It has been ten years since BeXta entered the music business. It is not surprising that she has established herself as one of the leading DJ/producers in the Australian dance music industry. Performing every weekend in up to three cities, whether it be through DJing or playing her own music live, this artist has built herself a strong fan base all around the country.
For those who are unfamiliar with this lady, BeXta started producing her own music with keyboards and computers in 1992. She then added to her skill set and learnt how to DJ, appearing at events nationally. Her early live shows included support for Bjork and the Prodigy. She also appeared at events such as the Big Day Out, and various raves throughout the country. She now holds down a residency at Sydney’s Plastic and appears as a headliner at many club nights across Australia.
In terms of production work, BeXta’s first artist release appeared in 1995. ‘Lunar Tango’ was released on a small independent label from Melbourne. She has since gone on to produce a string of hit tracks including ‘Drum Beats Go’, ‘Music Makers’, ‘Make It Phunkee’ and an incredibly successful EP – ‘Skirmish-Live EP’.
On the international forefront BeXta signed with Eve Records in London in mid 2001, releasing her track ‘One for the Road’. Hard House guru Andy Farley remixed the track which received rave reviews, including a four star review from Mixmag!
Since 2000, BeXta has released four ‘Mixology’ compilation cds with each one selling stronger than the last! It has been almost a year since the release of the fourth ‘Mixology’ compilation, ‘Mixology Gold’ and she is back with another – ‘Mixology five’! This eagerly awaited double compilation CD includes tracks from artists such as DJ Wag, Marc Et Claude, Cosmic Gate, Coast to Coast and BeXta herself.
BeXta holds high hopes for the future, especially with her own material and live shows. A national tour has been scheduled and you can be sure to catch BeXta in a city near you, sometime soon!
She is set to rock the main room Brisbane style at ReAnimator, the Queen’s Birthday long weekend bash! Inthemix caught up with the lady herself and managed to steal a moment of her time for a quick chat…
What do you think the Brisbane crowd want from a DJ?
Brisbane like things hard and full of energy, as far as the places I play anyway.
Are the Brisbane punters different to say, the Sydney or Melbourne punters? If so in what ways?
The biggest thing I notice is the different ways each city dances. I think you could write a thesis on it! Sydney people don’t move their feet so much, Melbourne people are all feet – talcum power has been banned from a lot of
clubs because they like to use it to lube the floor. Brisbane is
somewhere in the middle. They like to jump around a bit.
You’re playing a live set in Brisbane at the up coming rave, ReAnimator, do you think the crowd respond differently when you play live, as opposed to DJing?
Live is always different because I am playing very new unheard material as well as older tracks that some kids might not know. I’m also playing the current ones – it’s all my own material, where as with DJing you can play tracks that are well known at the time, or you know will work. I think people who know and follow my own music enjoy the live sets more.
Do you prefer playing DJ sets, or playing live sets? Why?
I prefer live, because it’s not often it happens. I am musician first and a DJ second. I love expressing myself musically. Also, the live show has other elements to it – such as video animation and cameras, which is choreographed to the music.
Where do you find inspiration for producing tracks?
In my own little world. Ideas just come at any time, when I’m driving, listening to other peoples music or playing around with sounds, keyboards or samplers.
Who are the producers you look up to most? Why do you find these people so inspiring
I enjoy the producers that take their music and perform live. It seems to have more energy. Like, Underworld, Norman Cook, Chemical Bros, Basement Jaxx. I think energy is so important in dance music, and these bands seem to capture that.
If you could DJ back to back with anyone in the world, who would it be and why?
Fat Boy Slim – he’s a fun guy, not too serious. And he plays a lot of his own music.
What is the best gig that you’ve ever played, nationally or internationally?
Probably a DJ set at Big Day Out in Sydney, 2001. There were 14 000 people there, and it just came together really well for me. Plus it’s the home crowd, which is always a bonus.
What is the best Brisbane gig that you’ve ever played? Why?
Strawberry Fields, 1996. It was an outdoor festival which started during the day. I was on just after the sun came down, and all the stage lights etc came on when I did. About 3000 saw that and charged to the stage. It was overwhelming.
How do the Brisbane raves, like Reanimator, differ to the Sydney raves?
Probably mostly in size. Also, I hate to say it, but I think Brisbane has a little bit of catching up to do with their musical tastes. But I think that’s the DJs faults (how many enemies did I make then!!! I’m just being honest). I think the Brissy crowds are less serious and that makes it fun
for everyone.
Where do you see the Hard Trance genre heading in the future?
Further away from hard house. I’m not too sure, I know on one hand the production is getting better and better, and on the other hand, there is more and more crap being released. But I think having a lot of crap makes the good stuff even better.
Are you one of those DJ/producers who doesn’t dance?!
I find I don’t so much any more, unless I’m somewhere that I’m not working and no one knows me. I danced to Underworld when they came out this year – with tears of happiness streaming down my face!
What is it with DJs who don’t dance!!
I’m not sure, but I know I’ve been in the scene for 12 years, and now I go to parties to DJ etc, that is not my party time. Like I said when I go to see a DJ or act, which admittedly isn’t that often, I dance.
Who/What does Bexta listen to when she isn’t mixing and/or producing?
My ears ringing.
Do find being a female DJ an advantage or a disadvantage in the Australian scene? What about Internationally?
Neither. Maybe initially I had to prove myself a bit more, but I think that was more because I am quietly spoken and am not full of myself, rather than because I’m a chick.
Do you have any new ventures/secrets overseas in the near future?
I’m almost at the mix down stage of my own artist album which will be out later in the year. I’ve also just finished mixing Mixology 5, which is out June 16th (plug plug).
What is a secret about Bexta that nobody else knows?
I’m not really a dj.
Mixology Five is release June 16 through Bang On!/Central Station.
