For anyone meeting you for the first time, who is DJ Phunkee?
DJ Phunkee is an electrifying, high-energy deejay who brings a turbocharged blend of 80s and 90s nostalgia to the dance floor, wrapping classic house-party hooks, neon-splashed riffs, and crowd-chantable drops into a seamless, modern club experience.
What can people expect from your set at The Essendon Hotel on Saturday May 30?
At The Essendon Hotel on Saturday May 30, expect a vibe that pulses with retro warmth and contemporary fire: a tempo that kicks from slick, fist-pumping house to darker, booty-shaking grooves, and an infectious energy that invites everyone to sing along, sweat, and lose themselves in the moment.
When you’re building a set, what comes first: the story you want to tell, or the tracks that are hitting hardest right now?
When building a set, I start with the story I want to tell, the emotional arc and flow that will guide the room, then layer in the tracks, hitting hardest in the moment to fuel the journey.
What’s a song (or artist) you always come back to? The one that never fails to reset your mood or set the tone for your set?
The song or artist I always return to is a mood-resetting anchor, something timeless that snaps the energy back into focus and clarifies the tone of the night.
How do you read a room in real time, and what’s your go-to move when you need to lift the energy fast?
Reading a room in real time comes down to listening as much as watching: I look for micro-gestures, the pace of the room, and the ebb and flow of conversation on the floor, and my go-to move is a quick pivot between a familiar crowd-pleaser and a fresh, breathable groove to lift energy without losing the vibe.
What’s the most misunderstood thing about being a DJ, especially from people who think it’s “just pressing play”?
The most misunderstood thing about being a DJ is the belief that it’s “just pressing play”, it’s a continuous craft of storytelling, timing, crowd psychology, and live adaptation.
How would you describe the scene you’re part of right now, and what do you want to contribute to it?
What’s been a defining moment in your DJ journey so far? A gig, a risk you took, or a turning point you didn’t expect?
A defining moment in my DJ journey could be a daring crossfade that bridged two genres flawlessly, a risk that paid off on a packed floor, or a turning point where I learned to trust the room’s pulse over the plan.
