20 Questions With Dubfire: ‘True Techno Music Has Never Been Better’
In the techno hall of fame, Dubfire exists alongside the greats. The producer, who was born in Iran and moved to Washington D.C. as a child as his family fled the Iranian Revolution, has been a fixture in the global scene for more than 15 years, playing under both his techno moniker and as half of Deep Dish, his longstanding and beloved progressive house project with Sharam.
The artist born Ali Shirazinia has been putting in work on both projects as of late, releasing his two-track Redacted EP, a collaborative project with Argentinean artist Flug, in late October, shortly after he wrapped a week at ADE in Amsterdam. He played a whirlwind of showcases, including the annual Homeless Homies fundraiser, which donates 100% of ticket profits and a portion of drink sales to homeless shelter in Amsterdam and the home of techno, Detroit.
More from Billboard
Next month, Deep Dish will play their first shows in London in more than a decade, premiering a load of new music to intimate crowds at venue The Cause. Dubfire will also globetrot to Tulum, Mexico in January to play at Damian Lazarus’ annual Day Zero party.
Here, he reflects on ADE, the passing of Jackmaster, the state of techno and more.
1. Where are you in the world right now, and what’s the setting like?
I’m currently in Montreal, recovering from the marathon 12-hour set I played at Stereo with my Deep Dish co-pilot Sharam. That kind of DJing is a dying art so we aim to not just entertain our audience, but inspire the next generation to step up and keep it alive.
2. What is the first album or piece of music you bought for yourself, and what was the medium
Ultravox’s The Collection on cassette. I didn’t really buy much vinyl — I was purely a cassette tape guy.
3. What did your parents do for a living when you were a kid, and what do or did they think of what you’ve done and do now?
We came to the U.S.A. initially not intending to stay, but the Islamic Revolution forced my parents to take up odd jobs to keep us afloat after we chose to stay. Though they had hoped I’d take up a reputable profession, they nevertheless helped launch the first Deep Dish release and watched in amazement as I began to tour the world over that decade and beyond. They have always been my biggest support.
4. What is the first non-gear thing you bought for yourself when you started making money as an artist?
It must have been a pager.
5. If you had to recommend one album for someone looking to get into dance music, what would you give them?
Global Communication’s 76:14.
6. What’s the last song you listened to?
Blixa Bargeld and Teho Teardo’s “Starkregen.”
7. You just spent the week at ADE. What are your big takeaways from the experience?
Choose all the panels you want to see in advance and schedule your meetings around them. Do not go out to any parties until Friday, and never try to organize an event unless you work with a local promoter.
8. What were your best ADE moments?
Catching up with legendary dub producer Adrian Sherwood at Melkweg and meeting with Armada at their incredible offices. Deep Dish couldn’t have found a better home.
9. You participated in the Homeless Homies event, which raised money for homeless organizations. Tell us what that program is and why you were compelled to participate?
Donating my name and time by playing an intense afternoon techno set is the least I can do to help the homeless epidemic. It’s inspiring to watch how committed [event organizers] DJ Bone and Ahnne are to easing, and eventually eradicating, homelessness in Amsterdam and Detroit. I wish more DJs, myself included, gave themselves to worthy community service.
10. What’s going on in electronic music right now that you’re most excited about?
The new STEMS feature in Native Instruments’ latest update of Traktor Pro is a game-change moment for DJing and production. I’m also excited by the sheer quantity of dance music which defies categorization, sitting comfortably in between genres and sub-genres.
11. What’s going on in electronic music that you’re over?
Social media and poseur DJs.
12. You won a Grammy in 2002 with Deep Dish for your remix of Dido’s “Thank You.” Did winning that award change your career in any way?
I can’t say that it had any residual effect.
13. Were you at the awards ceremony when you won? If so, what are your strongest memories of the night?
I recall Coldplay getting an award for their first album and going through the backstage press maze together with them.
14. You posted a really lovely tribute to Jackmaster after his passing last month. Do you have any great Jackmaster memories you’d like to share?
It is still incredibly tragic to think about; his brother who I hadn’t met reached out to me after my post with a very sweet message which was touching. We all knew, and saw, how loved he was by the sheer number of posts which surfaced, and in some way I think that helped our dance music community cope with the loss. I do recall another time where we DJ’d the same event in Valencia, and he was dancing and singing to Danny Tenaglia’s “Be Yourself” in complete bliss when I dropped it at the end of my set. I would notice this often with Jack; he’d become completely immersed in this music as if he was in a trance. It was beautiful to witness that.
15. What’s your take on the current state of techno?
True techno music has honestly never been better; I am buried in quality tracks at the moment, and these are mainly from newer, younger artists. Though it seems to be getting sidelined by this new form of EDM that is cloaked in techno which I find incredibly cheesy and irritating.
16. What artists are you taking inspiration from lately?
Joy Orbison, Chl?r, SNYL, Nick Cave, Einstürzende Neubauten to name just a random few…and believe it or not, I’m completely obsessed with Lykke Li at the moment; especially her ü&me EP which is achingly beautiful.
17. What cities around the world feel the most exciting to play in right now?
Buenos Aires, Barcelona and Miami.
18. What’s the best business decision you’ve ever made?
Quitting my day job, which allowed me to pursue my dreams full time.
19. who’s been your greatest mentor and what’s the best advice they ever gave you?
My mother who forced me to park my money in real estate.
20. What’s one piece of advice you’d give your younger self?
Buy a villa in Ibiza.
Best of Billboard
Sign up for Billboard's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.