DONGA
Although DJ-ing in public since 1991 and releasing many electronic vinyl releases under mysterious aliases, DONGA got bit by the dubstep bug back in 2005 when working at a record shop in Brighton.
“We started getting these underground UK 12″ on labels such as Tempa, Deep Medi, DMZ, Tectonic, Hyperdub, Skull Disco and many more. I immediately felt this was the most exciting development in bass driven productions for many years. I could hear the ghost of the UKGarage scene blending with a more distinct half-time dub influence with serious emphasis on sub-bass enhancement. This was the musical recipe that got my hunger to DJ flowing again.” With like-minded friends he promoted some small scale events booking Shackleton, the After Dark crew and Bass Clef into unlikely venues more commonly booking Punk bands. ‘There were superb events such as Ju-Ju & Dub Pressure that broke the sound in town booking all the major names in the scene. We wanted to reach a different audience that we knew were looking for new alternative music to freak out to but didn’t have to understand it’s background.’ After making some independent contributions to the homegrown scene, the DUB PRESSURE boys made Donga a Room 2 resident in 2009. ‘I was playing everything BUT dubstep in the front bar at Concorde – spinning old classic garage and darker examples of the new UKFunky House sound that had just emerged at the time. Also bits of classic UK early 90s hardcore and rave and select Grime cuts.’
DONGA ran Well Rounded’s 4 labels between 2009 and 2013 releasing underground dance music fusions and hybrids from the likes of Deadboy, Hackman, XXXY, South London Ordnance, Julio Bashmore, Leon Vynehall, Archie Pelago, Distal & Rashad, Hodge and many more. He also opened a Well Rounded record shop in Brighton which is where he met Duku and Sibla from THE MINE who came in to pick up various bits of dubstep wax and put up posters for their events. After gaining each other’s respect Donga was invited to play a warm-up set at the next Mine event. This formula was then repeated several times as it allows Donga to feature classic and scarce original records he purchased back in the day alongside his picks of the current producers’ output on wax without compromising for a peak-time dancefloor. However, due to the warm reception to the events he has steadily been moving up the bill to later slots. ‘Old & new can combine, i dont stick to one sound within 140 either, I take elements of everything from Jump-up wobble to minimal techno influenced tracks across to full-on ‘conscious’ rootsy dubstep and vocal message tracks. Part of what always attracted me to Dubstep was it’s roots in Reggae which i consider to be REBEL music – and I like to play vocal tracks that reflect my political and social philosophy.’
Currently Donga is running the new UNCONDITIONAL MUSIC label releasing dark house and techno 12″ eps with releases getting support from the likes of Rinse FM, Peverelist, Youngsta. He is also in the process of setting up a brand new label to finally start releasing even darker urban music including dubstep for the first time. ‘I think there are some new generation dubstep producers coming with some unique aspects to their sound. I want to support them and give them an opportunity to release on our blessed vinyl format. I really find it hard to enjoy music experience purely digitally. I want the physical versions of my favourite music. That’s the motivation – not money.’
Donga’s experience and passion have provoked great responses from our crowds. He can educate an smash it at the same time. Book him for a 100% vinyl set NOW.