Find out more about how Hannah Dobson fell in love with dance music, her favorite moments from past events, and more!
Name: Hannah Dobson
Rave Name: Dobby
Age: 22
Hometown: Solana Beach, California
Occupation: DJ
Facebook: Dobby
Instagram: @its_dobby_
What was your first electronic music event?
The first electronic event I ever went to was Alesso in San Diego. It was my senior year of high school, and I had really grown to love EDM over the course of the previous years. After seeing him perform, I was immediately hooked. The music, the lights, and the entire vibe of the event and the people attending it was addicting.
After that, I went to every event that I could, regardless of whether or not I knew who the performer was, because I wanted to be exposed to as much new electronic music as possible.
What/who influenced you to attend your first event?
During my freshman year of high school, I first started listening to electronic music. It started with songs that were mainly popular at the time, but I was so entranced by the sounds and positive vibes they provided, I began to branch out and listen to all different kinds of music I would find on Youtube or SoundCloud.
I could not stop listening, searching, and dancing to this music, so I knew I had to attend an event. Finally, a friend of mine shared with me his same love for the music, so we decided to go to a show together.
What is one moment from an event that was special and why?
A particular moment I will never forget was at Hard Summer in 2015. I was at Bro Safari and was caught up in my own world as I was dancing as hard as I absolutely could. When I finally looked up, an entire group of strangers had formed a circle around me and were getting lower and lower to the ground.
During the buildup of a song, I began getting lower with them, and finally, when the drop came, we all jumped up and creating a massive dance circle/group, most of the people I did not even know. At the end of the song we all cheered and high-fived each another and instantly became a group for the rest of the set.
That moment just goes to show how friendly the community is at these events, and I have encountered many of these same types of situations since. But this one is the one that started it all and a memory I could never forget.
What is your favorite festival or event?
There are so many festivals on my to-do list that I am absolutely dying to go to, but of the ones I have attended, Hard Summer has to be my favorite. They always have such amazing lineups, and it gives me an opportunity to see performances from a variety of DJs in all the different genres I love. One moment I could be headbanging to some bass music, and one hour later I could be at a different stage shuffling to one of my favorite house producers. Each year I have gone, I have had nothing but an amazing time.
What is your favorite electronic song and why?
This is probably one of the hardest questions to answer. As of right now, and ever since I heard it for the first time, it has to be ‘Losing It’ by Fisher. He is such an incredibly talented producer and has so much energy and fun while he is performing that it only adds to the vibe of the song. I catch myself listening to it multiple times a day because it is such an upbeat and groovy tune.
‘Party Tutorial’ by Cut Snake is also up there, because just like ‘Losing It,’ it is so energetic and fun that is always keeps my feet moving. Both songs change the style of the drops throughout as well, which makes each one totally unique but also incredibly catchy and fun.
Who are your favorite artists?
I have a lot of different artists since I love a lot of different genres. But I would have to say my top favorite artists are Fisher, Cut Snake, Anna Lunoe, Chris Lake, Billy Kenny, Chris Lorenzo, Claude VonStroke, Born Dirty, and Shiba San.
When it comes to artists that produce other genres (besides tech/deep house), I love Rezz, Jauz, Alison Wonderland, RL Grime, Troyboi, and Malaa. Sorry, that was kind of a lot but that was another very hard question.
What are your favorite genres?
All in all, my favorite genres are tech house and deep house. Bass house and future house are also up there, so I guess you could say all subgenres of house music are my favorite. I can also get down to trap music as well as bass music of different kinds.
What do you feel your “Identity” is in the electronic music community?
As much as I love being a person in the audience dancing my heart out, I truly feel my identity is behind the DJ booth. My love for electronic music grew intensely to the point where I wanted to be the person hyping up the crowd and providing them with an amazing experience.
I have been DJing for about 3 years now and have played a variety of different shows and parties that truly inspired me to want to continue to DJ for as long as I can. I really hope to one day be up on the stage at these events I have attended so many times and be the DJ lighting up crowds and giving them the amazing time I always have had when at an EDM event.
Is there anything else you would like to add about yourself for the readers?
I do have a SoundCloud page where I post mixes I have made and repost songs that I love. I will be starting at an electronic music production program in the fall where I hope to start making my own tracks and post these originals on my SoundCloud as well.
Feel free to check out my page to give a listen to some of my mixes as well as some other bangin’ tunes I enjoy.
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