[PREMIERE]: Australia’s EDM Princess DJ Pebbles Drops ‘To Not Love You’
Nineteen-year-old DJ Pebbles has been performing since she was a young girl in Brisbane, Australia. She spent much of her childhood honing her acting chops and even modeling for prestigious Australian fashion icons like Carla Zampatti. It wasn’t until her last year of high school that she was introduced to electronic dance music via the festival and club scene. After falling in love with EDM, she spent 2015 learning the S4 deck, becoming increasingly inspired by attending music festivals and clubs that featured EDM. She then spent the remainder of the year writing and recording her own music…
With influences all the way from Beyonce to Nat King Cole, DJ Pebbles releases her first single, “Not to Love You” as her first foray into the music world. This track is classic EDM at it’s finest, with Pebbles’ melodic top line vocals and lyrics that pretty much all of us can relate to.
This fall, DJ Pebbles will also be embarking on another part of a new journey, attending NYU’s Tisch School of the performing arts, moving to New York City to live on her own. What a difference a year can make, and DJ Pebbles is the perfect example of working hard to achieve your dreams. Plus, way to represent for the ladies by learning the S4, an instrument that is usually mostly male dominated!
Let DJ Pebbles show you that it’s cool to pursue your dreams – albeit in a slightly over-achiever sort of way (which we say lovingly, and respectfully – You Go Pebbles!) by balancing college and a music career.
It seems as though 2015 served as a year of hard work. 2016 for DJ Pebbles will be a year of adventure, and it’s just beginning… Check out DJ Pebbles’ track “To Not Love You” and then peep our Q&A with her below!
First of all, we need the origin story – where did you come from? How did you realize you could make music?
I’m from Brisbane, Australia but I have recently moved to NYC. I am a typical sun-loving, beach-going Australian girl. My earliest memory of falling in love with making music was when I was 11 and would put on concerts for my family whenever I could, forcing them to endure hours of my singing and acting.
What are some of your influences? If you were to tell someone about your music that hasn’t heard it – how would you want it described?
My music has evolved with me as I have grown up. At age 16 I fell in love with dance music. The song “To Not Love You” is a up-tempo dance song with a very catchy beat and lyrics that I feel are honest and relatable. My mixes are very 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. I picked up DJing because I was fascinated with how much control the DJ had over a room and I wanted to learn more about the production side of the industry.
If “To Not Love You” were on a movie soundtrack, set to a specific scene maybe, what would it be and why? What is it about? Is it an anthem or a party song?
This song would work perfectly as a breakup song or a love song in a movie about the conflict of young love.
You’ve said that this song is about Not being able to imagine life without the person you love in your life – Is this song about anyone in your life specifically? Do you think fans will relate to this feeling?
Everyone has experienced heartbreak and the feeling of loving someone they know deep down they shouldn’t or someone that isn’t right for them. Originally this song wasn’t about anyone in particular, but after leaving my home and my first love to move to New York it has become even more relevant. I am on the opposite side of the world to him, but I just don’t know to stop loving him. Heartbreak with friends,family and boys is a part of growing up and I think this song touches on all those issues.
Do you feel there is pressure for female musicians to wear less and portray a very sexy image Do those pressures affect you and your performances in any way?
I’m not going to lie, this pressure is a real thing. Image plays a huge role for anyone in the entertainment industry. I believe it’s all about finding your own style and remaining true to yourself. A sexy image definitely has a powerful influence in the industry but so does originality and to me being myself is more important than wearing less and being sexy just to fit in.
How do you feel about attending the Tisch School of the Arts while pursuing your music career? Do you think attending college or a trade school is important in pursuing your dream?
I am so humbled and excited to be accepted into NYU, Tisch school of Arts. I can’t wait to immerse myself and study hard to soak up all that I can learn from such an incredible program. For me the next 4 years will be about finding the balance, as attending Tisch is a major part of my dream. I think in order to grow as an artist you have to grow as a person and I see no better place to do this than in the most artistic city on the planet. Yes I’m going to be very busy and I will have to work hard to find a balance, but life’s too short to not pursue what makes you happy.
How did you feel moving from Australia to NYC after only spending one day in New York? What do you think prepared you for making such a big move to a place so far from home?
Moving from Australia to New York City was exciting, but also very daunting. I come from a relatively small private girls school that I attended for 14 years with the same teachers and students. To make the switch to a big university like NYU where I don’t know anyone is a huge change. I have left all of my family and friends to try and achieve my goals. I don’t know how prepared anyone can be for this major transition, but I take comfort in having a very loving and supportive family and group of friends at home. I know that it’s not going to be easy, but I’m positive it will be worth it.
Any advice to others out there who want to pursue their dreams like you?
It is a bit too early for me to offer any advice I think. However, I will say that if you want something badly enough keep on that path and experience all you can. Dreams come true with hard work, originality and focus. That combination is unbeatable and can shine bright in any profession.
When can we expect to hear a full album from you?
Right now I’m working on numerous songs and mixes. I need to be absolutely in love with anything I release to the public, and making the right material takes time. It’s all about the journey not the destination so when it’s right I’ll release it. I’m not in any rush.
What’s next for you?
Balancing my studies with creating music and original DJ sets. It will be a balancing act, but I know I can handle it. I always believe in going against the odds and following my dreams. I am very excited to be working with such a respected and well known icon in the music industry, Randy Jackson, and am looking forward to what the future has to hold.
Where can we find out more about you? Social media links?
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/djpebbles_/
Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/inthemixwithdjpebbles
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DjPebblesMusic/?fref=ts
Photo by Paul Smith
