Since 1987, John Course has made a name for himself in his home state of Victoria as a crowd pleasing yet envelope pushing house dj with superb technical skills. Throughout his career he has pushed from strength to strength, not only expanding his fan base nationwide, but also operating a now hugely successful independent music label Vicious Vinyl – home to the popular Madison Avenue among others.
2003 has been a very busy year for John, sharing his time between his DJing and record label commitments, but it is one in which he has been rewarded for his efforts, just recently receiving an award for Best VIC DJ award at this years DMA’s (Dance Music Awards). Add to this a slamming new cd released through Ministry of Sound and a massive tour around Australia to launch it, and it’s no surprise that John’s profile and popularity continue to increase nationwide.
How did you get into DJing?
Used to be into break dancing and saw a DJ in the movie Beat Street, plus was interested in the sounds I was listening to with scratching. Started from both of those influences.
How would you describe your musical style?
Fat, funky house music with an open mind to electro, progressive and breaks, but they got to be funky.
Who would you say were and are your biggest musical influences?
No singular ones, but I like a groove and the funkiness of records. Fat basslines, chunky beats. As James Brown used to say “It’s got to be funky”.
You’ve played at a lot of clubs over the years. Do you have a favourite?
I have very fond memories of chevron and chasers because at chasers it was when house was first starting to break through, S Express, Eric B and Rakim, Inner City, Jomanda etc all remind me of those two clubs. One Love is great because it feels like home to me, as does Q Bar Fridays where I have been for 6 years!
Which do you find more satisfying – DJing or producing?
DJing really because I have not done enough producing to have it really take up a big part of what I do. I used to do a lot more, and want to again but with the label over the past 4 years or so and my DJing I have been very busy. I love DJing, the instant feedback and the vibe but when I have had a track I have worked on go well in a club it’s a buzz too.
When producing, do you plan and brainstorm what you’re going to do before you make a track?
As I said, I have not done that much studio work in the last few years but right now I have a pile of notes and ideas which I want to put into practice so at the moment yes I have a semi clear vision of what I want to make. However if I worked more on music I think I would just play around and see what come out.
Do you have a favourite remix that you have done?
Probably “Who the Hell Are You” with Andy Van, or my mix of “White Treble Black Bass” by Sgt Slick.
You’ve just put down a slammin’ mix for the new MOS Annual cd – How challenging is it to put together only 20 tracks from a years worth of big tunes?
A certain amount of the pain in choosing the biggest tracks is taken care of by ministry because they already have a short list. I then had my say on them, added some of my own feedback. There can always be one that is forgotten but by the time the DJ’s and the staff involved in putting the CD together have all spoken about it there probably won’t be too many that don’t make the CD. It all comes down to feedback and licensing to get what you want.
Are you looking forward to the upcoming tour for the cd?
Yes, should be fun. I have played the major cities before but I am also doing Noosa and Hobart which are both firsts. Always nice to get to a new city and see what’s going on there.
What can crowds expect to hear from your sets on the tour?
Some new stuff, some anthems. I don’t play super underground, but I always have new music in my sets, very new. Sometimes people miss that when being critical because all they hear is the track that everybody knows. I think DJing is give and take, so a bit of the known and a bit of new creates a welcoming vibe that people embrace, thus always embracing new music because of the way it is delivered.
The Ministry of Sound Annual 2004, mixed by John Course and Mark Dynamix, is out now. To read ITM’s review click HERE, for your chance to win a copy click HERE.
