For Gareth D, music is everything. Relatively new to the professional DJ scene but making inroads quicker than most, it is Gareth’s tech take on his music that has made punters and promoters both take notice of the good looking New Zealand ex-pat.

For the past three years, Gareth has called Australia home and at the time of his relocation, the electro scene was blowing up in Oz. “I enjoyed the sound but found it a little too invasive. Luckily for me there were local influences such as Thomas J, Ben Abrahams, Audun, Kaphy and Giv that changed my perspective on house music. The whole 'electro scene' was becoming mainstream; instead of wanting to play the same generic music as everyone else I started pursuing a different sound. Any music that was deep and a little twisted was a preferred sound. From deep house right through to minimal techno. I realised you didn't have to play big tracks with huge baselines and drops to get a dance floor moving.”

A true dance professor who knows his music, Gareth lists Spirit Catcher, Da Sunlounge, Anil Chawla, Audio Soul Project, Boogie Corp, Booka Shade, Catwash, Dan Berkson, Dave DK, Dirt Crew, DJ T, Jesse Rose, John Tejada, Jona, Kriece, Lopazz, Luna City Express, MANDY, Manuel Sahagun, Nic Fanciulli, Nikola Gala, Phonique, Rekorder, Silver City, Simon Baker, Swag and 2020 Soundsystem among his favourite artists.

elsewhere remains Gareth’s home, however his talent and popularity have inevitably meant his services are eagerly sought by other venues also, such as Berlin Lounge, Central and Swingin’ Safari. In the past 12 months alone, Gareth has opened for DJs and producers such as Kid Kenobi and MC Shureshock, Jesse Rose (UK), Craig Obey and Spirit Catcher (live, Belgium). Guest spots that have come his way include the Quiksilver Pro music festival and the 6 Knots boat cruise.

Gareth is also frequently heading back over to New Zealand to breathe some life into the dance music scene in his homeland, with regular tours of Auckland.

On top of all this, Gareth is taking his music a step further with an Audio Engineering course this year, with the view to lead into music production.