Dub FX Interview

Dub FX has become a global bass music sensation since taking to the streets and travelling the world in his van. Now playing the world’s best festivals and stages, he is set to bring his Theory of Harmony tour back home to Australia, so we thought it would be a great time to have a chat with the man himself…
Hi Ben, where in the world are you right now?
Sardegna!!!
You just finished a mammoth tour of Europe, are you excited to be bringing the Theory of Harmony tour back home to Australia in September?
Absolutely! We are totally locked in with each other on stage – 40 shows in 80 days will do that to you!
What were your favourite shows and places in Europe?
I have so many: Bristol, Budapest, Berlin, Bologna, Amsterdam… Romania and Bulgaria are awesome countries too!
What can ticket holders expect of the shows? Is it very much a live show of the album?
Well, I wrote this album with my live show in mind so… I think it translates well. But I find it a lot easier transmitting my essence live than in the studio.
Why did you choose a three-piece live show?
I did it pretty much by myself for the first 8 years apart from having guest MCs with me. These days I like adding more musical instruments to the show to make it more colourful… Mainly because once the audience sees me build up a few tracks by myself layer after layer, it gets a bit tedious, but with musicians we can get straight into the music a lot easier and quicker so we can get stuck into performing the song.

You started performing on the streets, and then went global; what were some of your earlier live stages like?
I started in 2006, and by 2009 I had found my style and started making videos, which went viral… For the main part I was always pretty much by myself on stage except for when Flower Fairy or Cade joined me…
What places did your music take you to and what experiences did you have?
I’ve seen over 40 different countries and heaps of cities within each country. I lived in a van for six years and drove around Europe four times over so I really got to explore Europe at ground level. I have been to North America five times, usually performing in 15 or 20 cities in Canada and USA. I’ve been to Brazil, South Africa, Nepal, Sri Lanka, India… I could be here all day if I went through them all!
How does touring now differ to when you first went on the road?
Well, instead of driving everywhere while living in a van, I fly, mostly because I perform mainly at festivals and clubs rather than the street!
Is there anywhere that you’re yet to play that you’d most like to?
I’m yet to visit Scandinavia, the rest of South America and parts of Africa.
When you return back to Melbourne, where’s the first place you go?
Home! I bought a house in the Dandenong Ranges back in 2012, but ironically I spend more than half the year on the road trying to pay it off!
Can you recommend any bars, eateries or live music venues that our readers should check out?
Honestly, I spend so much time in venues that when I’m not performing I seek out nature more than anything.

Dub FX Theory Of Harmony Tour Dates

Friday 4th September – Manning Bar, Sydney
Thursday 10th September – The Republic, Hobart
Friday 11th September – Prince Band Room, Melbourne
Saturday 12th September – Gilkinsons Dance Studio, Perth
Friday 18th September – JCU Cairns, Cairns
Saturday 19th September – Max Watts, Brisbane
Get your tickets directly from the venues’ websites, and visit www.dubfx.com for tour info, special offers and access to VIP events.