Patrick Topping has come a long way in a very short time with the British DJ heading down-under for a run of tour dates including a stop at this years Strawberry Fields, his first bush doof ever.

To get a deeper understanding of the inner-workings of the esteemed house and techno producer, Melbourne producer Fergus Sweetland went one-on-one…

SR: Explain your music lineage from when you first start to listen to music in general until electronic music became a thing for you. Are there any particular artists or tracks that really left a lasting impression on you?

PT: I’ve always been very much into music and collecting it, starting with cassettes then CD singles, then first enjoying live music mainly through bands, such as Oasis. I’ve always liked to share music too, I was the person brining CDs along to mates houses for the pre-drink soundtrack before going out.

I’ve also always been into a variety of music and from a young age this has included electronic or dance music, like early Prodigy tracks such as Charly and Fire. The first electronic music to leave a real impression on me though was Makina music, or what we would refer to as New Monkey, named after the legendary rave club in Sunderland, where it was played. It’s basically Happy Hardcore with MCs on top. I was about 13-15 and really into it. It definitely left an impression me, I think you can still hear that high energy and fun elements of New Monkey in my music now. After that it was Tiesto in his trance days which I was obsessed with and that too I still think influences me, in the sense that I like big moments and drama in my music. Ibiza has had a huge impression on your perception of house and techno.

SR: Was your quest to start djing as a direct result of visiting the island? Having experience Ibiza many times yourself, where do you see the future of the island going?

PT: One hundred percent yes, Ibiza is the reason I’m DJing now! The first time I went there, I fell in love with the place and thought to myself how can I come back here every year? And thought DJing was the answer! Ibiza also helped open me up from more commercial electro house sounds onto techno and real house. It’s going to be really interesting to see what happens with the Space building, I heard a rumour Ushuaia are going to turn it into another club! So I’m really intrigued as to how that turns out. It’s never going to be Space, but in a new way I hope it can add something interesting to the island. I think the future of island musically is in a really good place, house and techno dominate not EDM, I can see this continuing, despite the increasing VIP culture. But I just worry about the government and authorities spoiling things. If that doesn’t happen, I don’t see why Ibiza can’t continue to thrive bringing benefits to islanders as well as visitors.

SR: To expand on the previous question, where do you see the future of house and techno going?

PT: This is also really exciting, as there is now so many sub genres within house and techno , I see this continuing with more variations happening all the time, due to the increased number of producers getting involved and bringing new ideas to the table, through to democratization of production. I’d also say that there seems to be an even greater appreciation of techno now. That seems to be getting so massive. But then so is house , I see people really enjoying solid house tracks with prominent vocals too and in my own sets it seems to be the more memorable tracks, whether that be house or techno, which seems to be getting the most attention, so maybe people are gravitating towards big tunes, but I suppose this has always been the case. So who really knows haha.

SR: How important would you say it is for producers to take their time when it comes to getting to grips learning how to make music (be it on a DAW or analog gear)?

PT: It’s very important, you really need to put a lot of time into learning production to get the results you want, its like anything, most people really need to work at something and develop it, it doesn’t come overnight. Networking can also be important and so is going to clubs and festivals and hearing music and getting inspired and really finding out what you love. But I would say it’s important not to get carried with the networking and partying, learning production would be the priority. Also taking your time is good, because sometimes I’ve been sent stuff, I didn’t really think it’s that advanced, then it’s put me off listening to more stuff from than person, just because there is so much to listen to. So I wouldn’t rush getting music out. But then again with me, I thought my music wasn’t ready for Hot Creations and my mate sent a track of mine to them without me knowing and it worked out! So, sorry that’s a bit of a contradiction haha. But ultimately I suppose that shows to have faith in your music as well as patience.

SR: It’s not your first time coming down to Australia. In 2015 you did a massive tour around the land down under, playing varying sized stages from Stereosonic, to the notorious Melbourne nightclub Revolver. How have your past experiences been for you? Any notable moments?

PT: Yeah that was my third tour of Australia, I absolutely love coming here, I try to come every year and in 2015 I actually did two tours! As you mentioned the last one, touring around the country as part of Stereosonic festival, was a massive highlight, it was so fun and such a well produced festival. That was a really big thing for me. But every time I come over the highlight show is always playing Revolver in Melbourne! It’s easily one of my favourite clubs in the world and the 3 times I’ve played have been mental.

Each time it’s been packed and I’ve tried to play longer than the time before, I’m going to try and beat 8 hours or something this time!

SR: What’s your impression on the Australian club scene specifically. Do you hear about it much from overseas? What’s your thoughts coming into your next visit? Is there anything in particular that you’re keen on seeing/ visiting?

PT: The club scene is really strong, it’s up there with some of my favourite countries to play anywhere in the world. Melbourne and Sydney are always really special gigs, I’ve also had fun in Perth and Adelaide and Tasmania too. I love coming over, I would say Australia is actually my favourite country in general! I just love the place and I also have some friends who live over there now and when I come over each year, it’s really the only time we get to see each other, so I really enjoy that aspect too! Loads of British people move over or go traveling too and as the UK is my main market, there tends to always be a few UK faces there too, which also adds to it. But the Ossie crowd themselves are just really friendly and up for a party and knowledgeable that’s exactly what you want. Although I really hope the scene doesn’t get too damaged by the government, as seems to be happening in Sydney.

SR: In Australia, festival and parties are held in the unique landscape we have are called “bush doofs”. Promoters have been throwing these festivals for around two decades now. Have you heard anything about these parties from overseas? 

PT: Yeah! I’ve never been to a bush doof but I’ve heard so much about them, loads of my mates say they are the best thing about the Australian scene, so playing one was my priority when organising this tour. Luckily I’ve been booked for Strawberry Fields, so I really can’t wait to see what the crack is!

SR: Given what you’ve already accomplished thus far in your career, what are you goals and aspirations going forward?

PT: Well I’ve done more than I ever imagined, its crazy! I’m just really happy with how things are going at the moment, couldn’t be more grateful. But even so I do have aspirations to keep pushing on, the dream would be to get to very top level, where I can headline most festival stages, who wouldn’t want that, but I’m more than content with where I am at the moment!

SR: Outside of your regular playing duties such as Ibiza, where has been one set that has taken your completely by surprise?

PT: I’m writing this on a flight back from Gran Canaria, the Spanish island next to Morocco, where I just played on a Tuesday night, I had no idea what to expect, but the crowd was amazing and it was sold out, 1000 people, who were bang up for it. That was a nice surprise! As was when I played Lima, Peru on a Wednesday night over the summer and that was the same again, sold out 1000 people going mad till 7 am and it wasn’t even a public holiday or anything, some of the people were actually going straight to work! It was amazing.

SR: A hypothetical question: if you had unlimited resources, what would be your dream party? (i.e venue/environment, acts you would book). 

PT: Blue Venardo in Playde Del Carmen Mexico would be the venue, I played here once for Paradise as part of the BPM Festival and it was one of the best parties I’ve ever been to! I’d say that and my first time at Elrow Barcelona are my two favourite.

Unfortunately Blue Venardo are no longer hosting events, so to have one last party there would be amazing. It’s open air in the middle of the jungle on a little clearing next to the ocean and holds like 5000 or something. For acts playing I would book some of friends to play such as Eats Everything, Skream, Jamie Jones and Jackmaster as they are also some of my favourite DJs too. Then I’d have Sven Vath close the event with a 4 hour set.

So there you have it, the importance of DAW and analog gear, favourite sets around the world, Ibiza and Patricks dream festival.

You can catch him playing Strawberry Fields THIS weekend alongside a plethora of talent including Max Graef, FKJ, Skatebard, Bradley Zero, Moodymann and plenty more.

Patrick Topping Australian Tour Dates

Friday 18th November: Our House, Launceston
Saturday 19th November: Strawberry Fields Festival, Victoria Sunday
20th November: Deep Valley @ Araluen Botanical Park
Perth Friday 25th November: Bohemian Beat Freaks Festival, Byron Bay
Saturday 26th November: Greenwood Hotel, Sydney
Sunday 27th November: Summer Series @ Revolver Upstairs, Melbourne (10 HOUR SET)