Passion is one of the most crucial aspects of doing anything in life because if you’re not passionate about it, you’ll eventually give it up. This is probably why DJ Dobrel has been doing what has needed to be done in regards to music since his 20s. He noted that DJing then was “a great experience to learn music in a more intimate way.” He knew then that he wanted more than to just listen and play, he wanted to create sounds as well. That’s where we start this back and forth with a man who dives into House, EDM, trance, and beyond. 

Kendra: What made you pull that trigger back in 2020 when you released that debut single, “Expand Your Mind?”

DJ Dobrel: You know I had released some stuff back in 2016, but didn’t follow up at the time with more music. I had other things going on at the time that didn’t allow me the time required to produce and release music regularly, but I started to pick it up again towards the tail end of 2019, and I guess it was partly down to the lockdowns that I had more time and fewer distractions to focus on the music production side of things and honed my skills over the last two years to the next level. Now I can just concentrate on making the music and being more creative. 

Kendra: Since then you’ve dropped some two dozen or so singles. Where do you draw inspiration from? Is there somewhere in Dublin that you go to feel inspired? 

DJ Dobrel: I’m lucky that where I live in Dublin I can get out for walks down by the sea or in a beautiful local park. It’s a great opportunity to listen to new music while walking and getting inspired by both the music and surroundings. I will make myself a playlist and just hit the road for an hour, the fresh air and walking help reset the brain before sitting down to produce. 

Kendra: What can you tell us about your 2022 single, “No One?”

DJ Dobrel: This is a banging tech-house track that sucks you in with a super catchy hook and bassline. It’s something I had made some time back but felt now was the right time to release. This one is perfect for all occasions if you want something with a strong beat to get you going such as at the gym, in the car, and hopefully in the club!  

Kendra: So you’re overseas where House music is so ingrained into the fabric of the nightlife and music scene. I was wondering how you viewed the American House and electronic scene? 

DJ Dobrel: There has been a strong tradition of House in cities like Chicago and Detroit; techno scenes are legendary worldwide. Also, you can’t discount Miami even if it’s more mainstream superclubs there is still an underground scene.   

Kendra: With it being March, I’d love to know what song you feel lucky enough to have heard in your lifetime? Like, what’s a song you’re thankful has existed while you’ve been here? 

DJ Dobrel: I have to call out a track by my hero Kerri Chandler did with Jerome Sydenham called “The System – You’re In My System,” it’s such a Deep house classic and it still sounds soooo good! 

Kendra: Lastly, with so many singles out now – what can fans both new and old be on the lookout for from you in the coming months? 

DJ Dobrel: There are so many tracks that I am currently working on and all at various stages of development, I think you will see a lot of collaborations dropping between some talented singers and in the style of Bass House, Deep house, and Tech House throughout 2022. 

I’m also looking to do a few remixes here and there! There could be an EP later this year also, and there are also a few special projects I’m working on across different genres like Trance and Techno, but most likely will be dropped under a different persona! I’m also hoping that the DJing picks up again this year after two years of lockdown.