Electronic music represents both an ongoing and burgeoning cultural zeitgeist.
It boasts a rich history and legacy to draw from, yet the internal perception of it as an underground movement remains strong.
As Melbourne’s electronic scene has evolved from a microcosm to an established subculture, few artists exemplify its nature quite like DJ PGZ, the moniker of Gunai/Kurnai and Yorta Yorta multidisciplinary artist Paul Gorrie.
With an upcoming performance as part of the highly-anticipated Now or Never festival – alongside a roster of international techno heavyweights at the Royal Exhibition Building on August 24 – DJ PGZ is slated to captivate audiences with his genre-bending sound and unique artistic vision.
DJ PGZ at Now or Never
- DJ AYA / DJ PGZ / Donato Dozzy / Estella Boersma / François X
- Sat 24 Aug | 4pm-11pm
- Royal Exhibition Building
- Tickets here
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Initially an attendee of various techno parties and doofs, DJ PGZ has evolved into a key figure in Australian underground culture, cementing his self-described “first major opportunity” with Naarm-based music collective Fluxx’s first compilation in 2020.
For those uninitiated in the lore of DJ PGZ, his musical style is heavily influenced by “leftfield queer club culture, deep club, trippy progressive techno, all with an undeniable underlying hip-hop element.” His creative ethos weaves together a self-described “hypnotic, trancy” approach that emits strong cultural influences, evoking a feeling he likens to being “lost in the yidaki vibration.”
Music is not his only calling, also dabbling in filmmaking, radio presenting, and drumming for First Nations artists DRMNGNOW and Kee’ahn. This commitment to his many creative endeavours also informs his community initiatives.
DJ PGZ’s most recent brainchild is a club series hosted and curated by himself entitled Ecstatic Mob, “conceived as a space to build and foster a new community of club culture.” Ecstatic Mob was launched to unite individuals within the club space, fostering a sense of community and belonging, and creating their own “mob” in the First Peoples’ sense of family and togetherness.
This project, as well as his work as a whole, is heavily influenced by the work being made by Black and Brown producers, noting that “their shared experiences really resonate with me, especially those from lower socio-economic areas.” His overarching focus with Ecstatic Mob is still squarely on inclusivity at a larger scale, claiming “I want anybody to come; it’s a place where everyone should feel welcome.”
With a clear initiative and direction in both creative aesthetics and community outreach, DJ PGZ became the perfect candidate to host his Good Static radio show airing each Friday midnight on Triple R.
“It first started when Triple R did a pop-up radio show, initially as a graveyard shift during the week. When the Good Static show picked up, it evolved into a showcase for local acts, allowing me to stay up to date with what’s released.”
Regarding the future of Good Static, he shares, “The direction of the show is to interview more people in the hope of sharing experiences across multiple genres… and people who are innovators within their respective styles.”
Despite thriving in intimate, local spaces, DJ PGZ has his sights set on larger stages. “Intimate spaces are more about reading the room and responding to the crowd,” he explains. He believes that larger venues allow for a plethora of audiovisual ideas, which is why he is currently workshopping visual art pieces specifically curated for his upcoming performance at the Royal Exhibition Building for Now or Never.
With this wealth of experience, his advice for other multi-faceted creatives is straightforward: “Figure out what you want to do, and do it. Gain experience, hone your craft, and build genuine relationships. Using people as stepping stones will really devalue your work.”
DJ PGZ is proving that electronic music is more than sound; it’s a powerful platform for connection, inclusivity and cultural dialogue.
Besides his highly anticipated Now or Never performance, DJ PGZ has several upcoming projects on the horizon. He is working on behind-the-scenes collaborations with various artists (to be announced) and plans to release a full-length album next year, showcasing different aspects and styles of his music. He is also set to perform at Subsonic, Mode and Strawberry Fields, with an Ecstatic Mob takeover to be announced.
Be sure to experience his captivating set at the Now or Never Festival on August 24. Tickets here.
Beat is an official media partner of Now or Never.
