Seducing us into an entire new vortex of discovery, DJ CoolRex rips off the band-aid of the previous and drops us deeper into his speaker-shuddering new single, I Need. The Ohio-born tech-house producer reveals to us the internal workings of the music enterprise, surviving 2022’s disastrous Hurricane Ian, future plans, promoting automobiles and the way it feels to be utterly uplifted by a 24-hour rave within the mountains of Tennessee.

Llewelyn: Welcome to A&R Manufacturing unit and we’re completely delighted to be talking with you right this moment. Firstly, how did you get within the music recreation and your DJ identify..we adore it..what’s the story behind it if you happen to don’t thoughts sharing?

DJ CoolRex: Hello, thanks for having me! It’s very nice to be doing a characteristic with you guys! I’ve been making music since I used to be a child and truly made a track again in highschool that I attempted to get our principal to play when our crew got here out of the tunnel, so you possibly can see that I at all times had a business-like mindset. I went on to make some songs in my early twenties and acquired to a degree the place I had about 50,000 month-to-month listeners underneath a unique identify that had began as a gaggle and ended up changing into a solo act as a result of the man I made the songs with (who shall stay anonymous) after ghosting me three years prior got here out of the woodwork demanding all these items from me. Then shortly after that the songs had been eliminated by my writer and that was that, however I discovered a helpful lesson. I knew that shifting ahead if I used to be gonna make music once more sooner or later I’d do it by my very own hand. So I moved in direction of producing and fiddled round with attempting to make beats for the following few years simply right here and there. It was humorous although I bear in mind proper round when Covid was actually taking off I used to be working at a dealership and can be watching youtube tutorials on beat making or watching some lecture on EQing whereas ready for purchasers as a result of I used to be actually attempting to be taught. It was at all times nerve-racking as a result of in automobile gross sales you’re sort of at all times alleged to be on the dealership telephones calling purchasers or sending follow-up emails, and automobile gross sales managers are at all times tremendous inquisitive which makes it additional embarrassing if you happen to get caught.

You may be stunned to listen to that I picked the identify and had all of it mapped out earlier than I even acquired a DJ controller. The identify at first was simply going to be CoolRex however one in all my greatest buddies Steve instructed me it ought to be DJ CoolRex so I made that change. I picked the identify as a result of I’m a laid-back man more often than not except I’m impressed about one thing which in truth doesn’t take all that a lot however the Rex half is definitely a double entendre as a result of it is sort of a dinosaur like a T-Rex however Rex can also be a synonym for King and I feel subconsciously that sort of offers a way of empowerment to the identify on prime of it already being like a T-Rex, a Cool, T-Rex, DJ CoolRex. I figured additionally everybody loves dinosaurs so, within the worst-case situation persons are simply vibing closely to some dinosaur visuals with lasers, smoke, and loopy bass which to me appears like one thing I’d need to do!

Llewelyn: DJs are God-like figures to many who simply need to dance and neglect their worries. What has been one of the best expertise within the music world, be it with a fan or assembly a teen who’s so impressed to be behind the decks and rock a crowd into absolute delirium?

DJ CoolRex: That is humorous to me as effectively as a result of I simply acquired again from a 24hr rave within the mountains of Tennessee that my brother Jake who can also be a DJ he goes by Specs had invited me to final minute. I wasn’t scheduled to play or something so it was simply listening to different DJs for twenty-four hrs. A lot of dancing and mingling, it was nice to be a fan of different folks and simply be part of the gang. I’m bought on the rave scene, I like the folks, I like the vitality, it’s a blast!

Llewelyn: Covid destroyed many goals within the music world. Do you are feeling like the whole lot is ‘again’ in your native space or is there extra work to be accomplished to make sure the long-term success of the venues?

DJ CoolRex: Yeah submit covid it positively looks like gatherings have been smaller at these venues however I feel issues are getting higher over time. I feel folks simply acquired used to not going out for some time so we’ve to present them a purpose.

Llewelyn: Hurricane Ian virtually destroyed your loved ones and life. Firstly, we’re so completely satisfied you and your family members are okay.
Profession-wise: You used to promote automobiles, how has the transition to being a full-time music producer/musician been and do you miss something about your earlier profession?

DJ CoolRex: It’s going to take years to rebuild down there. The smaller cities round that space, their constructions had been like wood homes on wood poles prolonged out of the water. I imply they crumbled; I noticed them. I bear in mind not too many days after the hurricane, I used to be on the dealership serving to transfer the automobiles again and clear up particles. The automobiles had been okay however the dealership had taken some harm just like the store doorways had been smashed in. Anyway, This girl confirmed up in a frenzy asking if she may purchase a automobile and we didn’t have energy so we couldn’t promote her one. She was saying that she was from one of many smaller areas just like the one I simply talked about and that she wanted to purchase a automobile to get out of the state as a result of that they had discovered a useless individual in her entrance yard after the storm. We didn’t have energy for weeks, different folks went longer than us with out energy or operating water. I miss sure elements of it. I miss hanging out with my buddies however that is higher for me. I’ve extra management over what I need to do. I can market/promote how I would like and no person is above me. That’s a method through which it’s related. It’s nonetheless a enterprise. I nonetheless handle it like I did in my automobile gross sales profession. The distinction is that I didn’t love promoting automobiles, I like making music.

Llewelyn: Should you met an alien tonight who had by no means heard music earlier than, how would you describe your sound and craft to them?

DJ CoolRex: If I met an alien tonight firstly, I’d be amped and need to know all about their story and what it’s like the place they’re from! If I needed to clarify my sound to an alien I’d first need to ask them what it’s they’re listening to, if they will hear. Then I’d ask them what they imply? Then as they’re explaining to me via their very own phrases my reactions would inform them if what they’re saying is what I feel too. The extra fellow earthlings I meet the extra I’ve discovered that folks hear very in another way. So I’m at all times extra desirous about how others are decoding my sound reasonably than truly giving them a basis to base their beliefs off on.

Llewelyn: You’ve simply been given the keys to crafting a large pageant lineup with a limiteless price range. Who’s on the lineup, what’s the vibe and the place is it?

DJ CoolRex: It’s going to be someplace that isn’t too sizzling or chilly so persons are comfy. I’d need to analysis venues. I’m bringing Fisher, Martin Ikin, Chris Lake, David Guetta, Morten, Skrillex, James Hype, Diplo, Matroda, Noizu, Pauline Herr, DOBe’, John Summit, Chris Lorenzo, Oliver Heldens, Tom Budin, Merk & Kremont, Justus, Header, CamelPhat, armnhamr, Ray Volpe, Wax Motif, Dombresky, Circulate Dan, Fredagain, Gorgon Metropolis, Zeds Useless, Blasterjaxx, Dom Dolla, Arminvan Buuren, Subtronics, Jay Eskar, Elif. I’m positive there’s extra as a result of there are such a lot of dope artists everywhere in the world oh and my brother Specs. The vibe is numerous lasers, bubbles, some fireplace, a huge display for visuals, it’s a multiple-day pageant. There are meals vans, numerous artists with tents to showcase their work, and all simply love and enjoyable.

Llewelyn: Lastly, what does the longer term maintain and the place do you see your sound headed? Additionally, the place can our A&R Manufacturing unit readers see you reside subsequent?

DJ CoolRex: Sooner or later, I positively plan to play festivals, and different massive venues, and I’ve extra songs within the pipeline so keep tuned! My social media is energetic and I’m at all times sharing different music artists’ content material on my tales from everywhere in the world so there’s recent and thrilling content material day by day! Additionally, please go to my web site and subscribe to the mailing listing so you possibly can keep within the loop about new reveals, merchandise, reductions, giveaways and so forth.

–

Flip this up on Spotify and neglect all worries.

See the journey increase additional on IG.

Interview by Llewelyn Display screen