Interview: Donga

Donga has put nearly 20 years of music making wisdom into his new label and night, Well Rounded

How would you describe the music you put out?
Dance music that inspires me basically. All of it has a degree of house music in its DNA though it’s often fused with other influences ranging from classic garage & techno over to r&b & UK Funky for example. It would be nice to bridge the gap between hype bangers and deep groovers.

Who’s on the label and what do they make?
No one is signed long-term to the label. We work on a release by release basis. If both parties are happy the door remains open. Deadboy could be described as developing a heartbreak garage sound, lots of yearning vocals and stirring synths over tight 2-step beats. Hackman from Leeds has a very original tropical funky sound and is willing to go off on melodic tangents, which makes him fairly unique. We also have forthcoming releases by C.R.S.T, Submerse, Skinnz and Littlefoot.

You’ve been involved in music for years – why start a label now?
I started Well Rounded after ages spent wondering when someone would notice Deadboy’s beats. I had ‘U Cheated’ for quite a while and was listening for the umpteenth time one night and thought, “I’m gonna get the money and the distribution and put this out because it’s wicked.” The success of that has simply encouraged me to keep going. It’s really heartening when something you do with a friend does well – he’s off djing abroad and doing mixes for Mary Anne Hobbs and stuff and this release played a big part in that journey.

What DJs support the releases?
It varies from release to release – Deadboy has been played by loads of well-known djs such as Geeneus and Oneman on Rinse fm, Roska bigged up our Ultrasound 12” along with TRG. We’ve had support and feedback from Jamie XX and Dusk & Blackdown. The next release by myself and a friend as Donga & Blake has been getting love from 2562 and Martyn. In fact Martyn has been our most consistent champion and supporter – so far he’s liked everything we have released which is awesome.

A lot of people might not know the artists you play, what can they expect from the new night at Jam?
Well certainly some garage from Deadboy and UKFunky from Doc Daneeka whilst I’ll also play some disco and deep house. We may also be joined by our favourite host Richter who avoids spitting bars in favour of bridging the gap between the DJs and dancers and riding the vibe. Whilst a lot of the music may seem underground, I believe it’s all fairly accessible on first listen so curious people might consider checking us out.

What other nights do you DJ at and what do you like about them?
I was a second room resident at Superdubpressure for a long while. I got to play music that informed dubstep’s original sound – garage and so on – and have the support and trust of Unlikely, Dom & Kion. They also released an Ultrasound tune I made with friends on their label Clandestine Cultivations which meant a lot to us all. They’re planning some new parties and are playing at our first club night. More recently I warmed up for Deadboy and El-B at akakaroar at Life and was blown away. A proper energised atmosphere, people putting names of tunes in their phones and so on, it went off!

How does working in Edgeworld affect your DJing?
It’s broadened what’s in my bag. The thing about Edgeworld is the little gem potential. I get time to check tunes quite thoroughly and regularly challenge my own expectations by checking stuff that may not look like it would be my usual fare. Been picking up some wicked disco and 80’s electro-funk influenced stuff there lately.

FYI
NEXT EVENT: Well Rounded, Jam Sat 24th
LABEL RELEASES: Donga & Blake 12” out now, C.R.S.T ‘Revival’ 12” out late July
DOC DANEEKA MIX: tinyurl.com/DocDaneeka