Dr. G is on a roll. The Brussels-based artist has weaponised grooves not just to blow up dance floors, but as a way to stir up emotions. He plays hard and fast but always with meaning and a signature bass sound that unites everything he does. Though he wears his 90s and 00s influences on his sleeve, they get folded into contemporary sound designs that have taken him all across Europe and Australia.

He joins us in Croatia for Terminal V in mid-July and before that has served up a taste of what to expect: big and bouncy beats, turbocharged synths and sunny sounds to match the mood of warmer days. It's a fast-paced trip through vibe-filled house and garage that will keep you going all year long, so stick it on and find out more about the man who is G by name, G by nature. 

What is your very first musical memory? Where were you, what was playing, can you remember how you felt?

My very first musical memory is Kellogg's Music Maker, it's a basic program that came as a free extra in a cornflakes box. I was about five or six, barely able to read, so I had my parents install it on the old PC. It had a handful of samples and loops you could drag, drop, and combine. I became completely obsessed, spending hours experimenting with different combinations. That was almost twenty years ago now. I firmly believe that this is how my passion for music production got ingrained in me... 20 years later and I'm still as obsessed!

Interview

What was the very first time you felt like you had achieved something in your DJ/production career? Does a certain gig or tune stand out for some reason?

"Ways of the Underground" was the real turning point for me. It was the first track that started gettingnoticed online (100K streams now). Seeing so many people listening to it, pick it up and play it just felt incredible. I felt very lucky.

You like to play 90s and 00s sound to bring a familiarity that makes people happy, but how do you make sure that your own productions have a signature sound that isn't just a copycat?

I have my own distinct groovy bass sound that very few people can replicate; that's my signature. It's what makes my tracks unmistakably mine, even when I'm working within familiar 90s and 00s territory.

You join Terminal V in Croatia this summer - do you pack your USB stick differently for sunny, outdoor gigs in summer than club gigs in winter?

Depends on the festival and lineup, but generally, yes. Sunny outdoor sets call for funkier, housier tracks. The vibe shifts, but the groove never leaves... you'll still hear it's me.

What do you think is the best medicine for a happy and healthy life?

Trustworthy and deep friendships, a content, independent, and curious mindset, and engagement with arts, culture, and history, anything that stimulates the mind.

Tell us about your mix, the aim you had with it, and what you wanted it to say.

For this mix, I combined my different tastes into one coherent story, starting with housey and garage vibes and progressing toward a more driving groove sound.

What gear did you use, is that important to you in any way, whether in the booth or studio?

I used my small DDJ, nothing special. I'm also just a bedroom producer, so I firmly believe it's not the car but the pilot that makes the difference. A better car might get you further, but it's still the pilot that gets you there.

What are you working on for the rest of the year?

Music, music, and more music. Some great releases coming up very soon so very excited for that!