Dizz1

Known for his “feel”… Whether it’s scratching, drumming or programming those sideways beats… Dizz1 has a keen ear for that pocket sound.

Melbourne based turntablist, producer, drummer and teacher, Dave Norris (aka Dizz1) has been involved in the music industry for over 10 years, both at home and abroad, including two years in Japan.

Starting off as a DJ, he has worked and performed alongside the world’s best such as Grand Master Flash, Jam Master Jay (RIP), Jazzy Jay, D Styles, A-Trak, Plus One, Melo D and JRocc (Beat Junkies) plus many more. One major highlight in his career thus far included being invited by DJ Q-Bert to his hotel room for a four hour long, one-on-one scratch jam.

Whilst touring with Roni Size and seeing his drummer perform he was inspired enough to buy an electronic drum set and form dB Chills along with Mike (Alex Lloyd’s bassist) and Rephrase. Their debut album ‘Broke N Sound’ was released in 2000 and saw them hit the road performing at events including Australia’s Meredith Festival, Falls Festival, Field Day 2001 and appearing on Channel V.

In 2003 he became the drummer for Nubreed, the highly respected breaks act from Melbourne, and toured to every major city in Australia, Malaysia and New Zealand.

Then in 2004 he broke his neck, ending up temporarily paralyzed with a titanium plate fusing the C4, 5 and 6 together, which put him out of action for a while.

During this rehabilitation he began working in the studio developing tracks and expanding on his musical knowledge. Once full recovery was made he hit the road playing across the globe and continuing to fine tune his production skills as well as teach music production using Ableton Live and Logic, everywhere from Indigenous communities to prisons to specialised trade shows, creating his own unique curriculum focusing on promoting positive vibes through music, which has been fine tuned through over seven years as an accredited instructor.

Recently Dizz1 has been blowing up all over the place. From playing at Sonar 2010, attending the Red Bull Music Academy in Spain and getting air play from Gilles Peterson, Mary Anne Hobbs and Benji B on BBC Radio; through to performing alongside the likes of De La Soul, Mos Def, Roots Manuva, DJ Vadim, Guilty Simpson, Phat Kat, Oh No, Benga, The Bug, Gaslamp Killer, DJ Krush, Tokimonsta, Starkey, Stereotyp, N-Type, Lorn, Mt Kimbie and Loefah; as well as having his track ‘Konotakosuke Yaro’ feature on the highly anticipated Beat Dimensions 2 compilation on Rush Hour.

He has collaborated in the studio with Om’Mas Keith (Sa-Ra Creative Partners), Sadat X (Brand Nubian), Tame One (Artifacts), Frank Nitt (Frank N Dank), Mark Pritchard (Harmonic 313) and Steve Spacek (Africa Hitech), Stereotyp (Crunchtime Records) and the one they call Roots Manuva, as well as forming a new live project with DJ Dexter (DMC World) called ‘Curse The Machines’.

In November 2009 Dizz1’s debut EP ‘3^rd Time Lucky’ was released through the highly renowned Dutch label Kindred Spirits as part of their ‘Nod Navigators’ series and in October 2011 he released a more dancefloor based 12”on the UK’s Black Acre Records.

In December 2011, his record “Here We Go Again” was chosen to be the second Single on Roots Manuva’s ‘4everevolution’ album gaining high rotation on the BBC, Australia’s JJJ and other radio stations around the World.

2012 saw Dizz1 remix a track for DJ Vadim’s new album on BBE, as well as some massive remixes and tracks for both local and international artists and compilations alike.

Signing to Tru Thoughts in late 2013, Dizz1 is now looking forward to the release of the “Everyday Grind” EP on limited edition vinyl and digital, featuring collaborations from Om’Mas Keith, Aloe Blacc and Warrior Queen. Premiered by Fact magazine, the EP is set for an early 2014 release.

With the buzz well and truly built, it’s time to keep an eye out for this man from the land down under.