Anyone saying that advances in technology haven’t profoundly influenced the dance music industry would need their head examined. At the fingertips of DJs and producers lies the ability to work their magic quicker and more creatively than ever before. Additionally, they can now develop their skills at a much younger age. While once the most basic electronic music hardware cost thousands, software many times more powerful can now be obtained for free. Similarly, life altering DJ sets from the best in the world are only a download away when previously, aspiring DJs would have to wait till they were old enough to sneak into clubs for comparative enlightenment. So what is it that makes Atlanta’s Habersham (Damon Fonooni) so highly regarded in an era when a successful twenty two year producer is no longer a novelty? For starters, Habersham not only shines when compared to his similarly aged contemporaries, he is judged by many progressive breaks fans to be among the best in the world irrelevant of age. Just as importantly, with production partner Numinous, he has promoted and fostered new talent through his labels, radio show and event promotion company, displaying maturity far in advance of his years.

“Much of the motivation behind Blueprint Recordings was to support new talent and have an outlet to push music we felt people should be hearing,” confirms Habersham. “I sent Chris Micali Rhetorical Question for a remix and within a day he came back with the sickest record we could have imagined. In turn, Numinous and I decided to start Blueprint Recordings, largely due to Chris’ music and because the three of us have always shared the same mentality and approach to life. I do try and be proactive in supporting artists out there, whether it’s simple words of encouragement to be original or trying to offer some direction. I have shared experience and knowledge with a lot of artists I’m lucky enough to call friends now, such as Darkarma, Blake Potter, Darius Kohanim, Jake Todd and Blue Room Project to name a few, and that proactive role has been reciprocated by them all.”

Perhaps Habersham’s philosophy stems from having one of Melbourne finest, Phil K, as a mentor and supporter. Discovered by Phil when Habersham’s production career was still in its infancy, Phil quickly ensured Habersham’s days in the shadows were numbered, including Mister Cool on the critically acclaimed ‘Balance 004’ compilation. More recently, two of Habersham’s tracks were on Dave Seaman and Phil K’s ‘Renaissance presents Therapy Sessions’ compilation. “Phil has been the most important influence on both my music and my thought processes and ideas,” reveals Habersham. “I have been so lucky to have his support and feel greatly indebted to him. In fact, with every song I write I constantly ask myself, ‘Will Phil be into this?’ and this question reiterates my need to keep pushing forward and striving to reach new levels and goals.”

So what is Habersham’s next goal you may ask? Well foremost is an Australian tour that will see him based in Melbourne for almost a month. “The decision to stay for a month came about for a lot of different reasons,” he explains. “First of all I want to truly experience Melbourne and its people to the fullest. Another reason is everyone I know there, Phil K, his manager TC, Luke Chable, Anne Marie Christensen, Aaron Roach, Dean Millson and loads of others encouraged and supported my decision to come over. Of course, a big reason is the chance to spread the music I love so much to the other side of the globe from where I am, and to work on music with others while I’m there. I’m definitely hoping to work on some material with Phil K, Luke Chable, Andy Page and Vance Musgrove, and couldn’t think of anything I’d rather do more. I’m really excited about the gigs I’ll be playing.”

As far as long term goals are concerned, Habersham is involved in a project that is playing a part in revolutionising the music industry. “Our greatest current endeavor is a digital downloads site, www.EDMDigital.com,” he excitedly informs me. “Institution Recordings, Cure Recordings, Blueprint, and Lobotomy have all teamed up to share with the world the highest quality mp3 downloads available. We have incorporated virtually every genre of electronic music, from IDM to Electro to Progressive and Breaks, and most recently Tech House and Techno. The list of producers and labels we currently feature is too long to list but includes artists such as Chris Fortier, Jeff Bennet, Digital Witchcraft, Derek Howell and Smight; and labels Fade, Guidance, Citrona, M-Theory, Mas Collective and Deep Recordings. Our goal is to provide fans and DJs alike with music from artists that have nothing but the purest passion for all that we do. EDM Digital is a lot more than just a library of over 700 tracks, it’s really a like-minded movement and revolution to bring the focus back on the artists and our music we hold so dear.”

While better known internationally as a producer, having heard many recordings of Habersham’s set I can vouch for his talent as a DJ and he is certain to surprise many Melbournians with a skill level that belies his age. “I’ve actually been DJing since ‘98, so I have a bit of experience for a twenty two year old. To me there’s nothing more redundant than hearing the same records being played over and over by so many people. I try and bring something new to the listeners, so that they walk away and remember my sets. But I definitely am all about dropping the funk for everyone to shake their ass to. After all, it is DANCE music right? I’ve really been digging some minimal techno and electro of late, but I play a lot of techy progressive, breaks and house as well.”

All of which is perfectly encapsulated in Furball, his self confessed standout track to date, written with Phil K and Dave Preston under the moniker ‘The Operators’. “There’s something to be said about a song that you never get tired of playing or hearing, as they come around so infrequently,” he reflects. “I feel that track is so well balanced, the right amount of funk, the right amount of melody, and the right amount of dirty groove to really make it accessible to fans of different varieties of music.”

The trio are also responsible for Lobotomy Records, a new label with Furball its inaugural release. “Lobotomy Records is a means for us to have a label that focuses on purely original music,” Habersham explains. “The songs we sign are always set apart from run of the mill dance music, and the sound we are going for is a fusion of electro-tech-house-quirk-glitch-funk in all its varieties, from breaks to 4/4 and in between.”

Habersham plays Ascend @ Altitude on Friday the 27th, Revolver on Saturday the 28th and Sunny on Saturday September 11th.