PARTY time with HIGHUP

MFA talk to HIGHUP about his latest release ‘PARTY’ with Snoop Dogg and Aryue, his success in Asia, Touring and what he has planned for 2021.

2020 was a year full of uncertainty and change and for some the year came as a blessing for some a curse. How do you rate your 2020?

2020 was a blessing for me in a way. I already had a jam-packed music catalogue ready to launch, so it really helped me push through that year with the music I had signed last year.

Participation in digitally streamed events during the Covid/Lockdown period was the way to connect with fans and share music, what was that like compared to playing in front of a live audience?  Was different preparation needed?

Yeah that was just weird, to go from playing in front of crowds, to in a studio with a green screen and trying to give the same energy.  As a live show it’s very difficult but still was good to get on the decks and play regardless.

You have started the year off touring with Tory Candy, are you glad to be getting back to performing in front of a real crowds?

Yes it’s going to be a great year to start with. I'm looking forward to coming and running amuck with Troy Candy! Can not wait!

After releasing the track ‘Okay Okay,‘ you toured with Bombs Away was that a fun tour to be a part of ?

Love the boys, always having a blast with them and doing cray things! Can’t wait to be back on stage with them.

 Who would you like to see live? Who’s on your bucket list?

I would love to see the Deadmau5 new show it looks so insane!!! 

Your brand-new track ‘Party’ is a collaboration with Aryue and Snoop Dogg and it has become a massive hit already with over 650k streams in its first week, you must be excited by the attention the song has been receiving?

I'm so overwhelmed it’s been a great start to see everything working and lining up, let’s see how the next few weeks go.  Now that the traction is picking up it will get a great number of streams all round :)

Snoop Dogg, the man himself did you have to pinch yourself when Sony approached you about working with him?

Sony came to me with these awesome vocals by Snoop Dogg. I accepted the challenge and teamed up with ‘Top 100 DJ’ Aryue to make this production.

The support of radio stations like the Radio Metro 105.7 on the Gold Coast that have you on high rotation must be very humbling?

 Love my Radio Metro Fam shout out to Vikki and Bilsy, they have been with me since Day 1.

Proving music transcends continents you have a huge following in Japan and feature #20 on their I-Tunes Hard Charts did that come as a surprise?

What really surprised me was going number #1 in Taiwan and the support that followed! 

What has been your favorite event to perform at or person you have performed with?  What’s been the highlight in your career so far? And why?

Highlight of my career (there has been so many) after blood sweat and tears, I think the best feeling is playing music that you’ve put so much time into, to play in front of a crowd, now you can not beat that feeling! So many Artists will say the same thing it’s just a real moment!

You have received support from the biggest names in the industry. Hardwell, Dimitri & Like Mike just to name a couple, is there anyone you would like to perform or collab with in the future?

 I would definitely love to collab with DV&LM and also Timmy Trumpet!

Where was your first gig? Was it a success or a flop?

First gig was Sarclub on the Gold Coast....wow that was a party!!

In your journey as a performer/group/musician have you changed?  Is life much different for you from when you started out? 

Yes 100% just more focused and it’s not just a hobby anymore when I didn't know what I wanted, but then coming back to DJ and starting Highup was the best thing I have done and I wouldn’t change that for anything!

Who in your crew or team deserves a shout out but never gets one? And what is they do that keeps your world turning?

 Love to shout out my amazing agency ‘Jump Touring’ and my epic management Akos and David!

What's next for you? What can we expect in 2021 and beyond?

So much is going on for 2021, next one is my release on ‘Musical Freedom’ Tiësto’s label and maybe a collab with Mashd N Kutcher in there too ;)