Donatachi Interview - No Slowing Down

Interview by Sean Tayler

Meet Donatachi, a PC producer and DJ from Sydney! Always injecting a strong pop sensibility and packing a sugary sweet hook, there is nothing not to love. With an exciting future ahead of him, Donatachi is showing no signs of slowing down. Keep his name noted as one to watch in 2017 and beyond.

Futuremag Music: When were you first introduced to the music scene? 

Donatachi: I’ve been messing around with music since I was a teenager, but only really started taking it more seriously the last year. My bf listens to alot of lo-fi punk stuff and this idea of being self sufficent and independent really resonated with me. It also made me feel better about my own technical shortcomings lol! 

I wanted to see if I could translate that DIY spirit to glossy pop, I always aim for my music to sit in between that contrast of bedroom and major label productions.

Futuremag Music: Who are your biggest influences and why?

Donatachi: Cashmere Cat - I respect anyone who wears 3 layers on stage.

SOPHIE - He is just so crazy talented and creative. Also v nice to look at!

Britney Spears - because duh.

Futuremag Music: What was the process of making your new single 'In Rotation' what influenced it's production?

Donatachi: I always want my beats to be hyperactive and frenetic and the time I spent in Japan was so inspiring, it was like the IRL version of having 100 tabs open at the same time.

We stayed in Yoyogi which is right next to Harajuku and I was so consumed by this like frenzied energy and wanted express it through music desperately. 

Because I am an artiste (lol jks) I literally captured it by recording the super kawaii Yoyogi train jingle on my phone and chopped and pitched the sample into the melody in the song.

I had been stalking Gustine on SoundCloud forever cos she’s an amazing producer in her own right (S/O 2 Gustine) and like a classically trained harpist?! And she also plays for Fakeear who is like this huge French electronic producer. Her ADD aerobics instructor vibe is so perfect for the song and I was so lucky to have her jump on board.

Futuremag Music: What are your thoughts on the future of PC music for here in Australia and internationally?

Donatachi: The thing I love most about the PC music scene is not just the sound, but the ethos of constant evoloution, taking that risk when pop is probably about to have a resurgance of 'authenticity' (no shade ily Harry Styles) and to be so devoted to pushing pop into the future gets me so excited. 

My fam at Sidechains Club have truly embraced this and made it their own and I am so lucky to be apart of it. They throw the best parties in the country, have a cult radio show and are angelic social media influencers.

Futuremag Music: How did it feel to open for Mallrat and Oh Boy last month in Sydney?

Donatachi: OMG S/O 2 Mallrat + Oh Boy! It was so fun and Mallrat stans are so hardcore I love it like she is already a true icon. I want to thank each and everyone one of you who stayed until the end of my set even though I played Scooter - The Logical Song lol.

Futuremag Music: You're quickly becoming a tastemaker for PC music here in Australia, who on the international stage and locally are pushing the genre?

Donatachi: Boy Sim and Crapface are both so unique and individual I love everything they do. Local legends Fresh Hex and HI LIFE are ones to watch they are going to blow up you heard it here first DONATACHI APPROVED! I love you guys.

OMGGGG and Muki! She literally has Sydney shook!

Futuremag Music: If you could play at any major music festival, which one would it be, and who would be on the lineup?

Donatachi: One day I want to curate a show sponsored by Timezone and have all of my friends play and go b2b with Ariana Grande and Fifth Harmony (current lineup no shade) and Carly Rae Jepsen and then close with Jess Mauboy at like 10pm so no one is late for school the next day.

Futuremag Music: If you could make a cocktail called Donatachi, what would you put into it? To best describe you and your music? 

Donatachi: Probably the sweetness of pineapple juice, the bubble and fizz of sparking soda water and the bite and kick of Tequila. TBH it would mostly be tequila because I'm messy like that.