Dubfire Interview
Ali Shirazinia is Dubfire, the Grammy Award-winning techno DJ, producer and label owner whose live sets are nothing short of life changing. Whether as one-half of Deep Dish or going solo, he is fortunate enough to travel from Buenos Aires to Taipei to Australia, playing the music he loves to the fans who feel just the same. With a return to Sydney on 20th December for the second CODE event at the Greenwood Hotel, Ali fills us in on his highly-anticipated set, his unexpected plans for New Year’s Eve and the biggest risk he’s taken to date.
Hi Ali, how are you?
I’m great actually, thanks for asking.
Where in the world are you right now?
As I write this, I am en route to Taipei, my first stop in a 3-week South East Asia tour.
I heard that you’re spending a lot of time in the studio from now through to next year; are you working onDubfire as well as Deep Dish projects? What do we have to look forward to from both?
I’m busy trying to wrap up the lead track from a forthcoming retrospective compilation consisting of the complete collaborative works between Oliver Huntemann and I. It will in many ways both celebrate, and signal the end of, our fruitful project together. When brought together as a complete body of work, hopefully it will also highlight the unique sound and style our music together was.
I’ve also recently wrapped a remix of “EXposed” by Plastikman which should be released sometime in March/April. Then there’s a Hot Since 82 remix which should surface in April/May as well as a Barem remix I did for release on my own SCI+TEC imprint.
Beginning with 3 exclusive shows this year, I’ll be kicking off the world tour of my HYBRID live show in March with hopes of bringing it to Australia in March of 2016.
On the Deep Dish front, Sharam and I will be holed up in the studio together for the entire month of February, recording and polishing off what will hopefully be an album’s worth of material.
You’ve been touring America recently, and I saw that you ate a bowl of escamoles in Mexico City; is travelling and trying new things in different locations something you enjoy as part of your career, and what else have you been able to experience as a result?
I’ve always said that a window into the local culture of a particular country is through its gastronomy. We seldom have more than 24 hours in whatever city (or country) we’re in so I make a point of escaping the confines of my hotel room and exploring the food scene. It makes me appreciate our cultural diversities even more and puts me in the right mood before I play. And by the way, those escamoles were absolutely delicious!
You’re coming to Australia before the year is out; what memories do you have of being Down Under?
The memories are all a combination of warm, funny, inspiring and delicious! I’ve been fortunate enough, with the exception of a brief period, to have been coming to Australia for quite a number of years so the memories run from the early years Sharam and I were coming over as Deep Dish, often times with our close friends, for lengthy work/holiday stays to more recently with my solo appearances at the Future Music Festival. So many adventures and wonderful people we’ve met along the way; from sharing the stage with Die Antwoord and Aphex Twin to hanging at a spontaneous after-party thrown at someone’s home with Sven Vath playing ‘til sunrise for the homeowners, their friends and some of the festival’s biggest acts and onto the free, impromptu b2b sets I did with Jamie Jones, Guy Gerber and Luciano. Quite a lot of great memories.
You’re renowned for innovative productions that fuse science with technology, so how can you bring that same element to a venue like The Greenwood Hotel in Sydney?
As far as I can recollect, I’ve never played nor seen this venue so it remains to be seen. But almost every space I play is an acoustic, architectural, design or “vibe” challenge but the most important ingredient is the crowd so as long as I have that in spades then It’ll be easy to connect with them and ultimately have a fun and musically educational night.
If you had no restrictions, what would be your ultimate stage production?
Great lighting and a large LED or projection screen, but it’s not so much about the production level as it is about the creative content coming thru on those screens or the ability of the lighting controller to read the crowd and follow my lead musically speaking so we can all create a harmonious synergy.
What has been your favourite set of 2014?
Of mine or others? If mine it’s probably the 13-hour set I did at Sunwaves in August. As for others, probably Adrian Sherwood’s dub set for my ADE event this past October. I’ve idolized him and his work since I was a young teenager so to be able to have an opportunity to tell him that and invite him to play at my event was a dream come true.
Your authenticity has never wavered in over 20 years; how do you make sure you stay true to yourself and the music you want to produce?
Avoid getting pigeonholed or repeating yourself; that and constantly challenging yourself and your notions of who you are or what you stand for musically. We all grow and evolve into different people but it’s important not to sideline the creative possibilities that can spark.
Do you try to do the same with SCI+TEC?
Of course; my efforts have always been to expose the underdog or talented people with a unique sound that can be developed into a fully realized electronic music career. I’m not opposed to signing the “name” guys but that’s less interesting or rewarding to me then discovering and nurturing younger talent.
What do you look for in an artist?
A strong work ethic and a singularly unique vision or sound. Someone who isn’t afraid of taking musical or creative chances.
As a pioneer in electronic music, who or what inspired your own creativity and futuristic techno sound?
Everyone that came before me whose music inspired me to challenge the status quo and not settle for taking the safe or easy road. The artists whose music gave me a voice when I was struggling to find my own. The ones who took the road less travelled.
What is the biggest risk you’ve taken in your career?
Probably breaking up Deep Dish at the peak of our success and going solo.
So, who’s lucky enough to get you this New Year’s Eve?
No one actually; I’ve happily got the night off. Granted I have a gig literally every day the week before and after so I’m going to enjoy the first NYE off I’ve had in maybe 20 years! Plus NYE crowds are generally the worst crowds to play for so I’ve never been one to actively pursue it.
What would you like to happen or achieve in 2015?
To have taken the HYBRID live show to as many fans around the world as I can and hopefully begin a new chapter in Deep Dish’s musical legacy.
You can see Dubfire play CODE in Sydney at the Greenwood Hotel, this Saturday 20th December. Tickets available here through moshtix