SIX FOR ONE: Katie Drover
We chat with the Melbourne favourite to celebrate her new release on Revolver Upstairs Records…
Aussies love Germany. In fact, according to this pre-COVID 2019 article, 'new statistical figures indicate more than 13,500 Australians are scattered across Germany, making the Bundesrepublik the most attractive European destination for Aussies after the United Kingdom.' What's surprising about that stat is Aussies still find the UK an attractive destination lol. Either way, Germany is filled with Melbournians who call Berlin home. If Katie Drover were an exemplar of the Australians relocating, however, we doubt they would care too much. Before Katie relocated overseas, she was (still is really) one of Melbourne's most popular and loved DJs. Our loss is their gain.
Not only was she a Revolver Fridays resident and a regular booking at 161, but she was also the subject of much speculation with punters. One minimal house-filled morning at 161's Breakfast Club an acquaintance asked my crew, 'Did you know she is a Biologist?’ We all reflected on that for a while. 'Nah, man, you're high,’ a fellow kick-on connoisseur countered. ‘I'm pretty sure she's a rocket scientist.' As Katie's rolling DJ set floated through the sunshine padded rooftop, someone gently reminded us to drink water. I pondered their statements. Biologist? Rocket scientist? 'Mmm, you're wrong,' I corrected them. 'I heard she is a Mathematician'. We never got to the bottom of it, but the point is: Katie Drover is such a talent that rumours of excellence are taken on board as fact without hesitation. The way she stitches DJ sets together does feel scientific, like musical alchemy. Her sets are kinetic, an energetic romp through all shades of house, a buoyancy reflected in her productions and label, Donktoku.
If you need proof check her new three-track EP on Revolver Upstairs Records. It is a proper showcase of her appreciation for various shades of house music: ‘Overthought' is a rugged stomp - think Chicago, but the House upgraded to Warehouse. 'Maniactic' is a delightful daydream: jazzy downtempo beats filled with a percussive flair. (You can practically hear the cruise ship bartender working that shaker to make your Pina Colada). After some classy house music? No problem, 'House Plant' has you covered. It's the sort of smooth groove Resident Advisor would lose their shit over if Fred P produced it. And finally, a trademark Alexkid remix sees 'Overthought' morph into an effervescent fizz that threatens to jump out from your speakers, kidnap you, and transport you to Berlin's Kater Blau. It’s all very good.
Katie Drover. Six For One below. Oh and if anyone can confirm whether Katie is actually a mathematician or a biologist or a rocket scientist that would be great.
Melbourne Memories
ABC TV rage Intro
‘The Rage Intro. I can’t tell you how many sleepless nights I spent watching this show. It was so addictive!’
German Recommendations
Tangerine Dream - Live at Coventry Cathedral (1975)
‘This might be against the rules a bit as it is not just one track but this pioneering German electronica group is pretty cool to see play live. They were so ahead of their time.’
Revolver memories
John Tejada - Sweat on the Walls (2004)
‘I played this one a lot through the years.’
Growing Up
Simply Red - Holding Back The Years (1986)
‘My mum used to play their Picture Book album a lot when I was young.’
Fundamental influence
Portishead - Roads (2004)
’No idea if it influences my sound or not, but I have always been in awe of their sound design. The texture of their productions is quite incredible, and of course, the way Beth Gibbons sings is haunting. I saw them live once and had tears streaming down my face half the time.’
an original we should hear
Katie Drover - Leap Year (2020)
‘I really like this one - and bonus points for it being on my own label.’
Katie Drover Overthought EP out now through Revolver Upstairs Recordings.