“There’s great things happening in Melbourne with arts and music,” he says. “I’ve met some super creative people there over the years. Looking forward to coming back.”
Travelling the world to DJ has been Duncan’s primary profession for the majority of his adult life. This means spending a hefty portion of time away from home, which could potentially be an alienating experience. However, it’s unlikely he’d have kept at it without making substantial connections along the way.
“It’s a lonely game being on the road,” he says. “But I have made so many friends all around the world over the years, so it’s never an outsider feeling.”
Along with being a highly esteemed and sought after DJ for more than 20 years, Duncan has stayed committed to producing new music, edits and remixes. He’s perhaps best known as one half of Rub N Tug and Still Going. Most recently, he’s produced a number of disco slow burners with Dean Merredith (Chicken Lips) under the moniker The Rhythm Odyssey & Dr Dunks. His commitment to DJing, however, has never come under threat.
“I’m not a studio maniac. I try to get in when I can,” he says. “I’m a DJ first and the production just kind of comes along with it. Travelling and playing with different people is automatic inspiration and motivation.”
While making music and DJing are essentially different activities, Duncan’s DJing experience proves a helpful resource when finalising things in the studio. “I’m usually making things with the thought ‘Would I play this?’ I’m not a musician but I think I know a decent tune when I hear one. At least decent to me.”
Much of Dr Dunks’ notoriety stems from his disco and funk DJ sets, which is what drew focus to him and Rub N Tug collaborator Thomas Bullock in the first place. Disco music often gets a bad rap, perhaps due to the Saturday Night Fever, flares-and-excess connotations. But Duncan doesn’t find this impression anything to worry about.
“I love Saturday Night Fever. What a great film. I’m not sure I think about disco that way. Good music is good music, right?”
During Duncan’s time as a DJ he’s witnessed some paradigmatic shifts in technology. He started out as a record collector when CDs were merely a fledgling curiosity. In recent years, there’s been a huge swing towards digital formats. While Duncan hasn’t abandoned his roots, he’s not dismayed by the digital swing.
“It is what it is these days. All the new un-released music is digital for the most part. The vinyl promo era is long gone. If you want to play the freshest music then you have to play some digital, otherwise you’re limiting yourself. I don’t worry about the medium as much as I’m there to entertain a group of people and for all of us to have a good time. I don’t think it matters if I lugged 200 records over to the club or if I cruised in with a USB in my pocket. Either way, it’s a party.”
BY AUGUSTUS WELBY
