DJ Dan Slater...From Down Under to White Party Palm Springs
Article written by Alexander Rodriguez, host of On the Rocks with Alexander
One of Australia’s hottest exports is DJ Dan Slater, heating up the scene with his signature beats and popping up literally everywhere around the globe bringing life to the party…and yes, he’s not hard on the eyes either. With those chiseled features and bulging muscles, he started off in the nightlife industry as one of the most in-demand dancers. His love of music and knowledge of the business side of clubbing earned him the respect of promoters around the world.
With the advancement of tech and music apps, everyone can call themselves a DJ nowadays mixing tracks with a touch of the button. But no insta-DJs can compete with the actual skill involved in reading the crowd, knowing your beats, and being able to put on a show. Starting his DJ career with a bang, he was declared winner of the Sydney Mardi Gra DJ Spin-Off Competition, and the rest is history. He’s performed his music and enjoyed residencies at some of the biggest parties in the world – Winer Party Festival in Miami, White Party in Palm Springs, PV, & Bangkok, Circuit Festival and Barcelona and Miami, XLSIOR Mykonos, and the list goes on and on to every reach of the globe.
He's also played spun for high-end fashion, beauty, and film events for L'Oréal, Schwarzkopf, 20th Century Fox, and more. He’s also remixed for the best, including Cher, Britney Spears, and Ultra Nate. As COVID winds down, DJ Dan is back on the scene jet-setting to a party near you and with more music on the way.
Between flights, he stopped by to drop the beat for this Andrew Christian exclusive as we chatted about going from dancer to DJ, coming out, having a sweet tooth, workouts, and DJ shenanigans:
Was it hard for the industry to accept your transition from Dancer to DJ?
At first, there were Australian promoters that said I wasn't a "real DJ" and I really struggled to get gigs over there because I was playing a different sound from what they were used to hearing. I've been always inspired by European and South American music, so I had to prove myself and hustle. After many setbacks and rejection, being persistent paid off and here I am in the US living my best life & fortunate to be DJing at some of the most incredibly special events around the world.
Who were some of your earliest musical influences?
Mum & Dad loved music, and they always has records playing at home. They had a very eclectic collection ranging from musical theater, Stevie Wonder, and countless Motown artists, Christopher Cross, Carole King, Whitney Houston, & The Gypsy Kings. As long as there was music we'd all be jumping and dancing around.
What do you love most about your Australian upbringing?
I loved that I got to experience and see so many parts of Australia with my family. We spent a lot of time together as my parents were both teachers, It's an amazing quality of life there, and I was very fortunate to grow up there.
What was the most difficult thing to get used to in coming to the States?
I don't think I have a very strong Australian accent, but I joke with my friends I've had to learn to speak American. When I first started coming to the States sometimes people didn't understand me at all which is difficult and frustrating. It's all about being patient and open-minded.
What has been one of your favorite DJ performances, and why?
I actually brought my Mom to Circuit Festival in Barcelona and on her first Atlantis Cruise in 2019. It was one of my favorites because she was able to see what I’ve achieved, and she loved meeting everyone that I work with too.
What is the craziest story you have from your DJ memories?
Craziest story... I'm not sure if you want to know, or if I should even be mentioning it. Hahaha.
What is your weekly workout routine?
I usually go to the gym five times a week and do a yoga class once a week too. I live in South Beach so I am constantly riding my bike everywhere.
What is your creative process when creating a new set?
Usually, you'll get a music brief or have a chat with the promoter in the lead-up to an event. Sometimes there is audio that might need to be produced too for shows or surprise moments. But when putting my set together I'll make sure I check through promos and find & buy new tracks to keep things fresh. I also like searching through old sets to find songs I haven't played for a while. I try to put tracks in an order I think will follow right through a set, but then sometimes I might select songs while I'm DJing depending on the energy from the crowd.
What do you hear first in a song? The lyrics – the melody – the beat?
That's a great question. To be honest it could be the lyrics, melody, or beat. Every track is going to be different, and you'll hear something that catches you. The beat for sure but vocals really get me!
What singer would you most want to remix next?
Ada Vox from Queen Of The Universe is a singer I want to remix most. Ada's vocal range is incredible and gives me goosebumps.
What kind of music do you listen to during your “off” time?
Disco, Deep & Tropical house is my jam! But I also like it when there is no music playing.
What is your coming-out story?
As I was growing up and discovering who I was, I often thought I was different. If I had thoughts that I was gay I'd just brush it off, thinking it was a phase and it would go away. Well, it doesn't... I was dancing for Dannii Minogue back in Sydney and met my first boyfriend. This gave me to confidence to come out to my friends and family. It was like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders. Everyone was so accepting and supportive which I will be forever thankful for.
How do you unwind after playing a long set? What is your after-show ritual?
Most of the time I have to go straight to an airport to get to another city and event. But especially after a long set, I need to eat and sleep. It's exhausting playing 6-8 hours, and sitting on a couch watching trashy TV is the best way to unwind.
What are your booth must-haves – what do you HAVE to have with you in the booth during each set?
I have a real sweet tooth, so the majority of the time I have a collection of Twix, Sour Patch Kids, or Starburst FaveREDs in the booth.
What does this upcoming Pride season mean to you the most?
Fingers crossed, this will be a continuation of things going back to normal work-wise. But for this Pride season, it means so much to me to be reunited with friends that we haven't been able to connect with since the start of 2020.
How has the club industry changed the most since you started?
Over the 10 years that I've worked as a DJ, the industry has definitely had a push towards more weekend festivals in locations we could only dream about. I feel it's constantly evolving, people are open to different music and experiences as well as going to "straight" festivals more and more.
If you were to design a pair of Andrew Christian underwear, what would they look like?
They would most likely be a simple black or white brief and have a pocket in the side of the bum for your phone. I'm always losing my phone at home and that would come in very handy.
Join Dan at White Party Palm Springs 2022! Tickets available here
You can follow DJ Dan Slater on IG: @danielsl8r