With fifteen years in the industry, Mitchell Bennett – better known as Ember – has seen the pinnacle of Sydney night life and the unfortunate decline.

However, the veteran Sydney DJ is not planning on writing off his city just yet. We caught up with Ember this week to spin the yarn on how he became introduced to the DJing, his experiences in the industry, and where he sees Sydney five years down the track!

Stoney Roads: Hey Mitch, how are you going? Cheers for taking the time to have a chat, stoked to pick the brain of a veteran Sydney selector to talk about the current climate of the Sydney music scene. To kick if off, How long have you been DJing for?

Ember: Hey guys! Not a problem at all, it’s good to be on board. All’s well over here and thanks for reaching out! Professionally, I’d say I’ve been playing for about 14 or 15 years, starting at more local spots then gradually moving in to clubs.

SR: What initially got you interested in pursuing a life in music? How did it all get to the level it is now?

Ember: I’ve always loved music but I’d never really learnt an instrument. When I was in high school it was kind of a question of either learning drums, guitar, etc. Or learn this DJ thing. It started with some really basic equipment then became a huge hobby that snowballed. My stereo had broken at the time as well, so that lead to me needing something better to play music on. A pair of decks seemed a lot more interesting than a 6 stacker. I’m happy with where it’s all taken me, but it’s definitely been due to help from a lot of friends along the way and relationships in the community helping things step forward toward the gigs I wanted to play.

SR: Being around for as long a you have now, you’ve seen first hand the way in which the Lockout Laws have affected our nightlife; for the youngsters only going out now, can you explain what was Sydney like pre-lockouts?

Ember: Sydney was a melting pot of people who were interested in so many different sounds of electronic music. I think that still exists. But you used to be able to leave a club at any time, walk down the road, support a friend, move to the next spot, say hi to another mate and so on. Clubs like Moulin Rouge, Yu, etc, were these caves of bass music that opened a lot of punters eyes and got them excited about different genres. Everyone was so spoilt for choice and the community supported so many artists who have now gone on to pursue careers on a global scale. There are a lot of great spots still doing that now, but there used to be a lot more.

SR: Is maintaining your career as a DJ become harder with the lockout laws in place? We’ve seen club after club close down, have you ever feared it could result in a career change for yourself?

Ember: I think environments are always going to change and if you don’t adapt it’s a lot harder to survive. Personally I’ve been keeping afloat with a fair bit of touring, but so many local residents are in a really tough position where they actually have no home in Sydney to play. Everyone is still just as passionate about the music, but with less places to play it definitely deters the younger generation looking to build any kind of reputation out there.

SR: Brisbane is also introducing their own lockout laws, what do you make if this? Is Australia becoming a nanny nation? Or is there still some good?

Ember: I think it’s gotten a bit out of hand. There’s a level that you reach where you’re helping the problem, then there’s a level you reach when you’re damaging other peoples lives. The coward punch situation and attitudes of some people when intoxicated is a problem. But there were (and are) so many other solutions to treating that problem that were totally overlooked before bringing these laws in (rather than completely closing businesses and hurting the careers of thousands of workers across a state). Clubs will close there and hard working people will lose their jobs because of this. Not just musicians but store owners, transport workers, security guards, bar tenders, managers, cleaners, graphic designers, promoters, the list goes on. It’s sad.

SR: You ‘life before lockouts’ mix was dope. Could we be in for some more nostalgia mixes in the near future?

Ember: That was fun putting together. I think there might be a few more in store but I’m working on something a bit more current at the moment! It’s definitely something I wouldn’t say no to.

SR: You’re playing at the Met in Brisbane this weekend, could the nostalgia tracks fin their way into your set?

Definitely. I’m always throwing back here and there. A lot of it still works!

SR: You’re a super busy dude, what are you currently working on aside from DJing?

Ember: I’ve been working on a fair bit of music and sinking my teeth in to the production side, I’ve got a single almost ready to go but just polishing it off. I’ve been test-driving a fair few other releases to get some footing but think that side will be kicking in to gear next month. Other than that the DJ side takes over my life! Some new tour plans and a bit of radio business, while throwing in some holidays where I can.

SR: Who are some young Aussie DJs on the come up that you take your hat off to?

Ember: There’s so many! I get sent a tonne of music every week and everything’s just getting ridiculously good. There are guys like Senor Roar (been around for a while), but they’re just killing it on all fronts. Dudes like Enschway from Sydney and Blanke out of Canberra. The Go Freek guys are starting to get a heap of attention overseas. Wongo’s a freak. I think I’m mentioning a tonne of established guys haha, but the list goes on. We’ve got so many talented producers here who are all killing it at the moment.

SR: Finally, how do you hope to see Sydney’s nightlife in 5 years from now?

Ember: I think we’ll be ok! There are so many passionate people like yourselves who are keeping that optimism high. I can’t see it getting much worse. I think the people in power have to be smart enough to find more creative solutions to the problems at hand that will only lead to safer environments for our community to strive and people to enjoy themselves after dark. If in 5 years time we’re still in the same spot it’ll be crazy. There are too many talented people here that need a late night outlet for their creativity and if the people in power don’t find a way to help their community members grow it’s just insane.

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You can catch Ember this Saturday at The Met in Brisbane!