40 Questions: Dub FX

Originally finding fame through unedited, one take performance clips on YouTube, Australian MC and live act Dub FX flourished in an environment where most artists would feel exposed.

Several hundred million video views, multiple albums and a few kids later, he’s still bringing the same raw, unfiltered product to his fans. With the official video for his new single ‘Fire Every Day’ being recorded in one take on a rooftop in Brixton.

The track is the lead single from his forthcoming Roots LP, which arrives later this month. Alongside the new record, the Aussie will head on tour across February, March and April. Dates include shows in Berlin, London, Glasgow, Prague, Amsterdam, Paris and more.

We welcome him to take on our 40 Questions just ahead of the album’s release, where he mentions everything from his wife and Frank Sinatra to Eddie Murphy and eating candles. Get the full interview below.

01. Where are you right now and what are you doing?

I’m at home with my wife and two children, heating up some lunch while I do this interview!

02. What year were you born?

1983.

03. Do you have a nickname?

Daddy!

04. What’s the coolest thing in your house?

My wifey! She totally brings up my credibility score. When my friends get to know her and see what an amazing human she is, they look at me differently.

05. How would you describe yourself?

The most modest man on the planet!

06. Worst experience as a DJ?

Bad fold back monitors that are too far away, so everything is out of time with your headphone mix.

07. Best experience as a DJ?

I did a jungle throwback set on vinyl and got lots of props from all the real DJ’s in the building.

08. Favourite record label?

Convoy Unlimited!

09. What’s your biggest weakness?

Sugar.

10. First record you ever paid for?

Let’s pretend it wasn’t Oasis and go with Bob Marley.

11. What’s your morning routine?

I wake up and go to my garden and do 10 mins of Qigong, then I hang upside down and do some sit-ups. Then a little bit of yoga to stretch out my back, I do 20 mins of Wim Hof breathing, then I hit the Sauna and a cold shower. Then everyone in the house wakes up, and I make everyone breakfast!

12. Your dream collaboration?

Frank Sinatra.

13. Tell us something we shouldn’t know about you?

I talk to my self out loud and don’t even realise I’m doing it.

14. Who’s your biggest inspiration?

People who come from underprivileged backgrounds who make uplifting self-empowered music or art.

15. Ever smoked?

I’ve never been a cigarette smoker, but I do enjoy green every now and then.

16. Ever done drugs?

I’ve tried almost everything but a needle.

17. What’s the best gift you’ve ever received?

A loop station.

18. And the best gift you’ve ever given?

I gave my wife a puppy before we had kids, we love our little Obi!

19. What’s the coolest place you’ve ever been to?

That’s a tough call. I love New Zealand, Portugal, Brazil, UK… the list goes on. Every place has its cool spots.

20. And one place you want to visit?

I need to see more of South America for sure.

21. One act who’s inspired you your whole career?

I can’t pin point one act because I love so many different artists, but I would say the Caribbean (mainly Cuba and Jamaica) have had the biggest impact on my musical sensibility.

22. If you weren’t in the music industry, what would you be doing?

Landscape Gardening.

23. Worst job you’ve ever had?

I was a singing Santa Clause for a huge supermarket chain Christmas party, that sucked hard. I had to sit there in 40 degree heat (it’s summer in Australia at Xmas time) having over 300 children sit on my lap and hear what they wanted for Xmas.

24. Favourite record right now?

Lord Echo – Harmonies.

25. And the best record ever made?

Impossible to say but, let’s go with Bob Marley – Legend.

26. One thing you couldn’t live without?

My wifey.

27. Your favourite food?

What ever my wifey makes is always incredible.

28. What’s the weirdest thing you’ve ever eaten?

I ate a candle once for a bet, that wasn’t worth the 5 dollars.

29. Who would you want to play you in a movie?

Eddie Murphy.

30. What’s something you’re passionate about?

Conspiracy theories. I believe the biggest conspiracy theory ever is the stigma around conspiracy theories. It’s so easy to brand someone as a conspiracy theorist like it’s a bad thing, but if people didn’t theorise on what the rich and powerful conspire about to keep there wealth and power then can you imagine what kind of corrupt stuff they would do?

We should always question those with power, always question the media and why they focus on certain stories and most of all never let it make you paranoid and angry. I love conspiracy theories but I think it’s all hilarious and weird and stupid and fun.

31. Favourite club you’ve played at?

Club Midi in Cluj-Napoca Romania!

32. Favourite festival you’ve played at?

I can’t name just one. There are so many amazing festivals! Boom Town – UK, Splore – NZ, Shambala – UK, Shambala – CA, Ruhr Reggae – DE, Tribal Gathering – PA, I could go on trust me!

33. Craziest story of being on the road?

Russia has many many crazy stories! I once went to a city called Norilsk, we needed a special Visa to go there, it was like going to the moon, or something out of an apocalyptic video game!

34. Weirdest request as a DJ?

I’m more of a looping vocalist then a DJ but one time this dude asked me “sing that song where the vein pops out of the side of your neck”.

35. If you had one superpower what would it be?

Animal Man has a cool power. He can take on the power of any animal he chooses. So if he wants to fly like a bird or swim like a shark he can.

36. Late sleeper or early riser?

These days I’ve switched to an early riser because of having kids.

37. Strangest video you’ve watched on YouTube?

I watched a couple of my own interviews once while I was high, that wigged me out.

38. The top thing on your bucket list?

I’ve done everything except wrestle a python.

39. Most memorable moment of your life so far?

Meeting my wife at the airport was pretty special.

40. Will you ever be done with music?

NEVER!

Dub Fx’ Roots LP drops January 31st alongside a graphic novel.