If you’re a bass head, Dooley is a name you may already know. If not, consider this your lucky day. Christian Dooley is a 26-year-old experimental freeform bass artist from Denver, Colorado. His music is taking the EDM scene by storm, carving out a unique space with his innovative beats and electrifying original sets, which are rapidly gaining recognition.
Dooley’s music journey began at eight years old when one of his friends wrote a song and insisted they form a band with Dooley on the drums. Their first gig came through a connection with their mom’s friend, who booked them to play at her daughter’s birthday party. Although they were enthusiastic, the performance was a disaster. Despite this seemingly failed attempt, it gave Dooley the confidence to pursue a music career, regardless of the outcome.
Although his love for music began early, Dooley took a break from it after his initial stint with the band. He wanted to pursue music but found it overwhelming and was often dissatisfied with his creations. Everything changed after he watched his brother pick up the violin at age 22, and in five years he became incredibly skilled, able to produce original pieces on his loop pedal. Inspired by his brother, Dooley purchased a beat pad in 2015 and began producing music again, leading him to where he is today.
“It showed me that it’s never too late,” said Dooley. “We’re just people exploring our expression and ‘time’ simply doesn’t matter. It gave me the confidence to keep working on it because it was just something I loved to do. It felt like I could do anything without any rules and I could just create the world that sparked my interest. I’m gonna be doing this for the next 80 years or until I die, whatever comes first.”
For Dooley, music is a grounding force that carries him through life’s stages, inspiring him to explore and create whatever he wants. His passion for producing experimental freeform bass music stems from his fascination with creating immersive sonic experiences. Influenced by psychedelic rock and rap beats, his style has evolved, drawing inspiration from artists like Pink Floyd, Zeds Dead, and $uicide Boy$ due to their epic productions and compelling sounds. Recently, he has been inspired by bass scene artists such as Meduso, Steller, Sharlitz Web, Ravenscoon, Austeria, Daggz, Mind Splitter, and Zingara.
“Music is emotion, its culture, its stories, it’s an uprising against this closed box system we are all told is the only way and cannot change,” said Dooley. “Music inspired me to think differently about myself and how we can shift our perception to understand the world around us. Music is just dope.”
Gratitude has been a significant aspect of Dooley’s career. He values the support of friends and his partner Tina who keep him grounded and his family for encouraging his dreams. His music team, including Emily, Brennan, Amanda, and Kevin, has made the creative process enjoyable and pushed him to be the best producer he can be.
Every step in Dooley’s path has been a testament to his unwavering passion for music, from the electrifying rush of performing his original sets to the intimate confines of producing in the studio. One instance that particularly sticks out in his journey, is the creation of his first song with his brother. This experience was rooted in experimentation, with them testing out different drum noises, synths, violins, and samples from Twilight Zone episodes. Over four days, each of these elements was woven together to create a random, yet powerful and meaningful track. Those days will always stick with him, exemplifying what it means to create music with the people he loves.
Dooley’s journey has been one of continuous evolution and passionate creativity. He is thrilled to be returning to the stage in Denver on June 20, 2024, opening up for Kyral x Banko at Cervantes Otherside. This performance is particularly significant after a 100-day hiatus, during which he immersed himself in nature and focused on producing new music in Costa Rica.
He took this break from shows to explore new inspirations and is eager to start releasing music again in 2024. With several singles, an EP, and a themed collection of songs in the pipeline, Dooley is gearing up to introduce his fans to the next chapter of his musical journey. As he looks ahead, Dooley’s biggest goals are staying true to creating what he feels in the moment and enjoying the process as it unfolds. To keep up with all the latest news and music, connect with Dooley using the links below.
