 DJ
COPPER TOP
www.electrogarden.com/djs/coppertop
www.tonedeafrecords.com
by Max Michaels
When did you first realize your love of music? What was your first
record you bought?
When I was five years old I bought a Beatle's 45 RPM single.. "Yellow
Submarine" I think... my sister (who is much older than me) turned me
on to the Beatles. I later (grade school) got into "Progressive Rock"
with lots of keyboards. Yes, ELO, Pink Floyd.. but I bloomed into a
New Wave fan in High School.
What was the first disc that got you into this genre of music?
Well.. truthfully enough... Nine Inch Nails "Pretty Hate Machine"
changed everything for me in 1989. When I heard that, and then soon
after, Front 242.. I knew I had found what I had been looking for my
whole life. BUT then came rave culture and I got into that as well. I
just love electronically produced music. but admittedly, I love it a
"bit darker".
What, where and when was your first DJ booking?
I have been promoting club raves since about 1991. I started DJing in
the year 2000 because I wanted to hear the best of the newest music
not being played by other DJ's. Finally, in 2001, I booked myself..
hahahahaha.. because I could (why not?).. but then I took it real
seriously. I already owned the Pioneer equipment. I got my first REAL
"guest gig" from Scary Lady Sarah (Chicago) in December, 2001 playing
at her annual gothic/industrial Ball. It all went well after that.
Did you teach yourself to DJ or did you have a mentor?
I had a few mentor's, and some people did help, but it was tough for
me. I really taught myself with some hints from others. But "mixing",
real mixing (not just the beatmatching), well, that came, and still
comes from watching the best DJ's and listening carefully, and
practice. practice, practice. I love to practice... even with my busy
schedule I practice four to five days a week.
Do you have a residency? (if so please give details)
I am a resident DJ here In Indianapolis at a club called Fusion. It is
a dark night. I play EBM, industrial, synthpop, and a little gothic. I
also do a dark rave once a month there called HARD. It features techno
in one room, and industrial/ebm in the other. I play once every eight
weeks at 1470 West in Dayton, Ohio. I have played as a guest in
dozen's of US, Canadian, and European cities including New York City,
Toronto, Chicago, Washington DC, Philadelphia, Rochester, Newark,
Kansas City, Belgrade, and this summer at Infest in Bradford UK plus
many others.
How/when did you hook up with TONEDEAF records?
I started with them as a talent agent and doing special events in
February, 2002, inlcuding The Future Wave Festival in June, 2002. I
have been working with Mark for about eighteen months now. We worked
together in the idea of this CD. It has sold very well for the label
and there should be more CD's by other DJ's down the road. I was
"picked" because of my mixing ability and my drive to make DJ's more
appreciated in our genre. I picked and mixed all the song's on my CD
"Vinyl Conflict #1.
Do you have any other CD release/or do you plan to have any in the
near future?
YES. But that is a secret. I will be releasing another DJ mix within
the next year. I hope to do some remixes and am working on producing a
few tracks. But the new DJ mix is most important to me and playing
live. I love to play live.
What has been one of your best gigs?
Well there have been alot.. really great gigs.. BUT the best was in
Trenton, New Jersey just this last April at Conduit. I must say it
sucked in an odd way. The headphones could not receive both channel's
simultaneously, and the booth monitor was a distance from where I
could hear. I really thought I would suck, but in the end I still
played one of the best beatmatched and mixed sets of my life. The best
part was the crowd reaction.. screaming and yelling.. packed dance
floor.. really made me high. BUT, with that said, I have had some
really great gigs all over. I love to DJ live, it is the best part.
Thanks for the interview and see you in sunny Florida on July 19!
Join us at FACTORY on August 30th (Labor Day weekend)
with DJ COPPER TOP, drink specials and an all around good time!
http://factory.iamwhati.com |
