Dino Moran is a name that's been rocking dancefloors for almost as long as SA's had dancefloor's, how did DJ'ing come across your path and become such a major part of your life?

I first heard early techno or computer made music like KLF, Stereo MC’s and Model 500 in the late 80’s and was instantly hooked. We were going to clubs like White Horse and 4th World and listening to the true pioneers like Pierre, G-Force ,Christos , Static P , Tim White and Anton Sinovich.

I went out every night and like the earliest train spotter found out the name of every song or artist that I liked and started buying music obsessively and spending every day and night trying to learn to mix.

All most 20 years later I am even more into it than ever before.


Your tracks have found their way into some of the world's most influential dj boxes, what inspires your productions? Is there something or someone special, or is each track a brand new approach?

My inspiration for production is modern African fusion. In early 2000 I started producing and tour internationally as a DJ and realised that in order to stand out on the global scene I needed something that was unique. A good friend of mine Danny Rampling pointed out that my style all ways leant towards a tribal African feel and I should pursue that. So I have made it my life’s work to see how I can infuse the sound of the continent into all genres of cutting edge underground club music and electronica. Of the 108 original productions I have done so far all are in African dialects and every time I have played internationally I represent the African Techno/Tribal sound.


If things hadn't turned out, the way they did with DJ'ing and production... What would Dino Moran be up to, do you have a major passion that is second only to DJ'ing?

Yes yacht racing and kite boarding. My father owned a boat shop and I come from a long line of sailors on both my mother and fathers side of the family. At 16 I was the youngest skipper to ever qualify for the finals of the Hobie 16 World Championships which is the biggest international sailing class on earth and have my South African sailing colours.

Living in Cape Town is perfect for me as I can sail in some of the toughest conditions on the planet and also be a part of the South African dance music industry.


It seems that dance music globally and especially in South Africa is bigger than it's ever been, what do you think the next big trend in the dance scene might be?

I am still hoping that the African sound becomes the world favourite flavour as it has to happen sometime. Even if that doesn’t happen on a mass market scale, the incredible quality of the productions and artists coming out of Africa at the moment ensure that the world is taking notice of us and we are carving our own niche on the global dance and music scene.

Watching how badly bastardised and cheesy all music that’s risen to popular status becomes, Maybe it’s better if African music never becomes popular culture but rather stays a cool underground movement.


What can we expect from Dino Moran at ULTRAFEST this year?

Hmmmm!!! I never know until the night!!!
I will all ways put a lot of work into planning a few sets that I feel could be right for the occasion but my cardinal rule is to let the dance floor lead me and together we create the story of the night.


Catch DINO MORAN live and exclusive at the ULTRAFEST for more information please check the event listing here: ULTRAFEST 1ST BIRTHDAY PARTY