Getting To Know… DJ Dove

Getting To Know… DJ Dove

f: Hi DJ Dove, it’s a pleasure to chat with you today. How are you?

DJ Dove: The pleasure is definitely mine, and I’m doing pretty well. 

f: Please tell us a little about yourself, where you’re from and how you started making dance music?

DJ Dove: I was born and raised by Cuban parents, I’m originally from Hoboken, NJ, and I started producing Dance Music in 1994.

f: Who did you listen to growing up, and do they influence your music career at all today? 

DJ Dove: I grew up listening to guys like Todd Terry, Marshall Jefferson, Ten City, Fingers Inc. and Robert Owens, to name a few.

f: How would you describe your sound?

DJ Dove: I started in the Deep/Soulful scene, and I try to keep that vibe, but with a bigger and edgier sound, catering to both small and big rooms. 

f: What was your first release? 

DJ Dove: My first release was a track I produced called “Take It To The Bank” for DJ Disciple’s Street Experience EP Volume 1 on a small independent label in NYC called Muzik Pushers Records. 

f: Which of your own tracks was the biggest labour of love to create / personal favourite? 

DJ Dove: With everything that’s been happening recently, my perspective has changed. I would’ve said “Illusions” but now it’s definitely “Lonely No More”.

f: And your most successful release?

DJ Dove: My most successful up to this point has to be “Illusions” but “Lonely No More” when it’s all said and done might change history. 

f: You’ve just released your new single ‘Lonely No More’ on Toolroom, what can we expect to hear?

DJ Dove: It’s a feel-good record, dancefloor worthy for sure. But what I want people to hear even more so is the message about not feeling lonely and thinking about the good times you’ve shared with people. Not to let it mentally wear you down. That’s where mental health is very important to sustain.

f: Are you pleased with the results?

DJ Dove: At this present time, I feel undeniably grateful and satisfied.  

f: The record is a fresh play on Val Young’s mid-80s soulful classic, ‘If You Should Ever Be Lonely’, what made you choose this track to work with?

DJ Dove: This generation of music lovers, for the most part, doesn’t know about the song. And I think it could resonate with not just the older generation, but the new. If you can not only sing along to it, but you can relate to it and use it as a positive, then I’ve accomplished what I needed to do.

f: Over the years, you’ve collaborated with the likes of DJ Disciple, Inaya Day, Sandy Rivera, and Junior Sanchez, among others. Who else would you love to collaborate with?

DJ Dove: Well, if I’m fortunate, I would love to collaborate with people such as Bob Sinclar, Barbara Tucker, Mark Knight and Todd Terry. 

f: What’s your favourite piece of studio kit? 

DJ Dove: My favourite studio kit is the Akai MPK Mini MIDI controller. I definitely get the most out of my dollar utilising it since trying it last year, 2024.

f: What’s been your favourite gig so far this year, and where are you most looking forward to performing soon?

DJ Dove: Well, there’s definitely no place like home. And when I mean home, I mean Hohm Brooklyn, the venue, and it’s a must that I play extended sets that I do exclusively for them. They and the crowd are that special. I just love playing, so any venue I look forward to it happening. I embrace every opportunity.

f: Looking back, what precious music career advice would you give to your younger self?

DJ Dove: I tell people all the time now, because it was told to me as recent as 2017 by my good friend Harry Romero, to don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and experiment by producing something different than your norm. 

f: Which dance track holds the most precious memories for you?

DJ Dove: Oh, this is an easy one. It’s by Alyus “Follow Me”. I’m all about messages and songs, and it doesn’t get any more powerful than this song.

f: Who are your top 3 current producers? 

DJ Dove: Dennis Ferrer, Harry Romero and Tiger Stripes.

f: What else are you working on at the moment that you can tell us about?

DJ Dove: I’m working on my 3rd full album, which is called “The Underdog”, which will drop hopefully the beginning of February on my own imprint Grind City Recordings. I’ve added some collaborations, so I’ve extended the date of the release. And of course, a follow-up single for Toolroom Records, which hopefully they will like.

DJ ‘Lonely No More’ is out now on Toolroom Records. 
Toolroom.lnk.to