From Fake IDs To Manning The Decks

The Perth Boxing Day party Breakfest has always had a strong local contingent — even before taking in the much-loved Tiny Club bill in the toilets. In 2015 international headliners like the Stanton Warriors, Danny Byrd and A Skillz will be joined in the Belvoir Amphitheatre by Perth's own Miss Demeanour (aka Ashleigh Fanning) and Jordan Scott. "Jordan and I are going back-to-back on the day," an amiable Fanning confirms. The tag-teamers are hoping to surprise each other as well as partygoers. "We've played together only once before — a couple of weeks ago," Fanning reveals. "The energy between us is ridiculous. We're both very, very similar in what we play. But we also have a lot of tracks that neither of us have heard... So it's a really good vibe with both of us behind the decks." 

"Those two are just bringing out this ridiculous, pumpin', bangin' bass sound. I'm just frothing on their stuff at the moment."

Fanning, a onetime under-age clubber (hence the cheeky DJ handle!), has a long history with Breakfest as a punter. "I think I tagged along with my brother and some friends when I was actually 17. I managed to score a fake ID [laughs guiltily]. One of my best mates and I, we just rocked up and we had no idea what to expect. We just walked over the main hill and looked down at this amphitheatre — and it was people dancing everywhere, an unreal vibe. We just both looked at each other in awe. Ever since then we've been back every year — we're absolutely hooked. It's hands-down the best day of the year." Fanning first DJed Breakfest last year, recalling it as "a mind-blowing experience". In 2015 she herself wants to catch several acts. "I can't wait for DJ Marky. I've seen him before and his vibe is just absolutely unreal." She'll likewise check out Stanton Warriors, describing the Brits' latest album Rebel Bass as "absolute fire".

Again, Fanning began DJing partly because of her sibling. "My brother started DJing when he was quite young," she says. Fanning hung out with him and friends and they'd all mess around with turntables — she'd even embrace wax. "I was just kinda surrounded by a whole heap of really keen learners who were also keen to teach. We all just learnt together." Fanning uploaded her premiere mix in 2012, leading to gigs (her first international support was for Marten Hørger at a boat party). Today she's a resident at the acclaimed Ambar.

Though Fanning originated as a drum'n'bass head, she's expanded her sonic repertoire, becoming ever more modishly hybridised. "I've just progressed through drum'n'bass, through some electro sort of sounds and now I focus more on breakbeat." Her top artists for the year are Frenchman Habstrakt and California's JAUZ — the latter of whom just conquered Stereosonic. "At the moment I've been absolutely loving my bass trap stuff," Fanning says. "Those two are just bringing out this ridiculous, pumpin', bangin' bass sound. I'm just frothing on their stuff at the moment."

Fanning is staggered by how a SoundCloud can attract listeners globally and the DJ's aim is to add original productions to her account, when she can find studio time between DJing and studies. "I'm not actually producing at this stage," she says. "[But] I definitely, definitely have plans to... I want everybody just to stay tuned."