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DJ Mag Top100 DJs
73
Will Sparks
5

From: Melbourne, Australia 
DJ style: “Fully sick.”
Best known for: “Melbourne bounce.”
What’s the next new big track? “‘Obsessed’ by Joel Fletcher.”
Breakthrough DJ/producer of 2016: “Tyron Hapi.”

Will Sparks is a guy you should already be familiar with. Touting himself as a leading light of the ‘Melbourne sound’, whilst you’re more likely to get a witty response rather than anything too serious if you ask him to describe what he plays, we can definitely confirm he is indeed ‘fully sick’. Still in his early 20s, the rate at which Sparks has released Beatport Top 10 smashes is overwhelming — to put it mildly. His breakthrough international bomb, ‘Ah Yeah!’, grabbed No.3 in the overall charts at the end of 2012. 

That work ethic has only intensified since then, and the rewards are already coming thick and fast. Hence residencies at spots like XS in Las Vegas, and a stint on stage at Jay-Z’s Made In America festival, something perhaps made even more impressive considering this guy is not American. Having already been ranked by Billboard magazine amongst the planet’s most exciting young talents, all the smart money in the room is on his ascent up the DJ Mag Top 100 DJs list to continue as his success reaches ever-greater heights. 

What have been the new frontiers for you this year?
“For the first time I’m releasing on different labels — some being renowned, like Spinnin’ and Armada.”

Is electronic music taken seriously enough as an art-form? 
“Yes, I’d like to think so. Anything creative in any way or shape is an art-form.”

What’s the best new bit of DJ/production technology, and why?
 “These days, obviously, touring is much easier — being able to just take USB sticks to play with and a laptop to produce!”

If you had to switch your style to another genre, what would it be?
 “I have deep passion for heavy metal, so I’d probably go pick up the Ibanez again.” 

What can be done to prevent drug-related deaths at dance music events? 
“Pill-testing and educating the public. I also hear that a lot of the causes come from punters taking their whole stash at once because they see sniffer dogs.” 

How can we increase diversity in dance music? 
“Drop the hate. I hope one day there will be a way social media can stop negative activity online. If you’ve got nothing nice to say, don’t say it at all.”

WORDS: MARTIN GUTTRIDGE-HEWITT