Carl Cox Interview

The legendary Carl Cox will be touching down in Australia for the epic Stereosonic this coming November and December. Here we chat to the UK DJ who has made his mark on the dance and techno scene over the last two decades.

Finishing up his residency for the summer in Ibiza, Cox recalls how the season has been this year, “It’s been really good actually this year. We had the World Cup on, and a lot of the clubbers had gone to the World Cup, so it put a bit of a knock on effect in the club and here on the island. But we were good in our club with numbers coming through the door.”

And as any superstar DJ such as himself he’s been very busy and slips in that he’s just returned from playing in Russia of all places, noting how the scene is changing out there, “People in Russia have really started to get into the style of dance music that we know about in the rest of the world, and it’s becoming part of their lifestyle. And me going over there is cementing the fact that they don’t have to listen to just one style of music. There’s quite a lot of different styles of house and techno music that they enjoy, so it’s kind of nice to be a part of that.”

Continuing on the seemingly different location to play in, Cox explains, “I was playing for a friend’s club, that’s just opened there. As you know there’s conflict in the area at the moment. But I was able to go over there, do my gig and get out!”

Watch Carl Cox at The Revolution, Space Ibiza

In his relaxed and friendly manner Cox also mentions that he played at the world-renowned Burning Man festival over the summer, elaborating on the experience, he explains, “There was no advertisement to say I would be playing there. I had my own camp for the first time and it was absolutely amazing how people found us. There’s no rules at Burning Man, apart from, of course there’s the clean up campaign, leave no trace, which is really important.”

Having travelled the world for the past 20 years playing to crowds in all manner of venues, Cox explains how he fell in love with Australia and set up a semi permanent home in Melbourne, “I bought a house ten years ago now, and every year I go back in October, November and spend Christmas, and most of January and February in Melbourne. That’s where I live. In March – end of March – I jump on a plane, and then I start to play back to back starting via America.” Cox states that he looks forward to playing at Stereosonic each year, “For me playing at Stereosonic is like coming home.” Elaborating on his love of Melbourne he explains, “I’ve been touring, and coming over for the summer for the last 20 years, and everywhere I ever went going around Australia, obviously Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, every time I got to Melbourne I just felt like I was home.”

You can catch Carl Cox alongside Nina Kravitz, Duke Dumont and Calvin Harris. Visit www.stereosonic.com.au to get your tickets now.

By Hannah Shakir
@hanshak