Exclusive Interview: Dogma

This week in the Artist Spotlight we have a new Chicago artist on the scene, Dogma. Although he recently started his career in the music industry, he’s already made some great accomplishments. He recently played a festival afterparty in Toronto, Ontario and has played notable parties in Chicago including The Trap House, Porn N’ Chicken and Afterlife. Check out the interview we did with Dogma below and be sure to keep an eye out for this fresh new talent.

How did you first begin DJing/Producing?
Some very good friends in New York City got me hooked. I used to go out there to party with them and just have raging weekends the likes of which I never had here in Chicago. At one point I decided to bring the party home and take up the art myself. The rest is history.

Who is your biggest influence(s)?
So many to list here, I could probably go on for days. Feed me is hands down one of my biggest influences and favorite producers. Everything he does has amazing depth and polish on his production. Aside from him, the legends like Deadmau5 and Eric Prydz can’t go without mention.

What’s your favorite record of all time?
Tough call. Inside electronic music “4×4=12” from Deadmau5 or Feed Me’s “Big Adventure” Outside I have to throw back to the 80’s rock bands and say Van Halen “Van Halen”

What was your favorite party of all time that you have played?
Parties* Trap House. I’ve been fortunate enough to be playing there regularly for a while now and the environment, the people, the musical freedom all combine to make the best damn party atmosphere in Chicago. Place is just wild every night. If you’re ever in Chicago, it’s not to be missed.

Who do you want to collaborate with in the future?
Opposite ends of the spectrum here but if were talking a choose anyone type situation then Eric Prydz for sure. A bit more realistic choice would Bear Grillz or Snails.

What’s the most embarrassing thing that’s happened to you at a show?
I think we have all had one of those dreaded music stoppage moments at some point. Mine was at an outdoor pre party for the Indy 500 with a huge crowd waiting. Tunes had been going all night with no issue and everyone was feeling good. I set up to come on around 1am. Get on stag, drop a huge intro I had put together, everyone goes crazy, then BAM sound, lights, decks… everything off. Sitting there with 5 or 600 people staring blankly at me like WTF mate? Turns out the generator system the whole lighting and sound rig was running off of ran out of fuel. Great timing… HUGE buzzkill.

What do you like to do when you’re not working on music/DJing?
Travel. If I could leave today to explore the world and never come home, I wouldn’t think twice about it. If I could do that while playing music, then it would be a dream come true. I am also a video game and star wars nerd.

What is your opinion on the current EDM scene?
I think like anything in pop culture it’s a cyclical movement. It has really exploded into the scene in recent years and become mainstream. In the long run I think the “EDM” aspect of things will wind down like any other fad in the past. Or possibly evolve into another iteration of itself that might become more disassociated from traditional dance music. Leaving the more traditional styles intact with their core following.

What do you think will be the next big thing in EDM?
I think were seeing it now. The blurred lines between Pop culture like Justin Bieber collaborating with Jack U. I will never fault those guys for carving out a nice business model to make money since at the end of the day that’s the name of the game; but personally I am not much of a fan of it at all.

What do you think about all these “frauds” in the EDM scene using ghost producers, buying likes and purchasing their own tracks on Beatport?
It’s a cutthroat business and always has been. An unfortunate side effect of the modern internet based world is that it has turned the scene into a popularity contest more than ever. Taking the emphasis off the experience an artist provides and putting it on the number of likes or followers they have; or where they placed in some bullshit online voting contest. I don’t care how cool you look. I care about how you make me feel when I hear you play.

Is there any upcoming releases/shows we should keep an eye out for?
Some big stuff in the works but still top secret for now. Stay tuned to my social media feeds at facebook.com/dogmamusique or twitter.com/dogmamusique for news soon!

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