Q&A with Don Dali

We chat with Gold Coast born, Florida-based Don Dali, who is making serious waves in Latin music abroad

We discuss studying at Berklee, living abroad and being a GRAMMY Cultural Foundation Ambassador

1. Tell us about your upbringing. You grew up on the Gold Coast? How did your love of music and production come about?

 The Gold Coast is amazing for music and I feel is often overlooked when it comes to it. Dad and I used to visit festivals organized by the city and I think that's where I realized I truly wanted to do music for the rest of my life and that soon became the main focus of my school life - learning, practicing and getting as good as possible.

2. Tell us about your journey from modern jazz fusion into DJing and producing in the Latin music scene? Does your earlier music style continue to influence the music you’re making now?

 Musically, I think starting in Jazz was incredibly important to build my understanding and skills. To this day I think it's one of the things that sets my style apart from others and a strong foundation in jazz truly allows me to understand the music. Bringing that knowledge into my production, it allows me to quickly craft exactly what we are looking to convey. 
 

3. How did moving abroad expand your musical project and opportunities?

 Moving abroad at 18 years old, as difficult as it was at times, was necessary for building the success I've found at this point in my career. I always believe in throwing yourself in the deep-end and forcing yourself to swim and that's exactly how I've approached my career from the beginning. To put it short, if I had to do it all again... I would.

4. How was your experience studying at Berklee? What were the most important/ useful things you learnt?

 I'd say there are two big things I learnt from studying at Berklee College of Music. First is hard work; there is no such thing as luck. I'll explain. The Roman philosopher Seneca is quoted to have said "Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity", and I couldn't agree more. To even get into Berklee I would skip classes to sneak off to the music department of my school and practice all day, every day. I ended up being accepted and being offered a scholarship. However, when I got there, I realized how much more I had to do. For a time, I was practicing 15 hours a day to get as good as I became. And I approach every opportunity with that same work ethic, because I know if I don't... Someone else will.

5. Latin music is the fastest-growing streaming genre globally. What do you make of its growth into non-Spanish speaking communities? 

I'm not surprised at all. When I started in Latin music just over two years ago, I was working with artists who had 100,000 monthly listeners on Spotify. Two years later, the same artists have hit up to 25 million monthly listeners and growing. A testament to the massive growth and impact of Latin music. I think in Australia, we're only just starting to see this impact since we're so far away from where it's all happening. But I think it's only a matter of time before it becomes one of the major genres even in Australia, an English-speaking country.

6. What is your favourite thing about working in the Latin music scene?

 It's been an amazing honor to be welcomed as warmly as I have been in the Latin culture and likewise an honor to be part of its international spread. I've met some of the coolest people and worked with legends whose music reached me in Australia even growing up on the other side of the world. One big thing that I can for sure about Latin music is that it makes you move, and since the start, that's been super important for me to provide for others.

7. You are a Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation ambassador. What does that role entail?

 I received the position by being rewarded a scholarship from the foundation that rewards students that are excelling in Latin music. Thanks to them they were able to support my studies. Since then, the foundation has almost been like a bridge of me being a student and entering the professional l world.  Continuing off my previous answer, it's an honor to be part of the growth and success of Latin culture that I believe is so beneficial for our world in its art, culture and beauty. That's something that being in the role of Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation ambassador allows me to do. Thus far I've had the opportunity to be immersed in the culture through helping at a multitude of Latin Grammy events including the 25th Latin Grammy in Miami in 2024.

8. What would you say to any APRA AMCOS producer members who are interested in working in the latin music scene?

 I'd say: like you approach anything, spend time on it. Talk to the people, learn the culture, understand the rhythms and the lingo, the nuances of the music and the differences of each country and that'll be a great foundation to create great Latin music. Most importantly, do it if you really are passionate about it. Because you'll never truly understand something fully unless you're passionate about it.