By Tess

Dave Pham will be one of the many DJ’s rocking Perth for Eternity. Pham, a Melbourne resident who has become one of Australia’s most sought after techno and elektro DJ’s will be hitting the West Coast and Perth for the first time July 29. Tess interviewed Dave on his thoughts about his trip to Perth and his career as a DJ “I’ve actually never traveled to Perth before so I’m really excited to venture into new territory. I understand Eternity is a party encompassing all techno based sounds so I’m really pumped to be on board and most eager to hear some local talent”

Pham began collecting music and vinyl in his early teens. His musical background established initially by his father “The first music I collected in my early teens was classical; my dad was always very keen on the sound so I guess I got a head start and raided his stash of vinyls and tapes. I think Bach is a complete genius and his music still moves me the same way it does today as it did so many years ago.”   It was about 10 years ago that his addiction of vinyl began. Mostly because it was the only format his musical loves were pressed on, and when his path crossed with another local DJ did his career in mixing begin. “ My first set was in a side room at War of the Worlds (Melb), I remember it well as I had never been so nervous since my first competitive tennis match at the tender age of 8 years old.”

Since, Phams tastes have moved from his classical background to choosing to play and become renound for harder, noisier and more challenging sounds than his peers, and although the ride was rough with fans at the beginning, the new style he was playing soon began to draw even a larger crowd “Not too sure how I would go rating a best set, maybe if I was to combine audience participation together with freedom of sound. Maybe the warm up set for Dave Clarke at The Prince of Wales or warm up set for Luke Vibert at the same venue.”

“Currently I’m enjoying playing many different types of sounds; it really depends on the nature of the gig itself. Ideally if had the opportunity or freedom to blend all of my favourite styles together then I’d be playing my dream set. Generally my sound today would cross over techno, minimal, ebm, electro, house and anything with violins in it.”

In 2005 Dave is now received by audiences, other Deejay’s and promoters as being the most versatile Deejay around who is perfect for support, or main act, and can set the tone of the whole night.

Pham, now seen by promoters and audiences as a versatile  DJ and perfect to set the tone for the whole night, has supported the likes of Dave Clarke, Luke Slater, Jeff Mills, Fumiya Tanaka, Richie Hawtin, Vitalic, Miss Kittin & the Hacker, David Caretta, Dj Sneak, Felix tha Housecat, Phoenecia, Squarepusher Kiko, Hakan Lidbo to name a few. When asked his favourite, they were all equally as enjoyable [but] “I must admit though, warming up for Vitalic at Honkytonks this year was pretty damn special!”

Since 2000 you have been experimenting with mixing techno with other genres.  What are you trying to achieve and reach with this?
“I really enjoy different types of sounds and felt it was a great challenge to attempt to fuse all these sounds together. The positive outcome which came from this was that it exposed different music to various crowds. Of course this didn’t always go down well, in many instances you would have your purists less than content with what was presented. You take the good with the bad, I know personally, I’ve grown considerably as a dj from this continued experience.”

Whats your biggest influence in the past and currently, either famous or local?
“Every kid needs a hero and from early to late nineties as far as a local hero was concerned Will E Tell was mine. I really admired how despite early criticism he pursued the sound he was passionate about and made it a success. Aphex Twin also plays a significant role in my electronic experience, his blend of abrasive and eclectic sounds is a great example of superb sound innovation. Currently the dj that really inspires me is Richie Hawtin; his approach to all things techno is extremely refreshing. He’s been at the centre point for techno for so long now and still manages ways to present the sound with such originality. I have to also mention Vitalic as a major influence, that man keeps me in awe with everything he does. Always presenting something new and fusing all sounds dance floor related. His structure and composition of melodies is unsurpassed and I feel is one of our true great modern day composers.”

Whats the best advice you can give to DJ hopefuls out there?
“Believe in what you do, challenge yourself to present something different and most of all have the best fun possible doing it. Oh and support your local record store, try to stick to vinyl where you can.”

Have you ever dabbled in the art of music production?
“Yes I have, I was collaborating with a friend and we have done a couple of tracks. I’ve just finished building my own studio so am currently in the process of creating my first solo track.”

Whats your favourite record in your bag right now?
“That’s like asking which of your children you love best. To narrow it down the 3 Melbourne based tunes that never leave my box are So Hot- Agent 86, That Guy- T-Rek and Jooga- Mink Engine.”