Dj Dalai was rocking dancefloors in Auckland city between 2002 and 2014 but he lives a more quiet life in suburbia these days. Based in Auckland but never afraid to spread the love around his home country of New Zealand, Dalai quickly established himself as one of the Auckland breaks scenes leading lights, with an intelligent approach to set composition and a tight mixing style, he along with his regular cohort and partner in crime Dj Randomplay, became known for pushing a funky girls on the dancefloor friendly style while the breaks scene at the time was largely dominated by a darker heavier sound. 

He regularly played support slots for many touring artists, including: The Freestylers, Kid Kenobi, Evil 9, The Scratch Perverts, Deekline and Wizard, Rennie Pilgrem (who singled Dale out afterwards to the promoter for special praise on his warm up set - a career highlight), Napt, Koma and Bones, Dub Pistols, Drummattic Twins, Dj Hyper, Dopamine, Malente, gaining many plaudits and fans along the way. 

He started the brands: New School Funk and Insert Breaks Pun Here with Dj Randomplay, Tight Squad with Randomplay, Rob Knight and Mark Emerson, New Sound and also held a bi-monthly residency at Cassette 9 between 2010 and 2014 called Animals with Randomplay and Defcon One and then later just himself and Randomplay. 

After cutting his teeth as a host on small band radio station, Twisted fm, as well as being a regular guest and fill in host on the Lowpass radio show hosted by Page-3 on George fm. He eventually ended up getting his own show on George with Randomplay and Defcon One, also called New School Funk on Friday nights 8-10pm. This show ran from 2009 - 2010 before becoming one of the many casualties of the Mediaworks takeover. 

He played at Studio, Fu, Fu Bar (old and new), Zen, Ink, Code, Coherant, Morrison, Bacio, Asta, Coast, St James, Galatos in Auckland and regularly visited Buddha Lounge in Tauranga, Monkeyfeather and Catalyst in Hamilton and played one extremely memorable night at The Projection Room in Ohakune as a part of the Fallout Festival in 2007.

Following the decline of the Auckland breaks scene he moved into more of an wide ranging full spectrum sound with influences from, but not exclusive to, the Brokenbeat/UK Funky/Future Garage/Tech-House/Techno scenes in the UK. It's a sound that encompasses all his influences and experiences that came before and now he prefers to sum up simply as "Beats and Bass."

Stay tuned for more throwback mixes from the era Dalai was active. He will be periodically releasing different themed mixes to celebrate the good old days of Auckland's vibrant underground electronic music scene.

Funk'nSloCuts is Ryan Beehre. One of three members of pioneering Aotearoa electronica band Minuit. www.minuit.co.nz. Beehre currently resides in Nelson, Aotearoa, New Zealand. Funk'n'SloCuts is the vehicle in which Beehre explores a fusion of Trip-Hop, Funk, Soul, Hip-Hop and Breakbeat elements into his DJ style and musical productions.

Hey guys, 

Abbie here, Abbra from Bay of Plenty New Zealand. 

I’ve been in the NZ Hardhouse circuit since approx 2001- 2002 mostly in and around Auckland and Tauranga with a few gigs over NZ such as Welly, Christchurch, Timaru, New Plymouth, Hamilton & Rotorua, playing primarily vinyl and Cdj. 

I have a huge love for Hardhouse which will never fade, but more recently been playing a lot more Drum n Bass, Breakbeat & Melodic Techno. Drum n bass is a massive passion of mine now too! 

Having held my first Hardhouse residency with Decadance, and prior to that having toured NZ with a couple of the original Fevah NZ crew (circa 2001-2002), and playing at some of the most incredible gigs and clubs when the NZ scene was in its prime. Some of those include Slinky, Gods Kitchen, Zebedee, Decadance, Stereodays, Meltdown, Frantic, Industry, Meow, Octane, Born 2 Bang & many more (which I’ll update soon) 

Highlights of my time on the wheels of steel so far , my time on the decks at Roma nightclub in Tauranga will always be it as it’s where it all started for me with such an incredible crew who all turned into family for life ❤️ some other highlights have been playing the last set after Lisa Lashes on her “Lashed” tour 2003 at St James, Regent theatre. 
Then my absolute favourite B2B set ever with the incredible Lucy Fur at Frantic Fantasy, Space Bar Auckland in 2009. Such a weapon of a human that lass! 

I have many more pieces to add about the immense clubs these nights were held in, and the djs I shared this time with but I’m just throwing this in off the cuff so will be back to update this soon.

djdalai is following