LumDimSum 1-on-1: WHALE!’s Bobby Dropper

Posted: January 26th, 2011 | Author: LumDimSum | Filed under: Bars & Nightlife, LDS Interviews, Special Events, Upcoming Events | Tags: DJ Assassin Eyes, DJ Bobby Dropper, DJ Event, DJ Fun Party, DJ Gore-Tex-The Musical, DJ Infinite Mana, DJ Lord Cheeses, DJ Patrick Yu, LumDimSum 1-on-1, Mark Knopfler, School Bar, T-Pain, WHALE!, Wings era McCartney | Comments Off

“200 tons of danceable rock and electro in the deep, dark hutong”

A new DJ event put together by six friends in the music industry, WHALE! is giving Beijingers something new to rock out to - an eclectic mash-up of really good (and danceable) music guaranteed to ensure a night of pure debauchery and madness.

For a better explanation of WHALE! and a taste of what you can expect at their next big night (this Friday, January 28), LumDimSum gets exclusive access to their very own Bobby Dropper.

LumDimSum Goes 1-on-1 with

WHALE!’s Bobby Dropper

LDS: Tell me Bobby Dropper, how did WHALE! come about?

After a year or so of a group of us getting together periodically at someone’s apartment to listen to music and swap recommendations, we thought about moving these nights to a public venue. The idea was never to have a big crowd, just to grow slowly if any other music geeks fancied joining.

“WHALE!” is a classic case of creation by committee. It is a wonderful example of 6 disparate voices uniting together as one to create something of almost no meaning or value, although perhaps the reason it works is that each one of the 6 DJs has attributed their own meaning to it. Powerful stuff.

After the surprise carnival turnout of the first night, the musical code for WHALE! has changed from “completely no rules” to “completely no rules as long as it is remotely danceable”. Trying to keep both the music geeks and the partygoers happy. Not easy.

LDS: Which musically gifted DJs made the cut for WHALE! and what brings you all together?

The core line-up is Assassin Eyes, Bobby Dropper, DJ Fun Party, Gore Tex – The Musical, Infinite Mana, Lord Cheeses.

A real rogue’s gallery of misfits and ne’er do wells. Never a dull moment.

LDS: To what do you credit the massive turn out for the first WHALE! party?

I guess a) there was nothing else on that night, and b) people are actually eager to go to a night that isn’t playing the usual dirge – where the music is truly eclectic. The idea just seems to fill a hole in Beijing.

LDS: What can Beijingers expect at the next WHALE! party this Friday, Jan. 28?

Well, if the last one was anything to go by, there will be DJs falling over behind the decks, DJs fighting over set length, DJs disgracing themselves in busy open-plan hutong toilets. I am responsible for more of these than I care to admit.

On the plus side, the room is packed out with discerning music fans. People from all walks of life – Good, honest people, just trying to get by and live their lives the right way.

I think our “thing” is the quality and diversity of the music though.

LDS: Do you have any habits/rituals before you get behind the decks?

I like to cover myself head to toe in goose fat and then whip my back with a birch branch.

LDS: Biggest perk about being a DJ? Biggest pet peeve while DJing?

Biggest perk is that while I am DJing I am not obliged to dance beyond nodding my head earnestly. I hate dancing. It is the devil’s work. Biggest peeve must be people asking for requests – always flatly refused.

LDS: Does Bobby Dropper have a signature drink?

Jack Daniels

LDS: What is the ratio of you playing what you want vs. playing for the crowd?

It is definitely more important to impress the other DJs – we all crave each other’s approval. We make a basic concession to the crowd in that the music has to be danceable but beyond that pretty much consider them to be unworthy scum.

LDS: If you could battle one other DJ in Beijing, who would it be?

I would run a million miles from a DJ battle, although that Patrick Yu does need to be taken down a peg or two. I might set DJ Fun Party on him.

LDS: Where do you get your musical inspiration? Do you have a music idol?

Musical idols would be Mark Knopfler, Wings era McCartney and T-Pain.

LDS: Other than DJing, do you have any other musical talents? Do you play any instruments?

Intermediate: trumpet, flugelhorn, piccolo trumpet, cornet, bugle, euphonium, tuba, flumpet, alpine horn, vuvuzela

Novice: trombone, french horn, guitar, piano, DJing

LDS: Does Bobby Dropper have any big plans for 2011?

If you told me this time last year that I would be being interviewed by LumDimSum I wouldn’t have believed you. After the success of the first WHALE! night and now this interview I am worried I might be flying too close to the sun. Too much too soon. I think I need to rein things in a little and take stock.

LDS: WHALE! aside, what else is in the works for Bobby Dropper?

Experts estimate that to fully master a classical instrument to concert orchestra standard takes 15 years of study. With this in mind I should be DJing with a full Orchestra in a little over 14 years. I sent the London Philarmonic a recording of one of my DJ sets and am still waiting to hear back. The mail is sometimes a little ropey in the UK though.

LDS: What is your favorite pastime when you’re not DJing?

I like writing poetry about my feelings. I also like to blend.

…And that’s a wrap!

Catch Bobby Dropper in action this coming Friday, January 28 @ WHALE!

Event Details:

• Date: Friday, January 28
• Time: 11PM-5AM
• Location: School Bar
• Address: 53 Wudaoying Hutong (A few doors down from Vineyard Cafe, entrance west of Lama Temple), 五道营胡同53号
• FREE ENTRY

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