An Interview With Australian DJ And Vocalist, DJ PEBBLES!

Photo Credit- Paul Smith

Rising Australian female pop DJ and vocalist DJ Pebbles has released her debut single “To Not Love You.”

The dancefloor-ready track features a pulsating bass and handclaps that build toward an explosive drop and underscore Pebbles’ fiery vocals. Hailing from Brisbane’s vibrant electronic scene, she brings her sonic expertise to the states, moving to New York City after only having ever been there for a single day. Both beauty and brains, she will take the big apple by storm and attend NYU’s prestigious Tisch School for the Arts.

Learn more about DJ Pebbles in the following All Access interview:

Thanks for your time! Now that we are entering the fall of 2016, what are some words you would use to describe this year? What have been some of the highlights for you and your music?

Whirlwind comes to mind! Relocating to the US from Australia has been a huge transition. Previous to this I had only ever spent 2 days in New York; it was around Christmas so I’m trying to psych myself into getting ready for winter. Where I come from, winter days average around 73 degrees! It has been a real highlight working with Randy Jackson on “To Not Love You” – that has been very exciting.  I have such a passion for music and truly put my heart and soul into it. It’s such a thrill, and I’m very grateful to be able to release this song, I hope that everyone likes it and can see the fun that I had doing it.

Growing up, did you always want to be a musician? Can you recall your earliest musical memory?

My earliest musical memory was when I came home from school after music class in grade one and I went to my Grandma’s house and sang for her. I told her “I just can’t sing like the other girls” and she replied “of course you can’t, you sing like you do. Keep practising and maybe one day everyone will listen.” I hope that in time she might be right.

How did you come up with your name, DJ Pebbles?

Pebbles has always been a family nickname. My Grandad called my Mum Pebbles and in turn she called me Pebbles. It was a reflection of our Pony Tail Hairdo’s and also because we loved The Flintstones, a bit obvious I guess but the truth isn’t always the most interesting, but I like to think it’s a cute name with some sentimental meaning.

You recently moved to the States from Australia. What’s that been like for you? What do you think ultimately convinced you to move here?

Moving to the States has proven to be a much harder move than I expected. I have spent nearly every school vacation over the last few years in Los Angeles taking acting, signing and dialect classes but I always had the comfort of knowing that I would return home. New York is another league, so different to a sunny, slow-paced Brisbane. I am here studying at NYU, Tisch School of the Arts and as each day passes I realise that this is the place to be and how fortunate in am to be here.

How would you describe your sound to someone that has never heard it before?

I would say that it is easy to listen to, upbeat pop sound with loads of energy and feeling.

My mixes are original, pulling pieces of songs and spoken word that have been a part of my journey and putting it on top of a dance beat.

Let’s talk about your newest dance-pop single “To Not Love You.” What was the inspiration for it?

I think that a lot of young people may be able to relate to the story in the lyrics. Is it true love, or is it heartbreak? Should I stay or should I go? I know it’s not what’s best for me but I don’t know how ‘To Not Love You’. I wish I could say that I was singing about someone else’s experiences.

Do you think that being from Brisbane will come out in some way in your music?

Brisbane is my birthplace and where I grew up so I guess that’s all part of making you ‘who you are’ and has to have some influence as it is where I started. Music is such a universal language and you can take creativeness from what you see and what you hear wherever you are in the world. Although Brisbane is only Australia’s 3^rd largest city, there is a very vibrant club and music scene which I was very pleased to be a part of.

What’s it been like having industry mogul Randy Jackson work with you and your music?

I have loved my association with Randy and feel honored that he has been my mentor on this part of my journey. He is so caring, experienced and nurturing. We have a great relationship which I hope extends way beyond this song. You’re right, he certainly is a mogul for good reason.

How excited are you to begin school at the Tisch School for the Arts at New York University this fall? Have you already begun classes? What do you hope to gain from this experience?

I’m over the moon. I’m still shocked I was lucky enough to be accepted! Yes, we have started classes which are amazing, the staff is so knowledgeable and the students are all so talented.

Well I’m in New York, one of the most creative and inspirational cities on the planet. I hope to grow as a person and as an artist.

Who are some of your favorite artists and what bands continue to inspire you and your music? Who would you still love to work with in the future?

I would love to work with DJ Cola for sure. I also find Calvin Harris inspirational, I really admire how he is involved in all aspects of music, producer, singer, songwriter and DJ. I also love how he features some amazing singers on his original material.

Tove Lo is also one of my favorites; I love how passionate she is about what she is doing and I feel that her lyrics are so believable and relatable. She seems like she is completely being herself and I think that’s a hard thing to achieve. Her voice is very enticing and beautiful

When you aren’t performing, working in the studio, what do you like to do for fun? How do you unwind from it all? 

In my next to nothing free time, fun for me is going to the gym and hanging out with friends which helps me unwind. I have never been busier and never been happier.

At the end of the day, what do you hope is the message of your music? What do you hope listeners take away from your songs?

Above all I really hope that my music can make people feel happy and that they can relate to it in some way. Even though ‘To Not Love You’ could be considered a bit of a gloomy story, I hope that listeners still find it enjoyable and fun and can take some positivity from it. There have been countless songs sung about love and life because those feelings are so relatable, but I hope that my originality can be seen and heard. When I DJ, there is no better feeling to see people dancing and enjoying themselves, I feel very much a part of helping to make that happen.

Is there anything else that you would like to share with our readers about yourself or your music?

Even if I only make one person happy after listening to my music then I feel like I have achieved something. I am on a journey that began a long time ago, and the road ahead is a long one, but I am loving each day and will give it my all.