I got to hang out with one of South Africa’s up and coming DJ’s, this dudes music is HOT, I’ve heard a few of his tracks and could not help but be blown away by his talent. Based in Cape Town his speciality is deep house but is not limited to only deep house. This multi-talented guy basically has a found a niche in many genres of music. To get a hold of him hit him up on the book of faces at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Da-Brownie

Matthew: Why did you decide to become a DJ/producer

JC: My love for the creative arts steered me in this direction, I haven’t always known in what field but some how music tilted me to it’s side. It wasn’t until I took on almost all creative outlets that music showed itself to me and let it open avenues of study and opportunity. My passion for music and gift (rather a habit) of being creative led me into music production. As a DJ I’ve just recently gotten that title, where as in visual art it was like my exhibition after all the ideas, paint and hard work went into it (rather than it being the other way around).

 Matthew: What titles have you worked on
JC: I’ve worked on many tracks in countless roles, some as a producer, production duo, producer to an artist, engineer to an artist so I’m the guy behind the scenes a lot of the time. I’ve worked on all the titles as the producer for “The Rude Boys”, a few popular ones being “Hearts on Sleeves ft Jimmy Nevis, Matthew O’Connell, Siya Buli and AliThatDude”, “Tonight” and “Waiting On You” both featuring “Jerain” and the latest being “Bleeding Sunshine ft Ruby Burton, Matthew O’Connell and Mischa Kumi”.

 Matthew: What was your favourite gig that you played
JC: It was December 2012 at Mercury a party called Monstrosity2. It was an all out Dubstep n DnB party, genres I have love for but don’t produce (maybe something I’ll try in future). It was the thrill of playing something different, new and unheard for some people and still kept everyone jumping that made this a special gig for me.

Matthew: What is your favourite track that you’ve produced
JC: Tough one, I would take a swing and say “Da Brownie – Bird Watching”. This is a track out of my own soul, untainted by the need for commercialism or any other form of outside influence. A song that means a lot to me, the one the painter frames and hangs in his own home.

Matthew: What is you’re solo DJ name and why did you choose that name
JC: My solo DJ/producer name is “Da Brownie”, Brownie was my childhood nick name as there was someone with my name and so they opted to use my surname with an –ie. It was hard looking for a name for this new adventure, but that one had a certain ring to it.

Matthew: What upcoming gigs do you plan to play at

JC: At the moment I’m focusing on my catalogue, but wherever my record label goes I play. One in August, and one as a guest at a Deep House gig in July not confirmed yet. I will be updating my page as the events get confirmed.

 Matthew: What inspired you about you’re current profession
JC: I would say the life, the things it can amount to but it’s more than that. The effect music has on society and life in general is huge, having control of that makes you feel as if you have some influence. Having people dance to your track, a track that makes someone’s day that bit better, a track that knows how you feeling and speaks the words that you want to say. It’s amazing how this is my job.

 Matthew: When can we expect to hear your solo tracks
JC: Few of my tracks are on my Soundcloud page already (https://soundcloud.com/da-brownie), more the deep underground type. I have a new track coming with in the next few weeks aimed at hitting a bigger market, a creative but also pumping House jam not to miss out on. Stay updated on my Facebook page on the release date.

Matthew: Can you give other aspiring dj’s and producers some advice on how to make it in this business
JC: Learn study and practice repeat. This is not a job you can just apply for, it takes hard work and asks a lot of you. Get creative, experiment get to playing, make it fun while you at it. Keep learning, stay updated, old is good but new can bring so so so much more, to the what and how you produce and play.

Matthew: What made you decide to go solo
JC: Being in a partnership or group has it’s pro’s and con’s, where two or more can add to the process but also shake the foundation. I felt it was time, out of respect to myself and my craft. I had the feeling that I was holding back and that’s never a good one. There is so much more I can give and so much more of myself I want to show people, it’s by time people knew who I am and what I do.

Matthew: What are your plans for the future
JC: I’m building up my catalogue now, so hopefully that goes well. I plan to do more gigs and focus on my live approach. After that it’s all about moving up, national and God willing international. There are people I would love to work with and learn from, places I want to go, different music I want to experiment with and cultures I want to experience