A master of deep electronica, D’Phault is one of many talented producers coming out of South Africa. Following his debut release on Constant Circles in our SPIRALS series, we invited him back for a remix, a chat, and a guest mix on our radio show.
What is the story behind the name D’Phault?
D’phault (Pronounced “Default”) is actually a personal reminder for me and just my interpretation of the idea of taking things back to basics, to the fundamentals of music, life, art…Similar to what Constant Circles is all about.
What is your background and how did you get into music?
Well, my background and upbringing has always revolved around music, partly because my parents were so involved in the church and me having to be there all the time.
But my personal musical journey started when I bought my first house compilation,” Soul Candi Sessions 3”. My younger brother paid half of course; he’s a huge influence in my life and in my music.
How has your home country of South Africa influenced your music & career?
Growing up in an era when house music was always in my life and around me, it lead to me investing a lot of time and money into learning more about it, studying at ‘The Soul Candi institute of music’ being one of the biggest learning processes in music production. I never finished, and became self taught in most aspects of music production.
What is your production process and what are your key pieces of studio kit?
I don’t really have a specific process, but of late, I’ve been spending most of my production time on percussion and my NI Maschine helps a lot with that. Most of the time, it’s just trial and error. But the one constant is calling my brother to ask his opinion.
Do you have a certain sound in mind when you start each project? Do you think your music falls into a particular genre?
Recently I’ve been into a lot of the tribal elements, percussion and how I can incorporate that with rolling emotive bass lines. My music definitely falls into the Deep House and Electronica genres, more Electronica than anything else though.
What’s your dream label to release on?
Up until now it’s been Constant Circles. But I think that as I progress, I’d love to have a release on “Keinemusik” or “All day I dream”. I’m working towards that.
You recently remixed Mattia Pompeo’s ‘Dismantled’ on Constant Circles – how did you approach the remix and what direction did you take it?
As I was listening to the original and the vocal started, the remix idea came immediately. I reshuffled the kick, added a moving bass line and added darker elements to give it the Electronica feel with some dark Deep House elements as well, just to carry it.
What is the coolest gig you have ever played & why?
It had to have been my debut at Truth Night Club here in S.A. . It was probably the most surreal and emotional moments of my life, realizing that my music and purpose in life is actually taking me to places where I could share my passion with arguably, one of the best crowds in the world.
What do you have coming up in terms of releases and gigs?
I have a release on an Egyptian label coming out soon, with a remix from Talul which I’m really excited about. And then I have my 1st ever remix coming out On Constant Circles, which words can’t explain. Haha Buzz!
How did you put together your guest mix for the radio show & what have you included – any exclusives or surprises?
The mix I put together consists of some of the more influential artists I look up to and am inspired by. It has some new releases by Nico Stojan, Kora, Nandu and many more.
