Listen up! This is for the ones that haven’t been to a party for years. The black idol of electronic music is heading to town again. Once jokingly referred to as Big Black Cox, this is the man who has probably played to more people and for longer than everyone else put together. I mean really, this guy is old enough to be my dad. Surely there can’t be many DJz who can say they’ve been at it for the better part of 30 years. Only after I put the phone down do I realise that I forgot the most important question – how many pieces of vinyl does he actually have? Useless bastard.
“I’m on a mission from God” he tells me, making it immediately clear that this is going to be fun. I lay claim – I bet he was the class clown! “And you haven’t had enough?” I add. “You tell me. You’re 40 plus years old, you drink as much as you can, you don’t get any sleep and you eat all the wrong foods – these are the things that still motivate me! Its my life. My life is about what I’m doing now. Playing the best music I can, put together in the best way possible”. Everything he says, is delivered in all seriousness yet with a sincerity and warmth that most superstar DJs lack.
“Ever since 1967 my life has been music. Today, my idea of creating and supporting the music and the artist speaks for itself. Whether it be techno, house, breaks or even drum and bass [which he tells me he’s been playing recently!] I am still positive and passionate about the music”. He adds that this year has been quote “seriously outstanding”. For example, his weekly radio show, syndicated around the world, is transmitted to an unprecedented 15 million listeners per week! Indeed, this technology garners much of the continued enthusiasm the older generation continues to have for a style of music that many grown ups consider transitional. “Some DJz have the skill to use 3 turntables, a Pioneer EFX mixer, Final Scratch, a keyboard and some CDJs. Others can’t do it. Some DJs, you can put a CD player in front of them and they run. The technical aspects are important – these machines are for the use of the creative DJ if they want to, but it depends on their ability and their ability to create. James Zabiela for example – on 2 decks and CDJs he is amazing! He is very interactive. He might use a record and loop on Final Scratch and play a section from a CD”.
Yes ladies and gentlemen, this is the story of a guy who has lost track of his age and still things he’s caught in a video game. He has gone from being a mobile wedding DJ to becoming one of modern day music’s finest ambassadors. Yet this is neither an overnight success story or a hard-up tale. Rather, it’s a fascinating account of an entertainer who continues to strive to deliver a certain measure of excellence in everything he does. In fact, so blatantly obvious is his genuine desire for taking music to the people, he feels like he could do this for another 10 years! “In 35 years I haven’t followed any fashion trends, I did what I believed in, I just wanted to experience the music. I still give my all – I have played 200 parties this year to between 500 and 10,000 people. That opens doors for lots of things to happen. And if I get credit, thanks very much and Ill be back next time!”
This is what I mean. Despite his not-so-small physical persona, in real life he remains a warm and unpretentious character – unlike the characters in various movie rolls he has performed. Cast your mind back to the big night club owner in the cult classic Human Traffic. “Every event is a challenge. Some people know you and some people won’t – its my job to put it into something people can understand”. And this formula, this raison detré – is his life. And how cool. Imagine having a set of headphones and music waiting for you at your desk at work!
Which is pretty much what he does, as he is the label boss of InTec Records [UK] “It is still about trying my best to put out good music, new sounds, new artists and producers that are making music for the future. I have the ability to put records in front of peoples ears, so…” So indeed. “Sunshine – Tomas vs Filterheadz – perfect example. I felt it – there is no song like this – I found that record in 2001 and in 2004 it will still touch people. Pontape – Renato Cohen is another – legendary. In Melbourne, there will be a Pontape surprise – it’s a remix, but let me tell you, there will be talk about it afterwards! Alien Trax – Deetron has also been released”. He tells me that Pete Tong has been playing the other side by Miss Suave on his weekly BBC radio show aptly titled Radio1. It has even made it into his Essential Mix. As far as he’s concerned it’s one of the best records this year. But that isn’t all. He goes on to tell me of a new label he is pioneering called 23rd Century Records, with plans to release only his own material at this stage. Material that even he doesn’t want to categorise. I get a feeling though that he hasn’t finished promoting new and perhaps unrealised talent. “Finding people is really difficult – some people pop up and remain inconspicuous. This guy from Hungary – Storbarinski – is unknown as a DJ but has made some amazing records. Cristian Varela is another – he needs to be promoted, he is very very exciting – it’s a shame that none of these people are given Top100 status. Also Mistress Barbara from what I’ve seen rocks the house and makes good records”.
For you see, this man does not represent a “genre” per sé. By his own admission he is a rare breed of artist. “You have to respect Britney Spears. You have to respect what she has done for music and entertainment – she is very good at what she does. I want to take perceptions and throw them out the window – I want to play Roger Sanchez and then Adam Beyer – I will build and build and put you in that mould, then you will feel Carl Cox”. Well, feel, musically – you know what I mean! Even 10 years from now I’m sure he’ll still be making some weird and wonderful noises. “Ill be doing this until my ears can’t do it anymore”. In all, consider this an outro for one of the finest electronic musical dynasties since Chemical Brothers and Fatboy Slim. Any chance to see the powerful, mysterious Cox in future should be lapped up as a windfall. This you see, is his legacy.
Catch Carl Cox in your city at the following events:
Sat 06.12 Melbourne @ Global Tour, QBH (BUY TICKETS)
Sun 07.12 Perth @ Global Festival, Belmont Racecourse (BUY TICKETS)
Thu 11.12 Adelaide @ Chemistry, Heaven Nightclub
Fri 12.12 Brisbane @ Family Nightclub
Sat 13.12 Sydney @ Global, Olympic Park (BUY TICKETS)
