Team Blackout is an event company that focuses on bass, and more recently house, as well as a merchandise company whose products represent a wider story of the inception and rise of TBO. Rewind back to 2012 and Team Blackout mostly embodied Austin Dulak and his friends going way too hard at music events, usually ending up with someone, you guessed it, blacking out. Their shenanigans started gaining attention and the crew kept taking it to the next level, by 2015 branding themselves with the name Team Blackout and attending festivals like EDC Puerto Rico, EDC Orlando, and other events in Florida. Fast forward to 2018, Dulak took the brand on socials, producing and promoting merch full time, and hosting events in the South Florida area. Austin Dulak and I discussed the growth of the project, sustaining the business, what’s to come in the future for TBO, and more. Check out the full interview below:
Was there a moment when things shifted from a “couple of shows” to something bigger?
Originally I never saw myself throwing shows. After 3 years of being in the dance merchandise business I had so many connections to artists that I decided to use this to my advantage. I think the biggest turning point was when we partnered up with AME High Promotions & Bass Culture to bring Herobust, Skellism, & Nitti Gritti to Jannus Live St. Pete. That night was a game changer for all of us.
What do you believe are principals of being able to throw shows consistently?
Have the right investors/team backing you up. What I’ve learned the most from throwing shows is that you will never have enough money or enough promotional help. There is always some aspect of the show that can be improved and finance plays a major role in this.
Has the project changed in ways that surprised you since you started?
It truly has, we went from a group of guys turning up to black out, to offering merchandise and throwing shows in 3 years time.
How has the FL dance music scene changed over the past few years, if at all?
Honestly I think the coolest change is seeing all the homies finally taking off in the scene. The scene continues to grow in the Florida market and a ton of my friends are the leaders of the movement. I will forever respect the art.
What’s the toughest part about pulling off events?
Stress management and organization are my toughest aspects. Just make sure you have a strong team backing you.
Whats coming down the pipeline for Team Blackout in the near future?
January 2019 we plan on re-launching our merchandise online with a ton of new hat designs! I couldn’t be more excited to see what the future brings!
Connect Team Blackout:
facebook.com/teamblackoutofficial
instagram.com/austinkeola
instagram.com/teamblackoutofficial
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