When you think about it, accidents can be some of the best things that happen to us. Ever gone grocery shopping for a party, only to end up with tons of extra items that ultimately turned your average party into the talk of the town? Who doesn't need a vodka melon? (Please drink responsibly and at least appear classy.) But what if that party changed someone's life trajectory?
That's what happened to Rob Silas, AKA Si-Dog, over 20 years ago at an Orlando rave. The Breakbeat DJ, producer, label owner, and event producer stumbled upon the booming Dance scene in Florida and has since made his mark as one of its more involved players. After hearing Si-Dog's story of how he discovered a passion that was already inside him, waiting to be unleashed, you may end up unlocking a little passion of your own.
From the start, Si-Dog was born for a bigger stage than his hometown, Connecticut. He was wired for the big beat. Si-Dog was an active drummer at the age of eight but says he wishes he had started at five1. He gravitated towards Heavy Metal and,
"...anything that was syncopated... Rush, Neil Peart, Metallica, Queensrÿche, Dream Theater. I own the drum set from the 80s Japanese band, Loudness--only one in the world, Mother of Pearl."
Outside of these drum-centered Rock bands, Si-Dog was also listening to old school Hip-Hop like NWA, which,
"...had a Rock feel to it, Run DMC-same thing, Onyx, Splack Pack, and 2 Live Crew... Miami bass."
With tastes like this, it follows that he was into artists with a harder sound. But it wasn't until he grew tired of the static local music scene in Connecticut and moved to Florida to switch up the energy and scenery that he would find his true calling.
Once he got to Orlando in 1993, Si-Dog set out to find a band in need of a drummer, and he quickly found out that Heavy Metal wasn't exactly pouring out of the speakers from every house in Florida. Instead raves and breakbeats were on everyone's minds. Interestingly, this worked out for Si-Dog, since the percussion in Dance breaks spoke to his inner drummer.
When he saw DJ Icey for the first time at the Energy Rave, Si-Dog knew all at once what he had to do: DJ, produce, and put together events. He started out as a DJ in 1994 and picked up production in 1998. In between, he learned the ropes from guys like DJ Rob-E, DJ Icey, Andy Hughes, Jason Brown and Kram. Interestingly, Si-Dog actually started his DJ career with an unsuccessful first gig.
"Brought my own gear to the club/bar. They had no sound. I brought a 25 watt stereo amp to power my turntables with my 2 18” subs and tops… 1st track, I blew the amp. No music for the rest of the night. I had to pack up and go home. The venue had to play out of the jukebox all night."
Thankfully he didn't let that experience discourage him, because Si-Dog's first original track proved to be a much more memorable experience, with good reason. Engineered by Jason Brown in his studio, the Phunk Phactory, "Kick That Rhythm" came out as a finely tuned machine to get people going on the dance floors. Based on the track's sound quality, you'd think a seasoned producer had turned it in for his major label debut. Instead it hailed from a newcomer by the name of Si-Dog and was released through Phattraxx.
Since his debut, he's come into his own by keeping the percussion in his music front and center while developing his ear for layering melodies. This musical style has gotten him recognition on the Beatport Top 100 charts multiple times. Bass, attached to a beat like a tendon plays off muscle and bone, is also a constant in Si-Dog's work.
If you've done your homework, you may also catch familiar drum and bass patterns, like the one featured in his track with Bradley Drop, "What You Do." Since he grew up with some classic old school tracks, Si-Dog incorporates them as well. Those with knowledge of the era genuinely appreciate when they hear it, while new schoolers who wouldn't know Jam Master Jay if he slapped them across the face can still rock out to it.
Selling 3,000 copies of his first single, Si-Dog continued to put out new music under Phattraxx and was featured as a DJ in many of their shows, including some wild New Year's Eve parties. Due to differences in opinion, Si-Dog eventually decided to leave to start his own venture, and 1999 saw the birth of DogEatDog Records under his direction.
DogEatDog Records not only houses artists from around the world, the label also organizes events like Bassgiving and WMC poolside parties at the Carlton and Clevelander Hotels. They even have reunions that pay tribute to Florida's legendary 90's Breakbeat culture. The label celebrated its 15 year anniversary last year at the Congress Rooftop in South Beach.
But at the end of the day, Si-Dog isn't in it for the money.
"Honestly I do it for enjoyment. I'm 42 now. That I'm able to do what I loved doing as a 20 year old, and still be a married man with 2 kids, is a home run in itself."
If you're thinking of sending in a demo and learning from one of the best, keep these points in mind, straight from the big man himself:
- Quality production
- VERY minimal samples. I have 6000 records and heard over 500,000 Electronic tracks in my life. I know if someone is sample happy.
- Good transitions
- I like big builds as well
Connecticut eventually called him back home in 2000, when a club in Hartford asked him to be the main DJ as well as the international talent promoter. With a sour taste in his mouth from Phattraxx, Si-Dog figured that a short six month stint back home would be a good break, especially to see some friends and family. Little did he know that those six months would stretch into five years.
After taking a full break from the scene from 2006 to 2011 to start a family & pursue his "adult" career, Si-Dog came back with a vengeance, and produced was a all out monster, winning a Global Remix contest. it was Deekline's smash hit “Can’t Hide It” and Si-Dog won in grand fashion topping over 500 other submissions. His mix received 10,000 plays on soundcloud in the 1st week he released it, and gained global attention from many of the top producers in the game. He was back.
"It was a dream Track for me to remix, coming into the scene in 1993 when piano house was HUGE, I just loved it... So I wanted to incorporate all my inspirations in this one... Old skool piano house , Electro, and Heavy Metal with the dub half time break...It just felt right as soon as i started it, I never been more focused in the studio then this track…...I thought of all my mentors & Friends Rob-E, Andy, Sandy, D Xtreme, Cliff T JB, Carl, and how I missed doing what I was born to do, I called my wife, (which I never do with any of my tracks), and said I think your gunna like this one. [laughs]"
Today, Si-Dog travels back and forth to Florida around 10 times a year. He still manages to balance his label business, remixing music and creating new tracks, and putting together events to this day. When we asked about the ideal event he'd like to assemble, he replied,
"I always wanted to do multi genre. I loved Trance in the day, too. Paul van Dyk vs. DJ Icey-same stage, back to back. Probably call the event Pipe Dream [laughs]."
We can't wait for that to come together, Si-Dog.
1. ["I got my daughter her 1st piano lesson on her 6th birthday (laughs)."]^
Last Call
1. What is your favorite movie of all time?Caddyshack / Spaceballs / Spinal Tap. Top 3. All hilarious and amazing.
2. As a young DJ, who was the one DJ you looked up to? Dj Rob-E.. 1st and foremost, & many others to mention that paved the way. Andy Hughes, Icey, Sandy, Cliff T, Jason Brown D-Xtreme, Stylus.... I missed Ahaz, but Kimball Collins belongs in this list. . I don't think many of us have any history without him..
3. As a DJ, what's your biggest pet peeve?I play a lot of 1 offs, so the DJ before you that has no concept of time and rolls over his set time without a care. Hasn't happened to me in a while but that always bugged me. I don't even say anything. Just let them go with it.
4. What is your current set up at home?Look at my Facebook photos of my custom DJ booth. It was bought in UK and made in Puerto Rico. I love it. It's all custom fit turntables (2000s) and my amps... and rotary mixer. New studio will be up after 1st of the year. I was in a move in 2015 so it's down now. I have some great ideas.
5. What's your favorite record of all time?IMPOSSIBLE to answer. Favorite EDM tracks: Rhythm of Life - "Touch Me.” That was my wedding song dance with my wife. That or Mental Generation - “Café del Mar." My favorite album is Metallica - Master of Puppets. No brainer.
Keep up with Si-Dog on his Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Keep up with DogEatDog Records on its Facebook and Youtube.
Bryan Hahn is thinking about what kind of Dance music some of the great drummers in history would have made. He's on Twitter: @notupstate.