Industry Insiiide: Backroom Network… The 19-Year-Olds Rebuilding the Open Deck
They started at 18 with zero budget and a paper sign-up sheet. Meet Alessandro & Dylan, the Uni students prioritizing “Growth Over Hype” and turning chaos into community.
If you think you need big budgets and decades of experience to run a successful event, talk to Alessandro Hipolito and Dylan Nguyen.
The duo launched Henry’s House (now Backroom Network) when they were just 18 years old. Now 19, they represent a generational shift in the Perth scene… younger, hungrier, and uninterested in the polished, gatekept industry standard.
They run on “Uni student budgets” and reinvest every dollar back into the gear. But more importantly, they reject the “brand” façade.
“We don’t try to polish everything into typical PR language,” they explain. “Most of our content is literally us on camera speaking how we normally speak.”
This raw, imperfect approach has built a cult following that values authenticity over production value. Now, they are taking that philosophy to the next level with a brand new weekly residency.
We sat down with the founders to talk about the chaos of live sign-up sheets, the regret of “hiding” in the booth, and why they believe the underground needs to exist on a Thursday.
📝 The Chaos of the Sign-Up Sheet
One of Backroom’s defining features started as a risky experiment: The Open Deck Sign-Up Sheet. No pre-selection, no curated lineups… just a piece of paper passed around the room on the night.
“It could get chaotic,” they admit. “Slots filling fast, genres jumping all over the place… But that unpredictability became part of the experience.”
While other promoters filter DJs through rigorous application processes, Backroom chose accessibility. But this system only works because of mutual care.
🚫 Don’t Be a “Taker”
Despite their open-door policy, there is one thing that instantly kills the vibe for Alessandro and Dylan: DJs who play and leave.
“When people take more than they give… it reflects where someone’s head is at,” they explain. “We’ve had moments where DJs show up right before their set and leave straight after without engaging with the night.”
Their stance is clear: The event runs on the energy of the people in the room. If you prioritize yourself over the flow of the night, you are missing the point.
🤝 The Lesson: Don’t Hide in the Ops
Starting so young meant learning hard lessons early. Looking back, the duo admits their biggest regret was getting too lost in the logistics.
“Early on, we were so focused on running the event that we missed chances to connect,” they say. “We missed connecting with artists… because we were too busy working.”
Their advice to other organizers and DJs is simple: Be present. “The strongest opportunities have come from simply being present and engaging with the community, not just working around it.”
💡 The Moment It Clicked
The realization that Backroom had become something bigger than just two friends playing tunes didn’t happen during a peak-time set—it happened before the doors even opened.
“I turned the corner to see a pretty large group of people there just for the open decks before 7pm,” Dylan recalls.
“We had people rocking up before me and Dylan even arrived at the venue,” Alessandro adds. That was the moment they realized the community had taken on a life of its own.
📅 The New Residency: Thursday Nights
This momentum is now evolving into a consistent midweek space. Starting February 19th, Backroom Network takes over the Northbridge Brewing Co Skydeck every Thursday.
This isn’t just another booking; it’s an answer to a gap they see in the city.
“We both feel like there isn’t much consistently happening midweek,” they say. “There are people who want to connect and experience music who haven’t always had the opportunity.”
It kicks off at 7 PM with Free Entry. A consistent space for the community to grow, test tracks, and connect beyond the usual weekend slots.
⚡ Backroom Quickfire
| Category | Answer |
| Favourite Venue (Non-Backroom) | Jack Rabbit Slims / Air Nightclub |
| Dream Collab | Teletech or Red Bull |
| Ideal Event Word | “Sigma” |
| Controversial Opinion | Jump-Up is MASSIVE. |
| Vibe Killer | DJs who leave immediately after their set. |
| Most Memorable Night | The Henry’s Send-Off w/ Coop’d Up. |
🔌 Pass the Aux
We ask every feature guest to answer a question left by the previous interviewee.
Incoming Question from Restless:
“What is the mark that you want your event to leave on Perth?”
Backroom Network:
[Awaiting Answer – Recommended: “To create a space where everyone grows together rather than competes.”]
Outgoing Question for the Next Organiser:
“Are you a DJ in Perth? (Niche reference twin ✌️😛)”
Follow Backroom Network: [Instagram Link]
Responses