From playing bowling alleys to stadiums, the rise of Dom Dolla is the stuff of legend.
The Australian DJ and producer is a standout – no, a giant – in a crowded electronic music scene, an artist who this year has filled Madison Square Garden on multiple nights, locked in residencies on both sides of the Atlantic, and is set to crush more touring records at home.
Rolling Stone AU/NZ spent quality time with the in-demand artist for the shoot that covers our June-August issue.
For the special occasion, Dolla retraced several old haunts while on some rare downtime in his hometown, Melbourne. One favourite spot, Revolver Upstairs, opened its doors early for the producer and the crew.
Credit: @shevindphoto
DJs are nocturnal creatures. A 9am start, at the scene of so many late-night parties, was a shock to the system.
“Safe to say it’s the most level-headed I’ve been in that joint in years,” Dolla quips in a clip shared on social media. “I wanted to do the shoot somewhere authentic that’s also an ode to dance music culture in my hometown.”
For the cover, he stares down the barrel in a red hoodie (not part of his regular kit) and a favourite peak cap that has since been lost on a motorway in Miami, Florida. It’s a one-off, in every respect.
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Outside of Revs, Dolla got the feel for the wheel of a “Champagne Gold” 1982 Mercedes Benz 380 SEC.
Dolla busts records for fun. His four-date 2024 tour of Australia shifted 170,000 tickets, the most-ever by a solo Australian DJ. He’ll become the first homegrown master of the decks to play a stadium in these parts when he plays Accor Stadium in the lead-up to Christmas 2025. And he’s the first-ever solo electronic music artist to cover Rolling Stone AU/NZ.
Credit: @shevindphoto
Away from the stage, Dolla boasts more than 1 billion streams, he’s a Grammy Award nominee, a three-time ARIA Award winner, and reigning Global Artist of the Year at the Rolling Stone Australia Awards.
Despite flying high, he remains grounded.
“I’m incredibly blessed to be able to perform in front of as many people,” he tells us. “I was lucky enough while I was overseas to be influenced by the insane work ethic by a lot of my peers, and a lot of my idols. I certainly learned from the idea of, if I’m going to make it, I’ve got to work really hard. When I come home, I get really excited about when I hear people saying how I’ve inspired them. Well, I’m inspired by them.”
Our June-August issue is stuffed with features from artists and topics that matter, including 5SOS’s Calum Hood, Gordi, ONEFOUR, a special exposé on pill testing, and a countdown of the 50 Greatest Australian Electronic Acts of All Time.
Does Dolla make the cut? Find out in the latest issue of Rolling Stone AU/NZ, which hit newsstands on Monday, June 2nd.
Whether you’re a fan of music, you’re a supporter of the local music scene, or you enjoy the thrill of print and longform journalism, then Rolling Stone AU/NZ is exactly what you need. Click the link here for more information regarding a magazine subscription.
