Margaret River Pro 2017 : Boston Switch pumped for Pro Party

We chatted with McDonald this week as he planned his return home, about the upcoming Pro Party and his plans for a two-month “break” and his desire to create his own original tunes.

Welcome home! How long have you been away from Margaret River?

From May last year I spent five months overseas which began with my surf guiding run in the Mentawai Islands in West Sumatra, Indonesia.

Following that, I had my DJ residencies in Greece with Far Out Beach Club, Alt Bar & The Yacht Week.

After Greece I had my first Norway show in Tonsberg then I flew to Lombok and West Sumbawa to catch up with my music production partner Ash Pluggy and Lewis Martin, our photographer and filmographer.

We spent a few weeks surfing and took some time off from touring and DJing, then we headed to Bali for a run of shows. We supported Alison Wonderland at the Treasure Island Festival which was awesome. 

At the end of September we returned to Perth for a short period of time before relocating to the Gold Coast for six weeks for a few shows, surfing and to connect with my board shaper, Clearwater Surfboards.

During December we returned to WA for a run of shows including Southbound, the Hopman Cup and then our first few performances in the Northern Territory.

After this, I spent two weeks in California linking up with a surf photographer from the Mentawai Islands, John Barton, followed by our last adventure, our one month residency in Thailand's beautiful Koh Tao.

So I take it ‘hectic’ is an understatement?

Each location has roughly been a similar duration, with about two to four weeks in each spot.

Every opportunity has been incredible in it's very own way, from massive beach parties on Ios Island in Greece, the crazy cliff jumping, sailing from show to show with The Yacht Week in the Saronic Islands or all the back to exploring.

There’s been crazy viewpoints and free diving in Thailand, and even more so surfing… perfect waves in Indonesia.

Each location has something different to offer and something special about every experience. Catching a Rincon swell in California or a Lakers Game in LA, every place we’ve stoppped has had something different which makes the experience of seeing new places so enjoyable.

And now you’re back for the Margaret River Pro after party. We spoke to you last year ahead of the 2016 event, what can you tell us about this year’s celebrations?

I believe this will be our fifth Margaret River Pro After Party!

Each year has been amazing. Every year sells out so fast, so we have found an amazing venue (Black Brewing Co, Wilyabrup) which has allowed us to increase our capacity and cater for more patrons.

Every year has been different but it feels like we keep building them and try to improve the after parties each season. 

What keeps you coming back for the Pro parties? Is there a particular appeal as a DJ to play this show, aside from it being in your hometown?

I love touring and I love traveling, but It's incredible all the knowledge and experiences you gain as an artist performing in different countries, cultures & musical environments.

Nothing beats bringing back everything I've learned throughout the years for what is easily my favourite event, taking place in my own hometown, right where I grew up.

I feel like I've learned a lot about the industry and now have something to offer by building and creating the best event possible with the Electric Button Team, and what better place to do it than my own hometown? 

It's also incredible seeing some family, friends and so many familiar faces. It creates an amazing atmosphere at the gig.

For people who have been to other Pro parties, what can they expect from the new venue?

We're expanding as much as possible this year.

Black Brewing Co is incredible and allowing us to expand on an event that completely sells out in roughly three to five hours each year, which amazing to be able to develop and make bigger again.

We've also selected some special guest to feature on the event as well, picked by the Electric Button Team, which we want to showcase to the Southwest.

Because the majority of my bookings have been overseas or summer festivals such as Groovin The Moo, Southbound, Future Music and so on, we're bringing as much of a music festival vibe to the South West as we can because that's the events we tend to enjoy the most!

What’s next for Boston Switch, in 2017? 

After the Margaret River Pro I have two months in Margaret River which is going to entail some down time, a ton of surfing and the majority will be studio time.

Music production has always been on the radar but extremely hard to accomplish with a traveling tour schedule.

To properly complete my first ever original music I'll be putting out, I couldn't think of better place to write it than my hometown of Margs, somewhere I can truly relax, feel comfortable and grounded for a few months.

After that I'll be returning to Europe again for another run of shows and a new residency called Escobar which will be a new late night club on Ios Island, before returning to Indonesia around October.

I'll be back in Australia for the December and January summer festival season.

Tickets to the Pro After Party are onsale now. For info visit www.facebook.com/bostonswitch