Deejay Katch

DJ Katch

For the better part of two decades, Brisbane’s DJ Katch has worked as a DJ and musician. His output over that time and his dedication to hip-hop has resulted in him becoming a key figure in the Australian hip-hop community through his band Resin Dogs and label Hydrofunk Records.

Originally accompanying break-dance group B Boy All stars during world expo 88 in Brisbane, it wasn’t long before Katch’s mixes were in demand outside of the breakdance scene. Distinctly aware of the lack of hip-hop being played in and around Brisbane, He took up a weekly spot at the Brisbane community radio station 4ZzZ. Establishing the Phat Tape program, a radio show dedicated to hip-hop now into its 20th year. This program was the first of its kind in Brisbane and helped to introduce audiences to hip-hop from the USA and UK, as well as offering exposure to the many underground hip-hop acts operating throughout Australia.

In 1989, Katch took part in the annual DMC championships in Queensland and for the next three years running was the QLD champion. Retiring from the competition in 1991, promoting a number of hip-hop parties that year, it was these events which would eventually lead to the formation of the label Hydrofunk. These parties were not only the first of their kind in Brisbane but also brought together the four-elements of hip-hop in a glorious celebration of sound and culture.

At this point with Katch’s scratch DJ skills becoming more widely recognized, he found himself being invited to perform and record for a number of bands including Regurgitator and Elevation which was the early basis for Resin Dogs.

Throughout the mid-nineties most of his focus was on Resin Dogs, with the collective touring nonstop. Following a number of sold out national tours, the band signed to Virgin Records for the release of their debut album Grand Theft Audio in 2000. Following the massive success of the release, the band went on to play every major festival around Australia for 3 years. The follow up album Hi Fidelity Dirt in 2003 resulted in the Dogs touring overseas for another 3 years at all of the prestigious festivals including Womad (UK), Colours of Ostrava (Chec Republic) and Siget in Budapest Hungary as well as being invited to play at Fabric by UKs Plump djs, Air at Rhythm factory by Ali B. Sell-out shows at Cargo and Carling Academy Resin Dogs reinforced the size of the Resin Dogs fan base throughout the UK, Ireland and Europe.

Alongside the live performances with Resin Dogs, Katch was maintaining a number of key residencies around the country including weekly and monthly slots at venues such as Brisbane’s legendary Rics Café holding down a 7 year residency, Berlin Bar, Minke Bar, Funktrust @ Globe in Sydney and various other venues, also being invited to play in the UK with slots at The Cargo Club, Dog star, Rhythm Factory London, the Legendary Family & Friends in Manchester and Blue Note (Ireland). Supports for NZs Fat Freddy’s Drop, Kora, Salmonella Dub, Shape Shifter, Questlove, Turntables on the Hudson’s Nicodemus, Blackalicious, Lyrics Born, Good Vibration Festivals, Elements hip hop party, Red Bull Music Academy to name a few, recently he was asked to DJ the store opening in Perth and Brisbane for international fashion label BALLY producing special mix cds for the nights, performing special dj set for GOMA at Queensland art gallery for the Picasso private collection exhibit

A true legend in the DJ game, DJ Katch has not only been at the forefront of the hip hop and Turntablist scene since it first kicked off in Australia but he has continued to lead the charge both as a DJ and a producer. If you want to know where cool, funky hip hop and soul came from, where it is today and where it’s heading, DJ Katch is your man.