DJ Vadim is inbound!
Get ready Sydney, DJ, producer and beat architect, DJ Vadim is returning to Sydney this month! DJ Vadim will perform an exclusive performance at Sydney’s Metro Social on the 25th of July, with the artist set to deliver three decades of genre-defying music at one of Sydney’s most intimate venues, with support coming from our very own Cool Hand Luke and Chris Munky. We caught up with the man himself to find out more about his upcoming show, how the biz has changed over three decades and about that time he got threatened with a gun to play Michael Jackson.
DJ Vadim you’re heading back to Australia this month, how are the preparations going?
Very well thank you. Excited. It’s been at least 6 years since either was there.
For those attending your shows and that haven’t heard you play before, how do you describe your sound?
My favourite DJ sets is when I can take ppl on a journey into my crazy musical world. That’s wat happened 6 years ago when I played in Sydney what was supposed to b a 2 hour set ended up being a 5 hour free style. The truth is most if not all DJs work on auto pilot. Re playing mixes they practiced, Segway’s , blends etc. Its scripted like an abandoned set list is. And that’s fine but the real joy comes seeing ppl want more and u got to follow your heart and they follow you. So expect reggae hip hop jungle soul but if you make enough noise u just might catch me break dancing and playing some off the wall music
“Ppl love that 90s soul and hip hop sound, the clothes the fashion , even the tech with mix tapes coming back”
In your extensive career, you have released 31 albums as well as countless EP’s and remixes. How has your music changed, grown or developed?
It’s changed because life has evolved. Life is so different now to back in 1995. Thats 31 years ago. 31 years before that was 1964. 1964 was radically different to 95. In every way. And now in 2026 we look back at 91 and somethings are similar. Ppl love that 90s soul and hip hop sound, the clothes the fashion , even the tech with mix tapes coming back around but there are subtle differences. A computer back then has the processing power of a kids toy now. Wat we are able to do and re do. Even this year in the advent of ai music, its made me think about doing things in different ways..
How has the industry Changed?
Tech. Processing power and the ability to do everything in the box on a laptop. Thats amazing.
Streaming - now this is very contentious depending on who u talk to. I love Spotify. The ability to sit in your car and play everything and anything. All at your finger tips. U want deep delta blues, chicago jazz, Brazilian samba, India classics, Japanese flute, raw nyc raps, London DnB… its all there. However tech has led to this over saturation of information and giving ppl really short attention spans so ppl listen to posts for 5 seconds average. So I have 5 seconds to impress u .
“we live in a society where ppl have no problem spending 300 bucks on sneakers… or even 300 on a concert ticket but getting them to buy a cd or vinyl . Forget about it. ”
What are your thoughts on streaming services? Are they helping or hurting the industry?
I constantly see this online ppl talking about fuck Spotify fuck Spotify… the system is not perfect. Its dam far from that but its not 2010 when I was being bootlegged to fuck with these free sharing websites… ppl love to talk about the good old days of 80s or 90s… selling merch, vinyl’s etc.. but the real truth is only very niche things work in 2026. Its not 1995. Most pppl dont have record players .. It’s hard as hell to sell 1000 vinyl albums. I used to sell 50/100 thousand vinyls per release. That’s impossible now. The truth is we live in a society where ppl have no problem spending 300 bucks on sneakers… or even 300 on a concert ticket but getting them to buy a cd or vinyl . Forget about it.
Not only are you a DJ you also are a Producer and Label owner, which job do you prefer and which job do you try to offload where possible?
I like DJing and producing for different reasons. The pleasure of making music is eternal because the music lives forever but the feeling from rocking a crowd is instantaneous. It fades fast. Hence I know a lot of ppl who turn to drugs and booze to prolong that high…
“As soon as you really care what they think and try to make what you think they want, you lose. ”
What was the best lesson you have learned as you a DJ, a Producer and Label owner? What piece of advice would you give to anyone looking to take on all three roles themselves?
I guess that you have to love what you do and not give a flying fuck what ppl think. As soon as you really care what they think and try to make what you think they want, you lose. Most ppl are stupid and have no idea what they want. But they sure don’t want insecurity. Ppl love confidence and you have to believe in wat you do. If you respect your art, practice and perfect, you will find a way . Also do not get discouraged. I was turned down by every label - they told me I was shit, talentless , music is poor. But I believed. In my 30 years I also seen how many records that went on to be big records where turned down like the first Portishead album or Massive Attack but they didn’t give up because their A&R was clueless. You have to believe, believe, believe. To the point it’s nearly cocky…
Where was your ever first gig? Was it a success or flop?
I guess in my hometown of Kingston - South West London. At a local bar called Bacchus. It was a basement bar and at the front entrance on street level was a bigger than life ceramic chef. Well during my party there was a fight and someone threw that chef down the stairs. Its smashed. Owner was not impressed. Never went back there again… lol
You have played including Glastonbury and Fuji Rocks just to name a few, what makes a festival appearance different from a standard DJ Vadim show?
Festivals are usually way bigger. Also loads of ppl who wouldn’t normally come to you. So you can’t go deep as a club set. I like both. The ability to appeal to new ppl and rocking to a intimate crowd…
“There was a great fest in Sydney I played years back, I can’t remember the name. But it was FFD, Public Enemy Sharon Jones, Atmosphere, Brother Ali, Dap Kings.. David Rodigan… it was the line up from heaven!!!”
Are there any festivals you would still like to play but haven’t as yet?
Loads like Coachella never asked me, Roskilde(Denmark) Spigot(Budapest) …. There was a great fest in Sydney I played years back cant remember the name. But it was FFD, Public Enemy Sharon Jones, Atmosphere, Brother Ali, Dap Kings.. David Rodigan… it was the line up from heaven!!!
What’s the craziest or funniest thing you have seen happen backstage at a festival?
The craziest thing ever happen was when I was in Siberia and guy comes up to me in the club and said - You play Michael Jackson now. Raises his shirt and I can see a gun… lucky for me and him I like MJ…so I played sharpish…
You have done a bunch of collaborations, is there anyone still on your Wishlist to join forces with? If so why?
Erykad Badu, Yusef Dayes, Anderson Paak… the list is too long…
What’s been the highlight in your career so far personally? And why?
Having my daughter. That was and still is the best.
Who in your crew or team deserves a shout out but never gets one? And what is it they do that keeps your world turning?
My cat - Kook who sits behind the monitors and listens and watches my every move and my Border Collie.. also Echo Rek - my Italian crazy engineer. He a genius
Do you have a message for the DJ Vadim fans and supporters?
I hope y’all can come out and we mash up this winter vibes in Australia…
25/07 The Metro Social (Doors open 8pm – 1am) - Tickets on sale now via Metrotheatre.com.au
Interview by Michelle Symes
July 2026
