Veteran vinyl DJ making first Hamilton appearance
Another of New Zealand’s veteran vinyl DJs is heading to Hamilton to deliver a selection of quality music.
Auckland-based and Englandborn Cian O’Donnell, 47, will play at city cocktail bar Wonder Horse on Saturday, December 10— his first-ever DJ appearance in Hamilton.
O’Donnell is a regular host on dance music station George FM, broadcasting The Earshot— a Sunday morning show spanning a range of genre and taking in some of the newest recordings available.
A record store professional since 1988 and DJ since 1989, O’Donnell is known for his ability switch effortlessly between an eclectic mix of genre to both fill dance floors and keep heads nodding in club environments, festivals and on his radio show. A typical set may include hip-hop, soul, electronica, house, reggae and African and Latin grooves, and his wide network of contacts has him well supplied with a nearconstant stream of new music.
He has been a permanent resident in New Zealand since the early 1990s. That commitment led to his launching of based record store Conch, an essential spot for many of New Zealand’s DJs and musicians.
Stocking everything from Jamaican 7s to electronica and beyond, the shop became the place to go for upfront music and home grown releases for both local and overseas visitors.
Hismusical connections also make an occasional event promoter, bringing in artists and DJs from around the world to appear alongside him and several friends at Auckland’s legendary and long-running club night The Turnaround.
With an unparalleled reputation after 10 years, The Turnaround event has played host to a vast array of DJs, producers, visual artists and bands from all over New Zealand and the world. International acts and DJs Benji B, DJ Mitsu The Beats, Gilles Peterson, Keb Darge, Grooveman Spot, Recloose, Doze Green, Electric Wire Hustle and Fat Freddy’s Drop have guested at the event over the years. His own recent DJing adventures have taken him to Shanghai, Beijing and Melbourne, where he played four different venues over three days.
O’Donnell is still sticking with DJing vinyl despite the nearendless supply of music available in digital format which he does access.
Wonder Horse co-owner Alex Williams says having guest DJs in the bar is rare, and to bring in a music professional of Cian’s calibre fits well with the bar.