The Sounds of Shafaati

You’ll embark on a hypnotic musical escapade with the sounds of DJ Kam Shafaati at the leather and fetish party, Indulgence. Lachlan Bennett reports.

After spending years immersing himself in music and idolising his favourite DJs, Kam Shafaati purchased DJ equipment in 2009 and began mixing out of his bedroom.

A few years later and he’s amassed a huge gay following, performed twice at Mardi Gras and is responsible for mixing a monthly podcast, Liquid Logic, that has over 10,000 listeners.

Shafaati is headlining leather and fetish dance party, Indulgence: Hard Labour, this Saturday at the Midnight Shift, where he’ll be bringing his trademark blend of progressive house, trance, techno, tribal and hypnotic beats to the dance floor.

Shafaati says he wants to gives clubbers “an atmospheric, high-energy journey” that reflects the deep, dark and sexy sounds Indulgence parties are known for.

“I want punters to lose control and surrender to the hypnotic sounds that surround them,” Shafaati tells SX. “To experience my interpretation of dark music, which is not only sexy and dirty, but also uplifting and empowering.”

Indulgence: Hard Labour will add to the long list of dance parties Shafaati has performed at which include Beyond, Inquisition, Midsumma, BearNation, Bear Pride and Tropical Fruits.

According to Shafaati, the key to being a good DJ is connecting with the crowd by having a good understanding of the different people at different events.

“Dance floor psychology has always fascinated me – reading the crowd, understanding human behavioural patterns and timing my tracks to match,” Shafaati says.

“The aim is to mentally lock people in. If the energy and the mood of the tracks are consistent, a solid atmosphere can be created.

“I always try to give the crowd what they want, but with my own spin and interpretation.”

Although Shafaati loves the thrill of performing live, he does enjoy sharing his music through his free, online podcast Liquid Logic, even though it’s a completely different experience.

“[In podcasts] you’re trying to enter people’s lives wherever they go. From the car to work, to the gym and even the bedroom. Which is why I create a variety of [musical] journeys to suit every occasion. It’s about telling a story and allowing listeners to live the experience in their own time.”

[Images] “I want punters to lose control” … Kam Shafaati. Photo: Supplied

DJ Kam Shafaati plays at Indulgence: Hard Labour on Saturday, November 17, at Midnight Shift, 85 Oxford Street, Darlinghurst. Tickets $15 (pre-sale)/$20 (door). Pre-sale available from the bar. Indulgence is a leather/fetish event.