Hailing from the drought-stricken country town of Narrabri, Wato is back in Melbourne and gracing us with his ocker-presence in the studio this week to talk some tunes and complain about the drought.

His musical journey started at 5 years of age when he learnt to play the piano. He then picked up a guitar when he was 11 and learnt drums the following year. He was a part of his high school concert band, playing the triangle, and in his senior years of high school, started a rock band with some mates where he did lead vocals and rhythm guitar. After leaving his hometown, Wato moved to Canberra to study – playing in several other bands at university.

His passion for music of all genres never ceased – one minute he’s exclusively into deep house, the next he’s into blues and dubstep. It’s an audible rollercoaster that has no definite end – from old school hip-hop to heavy techno, mid-2000s electro, American country, disco, trap, 80s pop, house, Tchaikovsky and then some more house. He listens to and loves it all.

Wato then spent a few years in Sydney, and after having enough of the lockout laws he moved to Melbourne. There, he immersed himself into the Chapel Street scene, expanded his musical repertoire, and finally took up DJing. His obsession with both tune selection and technical mixing make him a highly adaptable DJ who isn’t afraid of taking a risk to make the room move.

After too many kick-ons, he bailed from Melbourne and moved back to the bush. Even though he’s not out until sunrise dancing to techno in clubs, Wato is still involved in music every day. He now hosts a radio show in Narrabri while blogging, creating mixes, producing sounds, recording ads, discovering more and more tunes, revisiting more and more genres, and playing more and more bangers.

Wato’s passion for music is immense and we can’t wait to have this loveable akubra wearing country boy in the studio this week to talk some tunes!