop music out of hip hop; do you feel like people are more accepting of a broader or more diverse sound from producers?
I would agree that it's all crossing over at the moment, with indie dance, UK funky, Australian rappers rapping on guitar music (grose), the lines are definitely blurring which is great for producers because it enables you to try different things and use different sounds and tempos but keep it all under the one moniker.
You've previously released on Obese which is a fairly staunch hip hop label, do you feel like there'll be some negative feedback from those listeners to Dr Don-Don, or do you see it as an entirely separate project?
Oh for sure I'll cop some hate! haha. But it is an entirely separate project for a reason. I like to make a certain type of hip hop and I don't want to compromise that as it is my contribution to the culture and I want to represent myself the right way. But making rap music is only part of my world. I have always made different types of music from punk to post-rock to ambient noise, so this new project as Dr Don-Don is just a natural progression for me, experimenting with a new style and just making music. I love making music.
Currently you've done a couple of remixes (such as Yolanda B Cool and KillaQueenz) as well as original tracks such as No Other featuring vocalist Joyride [video below]; who else is Dr Don-Don gonna be working with? Are you planning an album or just some singles?
I'm working towards either an EP or full-length album, the past 6-12 months I have just been making tracks and trying to see how the project is going to take form. Now I feel ready to start putting together a release. I have just finished a track with a vocalist from Sydney, Elizabeth Rose. She has a great voice and I would like to work more with her in the future. I have a couple more collaborators in the works that I better not speak on until things are made more concrete. Definitely going to build the name into something, I have big ideas for the Doc!
Dr Don Don 'No Other' feat. Joyride from Versus Media on Vimeo.
You're well known as a master of the MPC, and correct me if I'm wrong, but your production under Chasm and Astronomy Class has all started with the MPC beats and loops, is Dr Don-Don the same, or have you had to approach things differently?
It has all started on the MPC. It's the piece of kit I am most comfortable on and feel most creative on. However because I'm using a lot less samples for the Don-Don stuff I'm based more on the computer now too. Which has been nice, to get to know some new software and try different ways of putting together beats. I'm currently working a few different ways, either on the MPC 5000 and Pro Tools, or working in Logic with Native Instruments, Maschine. I can see myself switching over from the MP to the Maschine, its just a matter of learning it properly. The Maschine is awesome though, could be the ultimate MPC killer as it has such good integration with the computer but still has the hardware feel about it. I am also using Kontakt a lot for Dr Don-Don and have a large artillery of soft synths I dip in to as well.
For those who don't know, you started out your musical life as part of a post-rock group. Why and how did you end up producing hip hop and electronic music?
I played for a few years around 2000 in a post-rock group called Ukiyo-e, prior to that I played in bands in my late teens also. I always played guitar and some drums and keys too but when Ukiyo-e came together we had one mini-moog, a moog source and an Akai 3000xl sampler, as well as the usual rock setup of guitars and drums. I guess this was my initial introduction to sampling and synths and it was from here I started to gain interest in programming music and electronic sounds. After this I started messing around with Reason and a few other bits of software on my computer and it just kept developing from there.
Do you think there's anything from your time in a band that you've applied to your hip hop production?
Definitely, I think I can use the musicality and songwriting skills learnt from playing in bands to flesh out hip hop loops into more full sounding, more interesting productions.
You've worked with a lot of different MCs and vocalists; when making tracks/beats, do you do so with a vocalist in mind or does that come later?
It normally just comes later, I will just make beats and then look back and think about who would suit what beats.
You've recently started a family, do you think this has had an influence on the music you're making?
To begin with I regained my love for ambient music when we first had our baby, Marlowe. But now to be honest I'm back to listening to all the stuff I'm normally in to.
Are there any any plans to eventually take Dr Don-Don on the road?
Yes, once I have something out besides a single I would love to get it on the road, I would like to make it a live show rather than just a DJ setup.
It seems like a lot of hip hop based producers feel pressure to create a live show beyond the DJs or live sample triggering, such as you have previously done; have you ever felt the pressure to do this? What are your thoughts on hip hop crews that make this change?
Yeah, it seems the more live looking you are as a hip hop group in Australia, the easier it is to get shows and the bigger festivals. It's just the Australian culture I think, everybody loves rock bands here and is used to going and seeing big rock bands, so they expect a similar experience when they go and check out their favourite Oz hip hop act! Haha.
You've managed to gain a few sponsors here and there, can you tell us who has sponsored you?
Only Akai I think! I have slutted myself out to a few different clothes labels from time to time but that's about all... I'm always up for a whoring for some free shit though!
Actually the label Burn Crew treated me really well when I was first starting out as Chasm. Respect to Brendan, big up Burn Crew!
Australian producers have found it notoriously hard to find a market overseas, is this something you've explored?
With Australian rap I really haven't bothered trying to get any of my stuff overseas as it seems so difficult to break through the accent issue.
The world is a much smaller place now though with the internet making it so easy to release your music to a world-wide audience, it's something I'm determined now to investigate and try to link up.
I think the Dr Don-Don project will be a easier thing to push too.
Why do you think Australian producers find it so hard to do break the overseas market, even on the underground?
I can only really speak about the hip hop world. I would say the accent is a huge issue. Also our production sound here in hip hop has been very '90s sounding while the US have moved on from that, so our production to them may sound dated.
What local artist do you think deserves a greater profile than they currently have or people we should know about?
Producers I am feeling right now: Dizz1 and Taku are two great producers from Australia!
What are your thoughts on illegal file sharing, the move to digital downloads, and how do you think this has this has affected you?
It's just a reality that you have to deal with as a musician, there is no point dwelling on the negatives. Album sales are way down, but there is always a way to hustle a dollar and you just have to be smart and very productive and motivated otherwise you will not survive.
I was reading an article about the recording of Beastie Boys' Pauls Boutique a few months back and the money being thrown around by their label was crazy! The studio stories were crazy! Mad excess … I was thinking, man I wish it was like that again! Haha, but those days are definitely behind the industry.
Is Dr Don-Don going to be released anywhere? What are the plans?
I've just released my debut single, No Other Featuring Joyride, through Grindin, it's a digital only release available through all digital outlets; Beatport and iTunes are probably the most convenient.
Also, look out for an EP or full-length album next year!
Can you give us a top 5 of tracks you've loved from this year?
Aloe Blacc - I Need A Dollar
True Tiger ft P Money - Slang Like This
Gappy Ranks - Long Time Remix ft Beenie Man
Vybz Kartel - Clarks
South Rakkas Crew - So It Go
And, as hard as it is, an all time top 5 of tracks
Aaron Neville - Hercules
Brian Eno - Music For Airports track 1
Wu Tang Clan - C.R.E.A.M
Augustus Pablo - Keep On Dubbing
Miles Davis - Flamenco Sketches
Thanks Dr Don-Don! Looking forward to more beats.
More Dr Don-Don? He's just uploaded a new track to Soundcloud for download and, as you'd expect, it's dope:
King of the Stars by drdondon1
Otherwise you can stalk Dr Don-Don on the interwebz:
Dr Don-Don on the web
Facebook
Follow Dr Don-Don on Twitter
One of the things I've loved about the development of music over the past one or two years – particularly underground electronic and dance music – has been the convergence of sounds from hip hop and idm to the progression of dubstep, the re-emergence of garage (future garage, if you must) and a willingness of many producers, who have previously shied away, to embrace more danceable beats.
I feel like it's one of those periods that come around every ten years or so. There's an unusual amount of exciting music and a lot of people are prepared to make and listen to broader, more interesting and even experimental sounds.
Enter Dr. Don-Don. You might know Chris Hamer-Smith better by his Chasm moniker, with his own productions as well as his album with Vida-Sunshyne or as part of Astronomy Class.
He's one of the country's best beat makers always bringing the reggae flavours strong and a master of the MPC.
So I was surprised to hear his new project, Dr Don-Don, when I heard the reworking of KillaQueenz Break The Rules, up-tempo, four-to-the-floor tropical beats. Given Chris's previous output it was the last thing I expected. What's unsurprising is that it's great.
KillaQueenz - Break The Rules (Dr Don-Don Remix) by drdondon1
To cut a long story short, I wanted to find out the reasons for this musical departure and a heap of other stuff... And I mean a heap! Dr Don-Don was kind enough to oblige.
Although there's still a definite reggae influence with Dr Don-Don, I think you'll agree it's a fairly big departure from anything you've done previously; was it a natural progression, a distinct attempt at something more dancefloor/poppy or something else?
Yes it's definitely an attempt at something different. I have made really slow, laidback music and I have made a lot of mid-tempo music with all the hip hop I have produced but I have never made anything uptempo, so I just wanted to have some fun and experiment with making more uptempo stuff and some tracks that are a bit poppier as I've always made fairly underground music.
Unfortunately, I have quite a short attention span too, I'm always on to the next thing, probably to my detriment, so this is just a natural thing for me also, trying out new ways of creating music and keeping things interesting for myself.
Personally, I've felt as though there has been a real convergence of musical styles over the past couple of years, grime producers are making house (well everyone says they're making house), Kanye West has made pop music out of hip hop; do you feel like people are more accepting of a broader or more diverse sound from producers?
I would agree that it's all crossing over at the moment, with indie dance, UK funky, Australian rappers rapping on guitar music (grose), the lines are definitely blurring which is great for producers because it enables you to try different things and use different sounds and tempos but keep it all under the one moniker.
You've previously released on Obese which is a fairly staunch hip hop label, do you feel like there'll be some negative feedback from those listeners to Dr Don-Don, or do you see it as an entirely separate project?
Oh for sure I'll cop some hate! haha. But it is an entirely separate project for a reason. I like to make a certain type of hip hop and I don't want to compromise that as it is my contribution to the culture and I want to represent myself the right way. But making rap music is only part of my world. I have always made different types of music from punk to post-rock to ambient noise, so this new project as Dr Don-Don is just a natural progression for me, experimenting with a new style and just making music. I love making music.
Currently you've done a couple of remixes (such as Yolanda B Cool and KillaQueenz) as well as original tracks such as No Other featuring vocalist Joyride [video below]; who else is Dr Don-Don gonna be working with? Are you planning an album or just some singles?
I'm working towards either an EP or full-length album, the past 6-12 months I have just been making tracks and trying to see how the project is going to take form. Now I feel ready to start putting together a release. I have just finished a track with a vocalist from Sydney, Elizabeth Rose. She has a great voice and I would like to work more with her in the future. I have a couple more collaborators in the works that I better not speak on until things are made more concrete. Definitely going to build the name into something, I have big ideas for the Doc!
Dr Don Don 'No Other' feat. Joyride from Versus Media on Vimeo.
You're well known as a master of the MPC, and correct me if I'm wrong, but your production under Chasm and Astronomy Class has all started with the MPC beats and loops, is Dr Don-Don the same, or have you had to approach things differently?
It has all started on the MPC. It's the piece of kit I am most comfortable on and feel most creative on. However because I'm using a lot less samples for the Don-Don stuff I'm based more on the computer now too. Which has been nice, to get to know some new software and try different ways of putting together beats. I'm currently working a few different ways, either on the MPC 5000 and Pro Tools, or working in Logic with Native Instruments, Maschine. I can see myself switching over from the MP to the Maschine, its just a matter of learning it properly. The Maschine is awesome though, could be the ultimate MPC killer as it has such good integration with the computer but still has the hardware feel about it. I am also using Kontakt a lot for Dr Don-Don and have a large artillery of soft synths I dip in to as well.
For those who don't know, you started out your musical life as part of a post-rock group. Why and how did you end up producing hip hop and electronic music?
I played for a few years around 2000 in a post-rock group called Ukiyo-e, prior to that I played in bands in my late teens also. I always played guitar and some drums and keys too but when Ukiyo-e came together we had one mini-moog, a moog source and an Akai 3000xl sampler, as well as the usual rock setup of guitars and drums. I guess this was my initial introduction to sampling and synths and it was from here I started to gain interest in programming music and electronic sounds. After this I started messing around with Reason and a few other bits of software on my computer and it just kept developing from there.
Do you think there's anything from your time in a band that you've applied to your hip hop production?
Definitely, I think I can use the musicality and songwriting skills learnt from playing in bands to flesh out hip hop loops into more full sounding, more interesting productions.
You've worked with a lot of different MCs and vocalists; when making tracks/beats, do you do so with a vocalist in mind or does that come later?
It normally just comes later, I will just make beats and then look back and think about who would suit what beats.
You've recently started a family, do you think this has had an influence on the music you're making?
To begin with I regained my love for ambient music when we first had our baby, Marlowe. But now to be honest I'm back to listening to all the stuff I'm normally in to.
Are there any any plans to eventually take Dr Don-Don on the road?
Yes, once I have something out besides a single I would love to get it on the road, I would like to make it a live show rather than just a DJ setup.
It seems like a lot of hip hop based producers feel pressure to create a live show beyond the DJs or live sample triggering, such as you have previously done; have you ever felt the pressure to do this? What are your thoughts on hip hop crews that make this change?
Yeah, it seems the more live looking you are as a hip hop group in Australia, the easier it is to get shows and the bigger festivals. It's just the Australian culture I think, everybody loves rock bands here and is used to going and seeing big rock bands, so they expect a similar experience when they go and check out their favourite Oz hip hop act! Haha.
You've managed to gain a few sponsors here and there, can you tell us who has sponsored you?
Only Akai I think! I have slutted myself out to a few different clothes labels from time to time but that's about all... I'm always up for a whoring for some free shit though!
Actually the label Burn Crew treated me really well when I was first starting out as Chasm. Respect to Brendan, big up Burn Crew!
Australian producers have found it notoriously hard to find a market overseas, is this something you've explored?
With Australian rap I really haven't bothered trying to get any of my stuff overseas as it seems so difficult to break through the accent issue.
The world is a much smaller place now though with the internet making it so easy to release your music to a world-wide audience, it's something I'm determined now to investigate and try to link up.
I think the Dr Don-Don project will be a easier thing to push too.
Why do you think Australian producers find it so hard to do break the overseas market, even on the underground?
I can only really speak about the hip hop world. I would say the accent is a huge issue. Also our production sound here in hip hop has been very '90s sounding while the US have moved on from that, so our production to them may sound dated.
What local artist do you think deserves a greater profile than they currently have or people we should know about?
Producers I am feeling right now: Dizz1 and Taku are two great producers from Australia!
What are your thoughts on illegal file sharing, the move to digital downloads, and how do you think this has this has affected you?
It's just a reality that you have to deal with as a musician, there is no point dwelling on the negatives. Album sales are way down, but there is always a way to hustle a dollar and you just have to be smart and very productive and motivated otherwise you will not survive.
I was reading an article about the recording of Beastie Boys' Pauls Boutique a few months back and the money being thrown around by their label was crazy! The studio stories were crazy! Mad excess … I was thinking, man I wish it was like that again! Haha, but those days are definitely behind the industry.
Is Dr Don-Don going to be released anywhere? What are the plans?
I've just released my debut single, No Other Featuring Joyride, through Grindin, it's a digital only release available through all digital outlets; Beatport and iTunes are probably the most convenient.
Also, look out for an EP or full-length album next year!
Can you give us a top 5 of tracks you've loved from this year?
Aloe Blacc - I Need A Dollar
True Tiger ft P Money - Slang Like This
Gappy Ranks - Long Time Remix ft Beenie Man
Vybz Kartel - Clarks
South Rakkas Crew - So It Go
And, as hard as it is, an all time top 5 of tracks
Aaron Neville - Hercules
Brian Eno - Music For Airports track 1
Wu Tang Clan - C.R.E.A.M
Augustus Pablo - Keep On Dubbing
Miles Davis - Flamenco Sketches
Thanks Dr Don-Don! Looking forward to more beats.
More Dr Don-Don? He's just uploaded a new track to Soundcloud for download and, as you'd expect, it's dope:
King of the Stars by drdondon1
Otherwise you can stalk Dr Don-Don on the interwebz:
Dr Don-Don on the web
Follow Dr Don-Don on Twitter