The GUIDE caught up with DJ Max Cooper who chatted with us on what it takes to be a DJ
DJ Max Cooper, the Northern Irish, London-based Disc Jockey was in the city a few days ago. The British Producer and DJ has been rated among the RA top 100 DJs of 2011 and Beatport top artist of 2012. He has more than 50 original tracks and remixes under his belt. Excerpts from an interview:
DJing is about being original and being innovative. Representation pics
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First trip
This was my first trip to India. I have heard Indian Classical music but I don’t know much about it. I had always wanted to visit the country but I never had the opportunity to do so. On this trip, I will only be able to visit Pune but I hope to come down soon for a longer time.
Music for me
Music is a way of expressing oneself and to communicate. There are different ways of enjoying it. I try to play what I like and whatever pleases the crowds. I don’t decide my playlist in advance. I play as per the mood of the people, so that they can enjoy it. I try to communicate my feelings through my songs.
Crowd is king
I rate a performance as my best when people enjoy my music. I try to communicate with the listeners and try to give them what they want. Music is a powerful thing; it can change your life. I love listening to all kinds of music. Music can change your mood completely. When I play the tracks composed by me, I enjoy it the most. While certain songs are always demanded by the crowds, a DJ must give them something different always. I try to play my songs and while the crowds may not instantly understand it, they get thinking about those songs and then demand them the next time. That is an achievement.
DJing is a game of patience
Being a DJ is not just remixing and playing a couple of discs at the same time. One has to learn to compose good music of their own to become a good DJ. A lot of youngsters enter this profession but don’t manage to last as there is a lot of patience needed as well as an interest in all kinds of music. A person also has to understand the music so that they can play it in a better way.
Prominent influences
My music is influenced by Jon Hopkins, Sigur Ros, Olafur Arnalds, etc. I love science and philosophy a lot and that is evident in my songs.
Career as a DJ
It is difficult to make a career as a DJ as there is a lot of competition. If you want to succeed as a DJ, you have to learn to compose your own songs.
Apart from music...
I like to spend time with friends and play ping-pong. I’m not a cricket fan but I like to watch the Ashes series and I love Wimbledon as well.
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