You’ve definitely heard that bassline. It’s thick, it’s bouncy, and it sounds like 3:00 AM in a dark warehouse. When Dom Dolla Take It dropped back in 2018, the tech house landscape changed almost overnight. It wasn't just another club track. It was the moment Dominic Matheson went from a Melbourne local to a global heavyweight.
Honestly, it’s rare for a dance track to have this much staying power. Most "club bangers" have the shelf life of an open avocado. But walk into any festival today—Coachella, EDC, or even a local dive bar—and you’ll still hear that "Come on over, cut some shapes" vocal cutting through the air.
The Arizona Hotel Room Origin Story
Most people assume a hit like this comes out of a high-end studio in LA. Nope. Dom actually wrote the bones of the track in a tiny hotel room in Arizona while on tour. He was just messing around on his laptop, probably tired and caffeinated.
There’s a specific kind of magic that happens when a producer is stuck in a cramped space with nothing but a pair of headphones. You stop overthinking. You focus on the groove. That’s exactly what happened here. Dom wanted something that felt "cheeky" and playful but had enough weight to shake a massive sound system.
The track was released via Sweat It Out, the legendary Australian label. It didn't just climb the charts; it obliterated them. It hit #1 on the Beatport overall chart and stayed there for weeks. This was the turning point. Pete Tong was spinning it on BBC Radio 1. Chris Lake was rinsing it. Suddenly, everyone wanted a piece of the "Dom Dolla sound."
What Makes Dom Dolla Take It Work?
Musically, the song is a masterclass in restraint. It’s written in C Minor (though some platforms list the key differently, the sub-bass weight says otherwise) and sits at a steady 123 BPM.
It’s not trying to be flashy.
It’s not filled with complex melodies.
It’s basically just a conversation between a massive, plucky bassline and a vocal that everyone can sing along to.
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The "Anatomy" of the Groove
- The Bassline: It uses a "call and response" pattern. The sub hits hard on the downbeat, followed by a higher, gritty saw-wave pluck that "answers" it.
- The Vocal: Unlike many tech house tracks that use random Splice samples, Dom’s vocals feel intentional. They tell a story—even if that story is just about dancing.
- The Build: The tension doesn't come from white noise or cheesy risers. It comes from the vocal slowly repeating and pitching up until the pressure is unbearable.
The Impact on Modern Tech House
Before this track, tech house was often seen as "boring" or "monotonous" by the mainstream. Dom Dolla Take It helped bridge the gap between underground credibility and pop accessibility. It paved the way for the "Fisher era" and the subsequent explosion of Australian dance music on the world stage.
Because of this song, Dom secured an ARIA nomination in 2019 for Best Dance Release. While he didn't win that year (he later won for "San Frandisco"), it cemented him as the industry's new golden boy. The stats are actually kind of insane: over 200 million streams across platforms and platinum certifications in multiple countries.
It’s the song that allowed him to quit his day job as a graphic designer for good.
Why Producers Are Still Remaking It
If you look at production forums or YouTube tutorials today, you'll see thousands of "How to sound like Dom Dolla" videos. They all start with this track. Producers are obsessed with how he got the kick drum and the bass to sit so perfectly together without turning into a muddy mess.
The secret? It’s probably the Nicky Romero Kickstart plugin and some very clever sidechaining. Dom has mentioned in interviews that he likes to keep his processing simple. He focuses on the "swing" and the "feel" rather than having 50 different plugins on a single channel.
Misconceptions About the Song
A common mistake fans make is thinking the vocal is a sample from an old 70s record. It actually sounds like it could be, right? But it’s original. Dom has a knack for writing hooks that feel familiar but are entirely new. He often records his own vocals or works closely with vocalists to get that specific "distorted-but-clear" tone.
Another myth is that it was an "overnight" success. While the song blew up fast, Dom had been grinding in the Melbourne scene since 2013. He’d released tracks like "The Boxer" and "Define" years prior. Dom Dolla Take It was simply the spark that finally hit the powder keg.
Where to Experience It Today
If you want to hear this track the way it was intended, you have to see a Dom Dolla live set. He rarely plays the original version straight through anymore. Instead, he drops "edits" or VIP versions that lean into the grittier, "wubbier" side of house music.
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His 2024 Coachella set was a prime example. He teased the vocal for nearly two minutes before dropping into a heavy, bass-forward remix that had the entire Sahara Tent losing their minds.
How to Build Your Own Tech House Library
If you're a DJ or just a fan who wants more of this vibe, you shouldn't just stop at Dom. To understand where this sound comes from and where it's going, look into these specific areas:
- Check the "Sweat It Out" Back Catalog: Look for artists like Torren Foot and Go Freek. They shared the same Melbourne clubs as Dom and have a similar "heavy-bottom" sound.
- Study the 123-126 BPM Range: Most people think tech house has to be fast. "Take It" proves that a slightly slower tempo (123 BPM) allows the bass more room to "breathe" and feel heavier.
- Focus on the "Small" Percussion: Listen to the hats in the track. They aren't just loud; they have a specific "swing" or "groove" that isn't perfectly on the grid. This is what makes people move.
Start by digging into Dom’s early remixes for artists like RÜFÜS DU SOL or Dua Lipa. You’ll hear the exact moment his signature style began to take shape.