Using music as a way to mix together sounds, bytes, and especially genres, Dabbledob has a way of bringing you into his world solely with his music.

His most recent album is called, “Millennium Edition“. It was released in February of 2020 with fantastic styles and a nod towards the Star Wars universe. Check him out on SoundCloud, Apple Music, YouTube, and all of your favourite streaming services!

Q&A With Dabbledob

Below is an interview between Switching Styles and Justin Patterson, better known as Dabbledob!

Can I get your full name for the article?
Justin Patterson but my alias I produce under is Dabbledob.

What is the inspiration behind Dabbledob?
I was in a terrible garage band in the mid-2000s and I would write bass lines or guitar riffs occasionally that just wouldn’t fit what we were doing. There were some I still saw value in and moulded over time into songs for the solo project ‘Dabbledob’

What is your position in the music industry?
I’m not sure how to answer that. I guess I don’t really have one. I have zero training and very little equipment. If I could position myself in this industry, it would be to help others get started.

What does being a musician mean to you?
It’s really hard to even call myself a musician lol. The phrase ‘fake it til you make it’ comes to mind in this instance. If one person heard my music and it inspired them to do something positive, that would be really cool though.

How did you start in music?
I guess it would be going to church as a boy and hearing my grandmother and mother sing in the choir or listening to my mom sing in the car. I also have vague memories of sitting on my grandfather’s lap and him teaching me a few simple songs on his vintage organ he had. I guess that kinda sparked something inside me.

I always had a curiosity for music after that but failed to pursue it in school because it wasn’t really ‘cool’ to be in the band in high school. I still kick myself for that decision. Some guys at the school formed a band and I went to one of their concerts. A ska/punk band called the Spit valves headlined and the singer told everyone there to turn off the radio and start making music. He looked mean so I did it.

What impact has music had on you personally?
Music helps everyone get through the hard times and it gives people something to associate the good times with. Playing music is a really unique bonding experience with your friends also. We practiced every Sunday in my bedroom of my Mom’s condo while she was out. Those poor neighbours. It gave us a reason to get together each week when we might not have otherwise.

How would you describe your sound?
I would like to say it’s like sitting on the beach of a distant, yet familiar planet. It has elements of heavy dub, old-school ska, and of course more classic reggae styling. I try to put a lot of work into the details.

Where do you hope to be in 10 years?
Musically, hopefully producing and collaborating with all sorts of different people.

What are some of your current projects?
I’m working on my second CD “Now Hear This”. I hope to release it in August 2021!

What would you like your fans to know about your music?
I want people to feel the way I felt when I first heard genres I was unfamiliar with and that I release it from a place of humility.

What advice would you give to new and young musicians?
Start making music. You have to start somewhere. I’ve gone back and listened to early recordings, and they are rough, but you have to get started. Also, ‘finished not perfect’ has been a mantra that has really helped me. If you’re a perfectionist, you’ll have to get over that at some point.

How has Covid impacted the music industry?
It’s really hard for me to say, but I know there are so many talented bands who could barely afford to travel previously. There are so many hidden costs involved, it’s hard to break even sometimes. So I have to imagine it’s really hurt the small guys’ way worse and that’s a real shame, they are the heart of the industry.

Do you think that the music industry will bounce back after Covid?
Without question.

How do you think it’ll change?
I think the ‘virtual concert’ is going to be huge. I have a friend who was playing every night on Facebook Live during the lockdowns and it was so cool. Once they are able to integrate VR into it on a bigger scale, that’s going to be awesome.

Is there anything I didn’t ask about that you wanted to mention?
Nope. Everyone stay safe, make good decisions, listen to some reggae music!

Check out more of our interviews with musicians like Dabbledob on Switching Styles!!