An Unprotected Interview With Partiboi69

Hailing from the Australian underground, Partiboi69 is a DJ, producer, martial arts expert, rapper, ketamine connoisseur, fashion guru, sex icon, and all-around renaissance man. He has quickly turned himself into one of the most baffling and beloved characters in all of clubland. He started his vivacious music career under the moniker Stingray back in 2016, offering up a medley of undoubtedly absurd and hilarious hip-hop tracks, dank beats, recorder solos, and other video musings of his character’s curious magnetism via his YouTube channel. He also started his label, Unprotected Records, where he could release his music without the risk of oversight or anyone trying to compromise his grand vision.

It was in 2018, after changing his name to Partiboi69, that he leveled up and showed the world his mastery of ghetto house, Miami bass, electro, Detroit techno, and of course, the art of the green screen. Donning his now iconic white New Balance kicks and crooked shades, Partiboi69 recorded his Live Ghetto House/Ghetto Tech Mix from a sacred space referred to as “The STINGZONE” and let the YouTube algorithm get to work. With a high-octane mixing style of pure, booty-bouncing adrenaline combined with an unrivaled stage presence, a cult following soon formed.

Partiboi69’s arrival is, in some ways, a distinct answer to much of the dance music community’s unruly appetite for faster techno, eruptive industrial, and breakneck electro. It’s also an answer to the staid, serious techno class. For many, the madness surrounding his sets and growing popularity screams, “we’re here to rave, don’t take yourself so seriously.” It’s a statement that comes backed up by genuine artistry, ceaseless energy, and underground prowess.

Partiboi’s true power lies in his unique track selection, mixing prowess, and kickass karate moves. While original tracks such as “Magnificent,” “Booty Flow,” and the Unprotected anthem “Always Keep It 69” may not be complex production masterpieces, there is a magic to them. They pack a raw and flammable punch on the dancefloors where Partiboi69 thrives.

After tearing down each venue that he blessed with his presence on both his EU and UK tours in 2019 and early 2020, his fans continue to flock online when Partiboi69 goes live from quarantine in “The STINGZONE.”

Having released his latest single “Nissan Skyline” last month, we spoke to the Partiboi69 about his first rave experiences, his label, green screen visuals, horses, and more in what was indeed an “unprotected” interview.

Take us back to your first rave experience.

I went to Stereosonic in Melbourne in 2010 and downed a couple of googs for the first time. They were the OG Batman’s that were getting around back then. Real face-melters, you know… I took too many on an empty stomach and made myself hella sick! Saw Deadmoose5 though. Was pretty wild stuff.

If you owned a horse, what would be his/her name?

Mr.? Biscuits

What do you think ponies dream of?

Being in a Partiboi69 video.

After your B2B with KETTAMA, are you planning on inviting any more contenders into the STINGZONE?

Was a blast hosting KETTAMA for a B2B live from the STINGZONE, his mullet fits the strict dress code, he loves sinking a few green demons and can play hard n’ fast. He’s a weapon. I had a bunch of new guests lined up for this year but will have to wait until after this corona shitshow to film them.

Who do we have to thank for your green screen aesthetic? Who helps you compile, film, and come up with the concept of your music videos and background imagery?

That’s all me, baby. Most of the green screen stuff I make on my own. The reason I started using a green screen was that it meant that I could be self-sufficient and didn’t always have to hassle my mates or sister to come and film me. That said, I’ve worked with some great directors and DOP’s for non-green screen content. I prefer working with other people. Stingboi Productions has a carefully selected team of POV specialists back home that I love working with.

What were some of the highlights of your recent UK and European tour?

Kyiv, Dublin, and Paris were massive highlights. The Kyiv club owner brought in two massive flame throwers for the show, which were fucking skitz! Nearly melted my tracksuit every time they went off, but it looked and felt powerful. So far this year, before coronavirus hit town, my German and Scottish tours were very unprotected. Getting denied from the guestlist line at Berghain twice in one morning was a definite highlight.

Do you have a Berghain experience you can tell us about?

I urinated in a certain someone’s mouth. We locked eyes while he downed the whole load. It was beautiful.

What’s your favorite form of martial arts?

After studying all the big ones for many years, I’ve recently developed my own form of martial arts called K-tech and Horse Flow. I’ve mixed my passion for self-defense and horses into an unstoppable sequence of combat movements based on the majestic motion of the horses. I’ll be launching online instructional videos in the coming months as well as opening academies in 69 unique locations around the globe.

Where did you learn your skills on the recorder?

I went to hippy school when I was younger. You had to play “Kumbaya, My Lord” in all 12 keys and master first-grade potions before you could graduate to grade two. I hated it back then. Big into potions now, though.

How many pairs of New Balance do you own?

I had about 20 pairs before I left Australia (all provided to me from New Balance free of charge, obviously) and I left them all on the nature strip outside my old house, so some local residents of Fairfield definitely own a part of history now.

What was the thinking behind starting Unprotected Records? When did you start it, and would you ever consider releasing music from other artists on the label besides your own?

I was sick of the process of sending demos out etc. I like to move fast. Once I finish a track or release, I want it out. Releasing on your own label allows you to be in total control of when and how your music is delivered. Plus, I’m a self-made man. I want to be in control of my destiny.

When it comes to other artists on Unprotected? Absolutely! I have a record coming out soon by some homies from Melbourne, DJ Ali, and Kendojubaki, plus a remix compilation of my Berghain club hit “Always Keep It 69,” which features remixes from Hector Oaks, VTSS and Jensen Interceptor. The Unprotected Records official mission statement is “Hard n’ Fast,” so I’m constantly on the lookout for heavy hitters to join the family.

Tell us about your studio setup. What are some of the essential items and pieces of gear you need to create an Unprotected Records track?

As I just moved from Aus to Europe, I’m currently running a super bare-bones setup: laptop, a couple of monitors, mic, midi keyboard, and Djembe. Back home, I had a couple of vintage synths. I’ve been a keyboard player in the past, so I really value having hardware to play around on to fuel my creativity. I love gripping knobs. For me, kick tone is super essential for the sort of music I make. To get the distorted, overdriven, and hard-hitting kick sounds, I rely on a good saturator. The Decapitator is my go-to, makes everything sound hard and gritty. None of this flaccid kick tone bullshit. Having a recorder lying around is always handy as well. You just never know…

Who are some other DJ-producers you’ve formed close bonds with?

Jensen Interceptor and I spent a couple of steamy nights together in Australia over summer. He’s a big inspiration to me, so I was fucking psyched to be playing alongside him and am privileged to call him a mate since. I’m still waiting for him to come to Brazil, though.

I’ve been wining, dining, and 69ing in real life and online with the best of them lately, Hector Oaks, DJ smokestack, Eclair Fifi, DJ ilikebigbutts, DJ Seinfeld, DJ BJ, BJ DJ, Mainline Crew, Amadeezy, Fjaak, VTSS, Mall Grab. All the big game players.

If you could collaborate with one artist in the world right now, who would it be?

I would absolutely love to make a track and video with Tommy Cash.

How much horsepower does it take to pull off a Partiboi69 set?

69 ponies under the hood should do it as long as you have a bit of the good stuff to feed them if they start getting a little frisky.

Name some artists that fans of your music should be paying attention to right now.

Skin on Skin, DJ Boneyard, Jensen Interceptor, Nite Fleit, DJ Ali and Kendojubaki, Raw Takes, Cyan85, Amadeezy, Turk Turkleton, Garneua, Juicy Romance, Assembler Code, Reptant, Tred, Polar Attraction, VTSS, Hector Oaks, N-Ter, Common Nocturn.

Plus, all the G-house legends like DJ Assault, DJ Deeon, DJ Slugo, Coon Daddy, Mr. De, DJ Godfather, Paul Johnson, DJ Funk, etc.

Are there any books you suggest for those trying to keep it 69? If you were to write a book/novel/autobiography, what would be its title?

The Kama Sutra is a great read. Also, The Report on Unidentified Flying Objects by Edward J Ruppelt is interesting. I’m currently in the research stage of my first novel. I’m writing a book about 69ing techniques throughout history and best practices for the modern relationship. I’ll be launching my own publishing company ‘Pill Press’ in conjunction with the release mid-2021. Stay peeled.

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