Max Cooper is a London based musician and geneticist. A combination of these influences is evident in Max’s turntablist DJ sets, technical production style and abstract research topics. Max started DJing in the late 90’s in his home city of Belfast, Gaining inspiration from artists like QBert, DJ Craze, Baboo and DJ Noize, who used turntables as instruments to create new beats and sounds through scratching and juggling.

Max’s first EP, on UK based Evolved records, “One is None” instantly become one of the top selling EP’s on the label, setting the trend which has seen demand for his productions explode, with over 50 releases on labels including Traum Schallplatten, Naked Lunch, Shrink Records, Firefly Recordings, Flux, Trapez and Autist Records.  Max’s productions have earned him requests from some of the worlds biggest artists for remixes, with recent remixes of Extrawelt, Moonbeam, Kanio, Perc and Dominic Eulberg.

In 2009, Max signed to Traum Booking, who now manage his production output, remixes and gig schedule. 2009 has also seen Max’s turntablist skills on commission for television, with a monthly scratching tutorial feature starting in May for Underground TV, on sky channel, Propeller. He has recently finished his Phd in genetics, and involved in mathematical modelling research on the evolution of networks of genes at University College London … Obviously not your average producer! so we have recently caught up with the busy man ahead of his heavy gig and release schedule…

What was your first big breakthrough as an act?
I thought it was playing on Radio 1, but you’ve gotta be a producer these days, and it was really getting signed to Traum more recently that has made all the difference.

What have you been up to lately and what can we expect from you over the next couple of months?
Lately I’ve been working like a dog on productions, with my new EP out on Traum (Symphonica) last week, and new remixes for Dominik Eulberg, Tim Sheridan, Gary Beck, Moonbeam, Extrawelt, Jill Bellac, N’to, Bigger Than Jesus and more in the next few weeks + an “I” remix package on Traum where I’ve even remixed myself…dubstep!

What can people expect from your live show?
Ah yes, the live show is on the way as of this summer, and I’ve just this week received my APC40!….It’s a purpose build midi controller for Ableton Live, so that I can recreat all my own tracks and remixes out live. Expect a pickled partridge.

What’s the key to getting noticed?

Working harder than everyone else is willing to.

Where do you go out?
East London mainly, Bar54 is always a favourite, and I’ll always be pleased to venture south for Corsica Studios or Lightbox – amazing venues.

What do you think about dj mag’s top100 poll?
It’s nice to have something like that which can act to bring newer acts into the public eye, but at the same time it does seem to be monopolised by particular scenes and artists so I think the system for producing the poll could be improved.

Do you think the club scene is a closed shop with regard to new DJs getting heard?

Not at all, but it’s certainly not easy, persistence pays off.
Is there a different reaction in clubs from different countries across the globe?

Definitely, cheering breaks loose at very odd points in some countries!…And I’m wondering why everyone cheered at that snare that I dropped out. A good thing thought I think, if people were too predictable writing music for the dancefloor wouldn’t be much fun.

Do you have a favourite place or somewhere where you get the best reaction?
I always love playing in my old home town of Nottingham, always a lot of fun and big support.

What was the party that affected you a lot?
Firefly – I have been a resident there for about 8 years and it’s definitely shaped my musical direction and productions.

Who’s been your favourite musician or producer that you have worked with over the years?
Raw Hedroom from Trapez – I learnt a lot from him over the years.

What DJ’s and producers are doing it for you these days?
Jill Bellac, Stephan Bodzin, Phil Kieran, Extrawelt, Raw Hedroom.

If you could have anyone remix any of your tracks, who would it be and why?
Trentemoller, and I don’t think I need to explain why!

Which dj would you most like to punch and why?
Haha I better not answer this one.

If you ever walk around the house in pants and slippers and what do you listen to?
Philip Glass, Max Richter, Ulrich Schnaus, Boards of Canada.

Do you believe a good life is attainable Or is it something that is subject to luck ?
Luck definitely has the final say but I think we can give ourselves the best chance of the “good life” (whatever that might be) by working towards goals as hard as possible.

What is the meaning of life?
I think the reason this question can’t be answered is that it’s the wrong question, like asking, is the following question true or false? “This statement is false” – that statement is neither true or false because if it’s true, it’s false, and if it’s false it’s true!….And going back to the original question, is there any reason why life should have a meaning? It would need to have been “invented” by someone to have a meaning, and I don’t think it was! It’s like saying, what is the meaning of carrots? Or any other meaningless question!

What is your biggest turn off?
Partridges. Anyone wearing “eau de partridge” and all attraction is gone. I’m not really in to upside down heads either (where the mouth is at the top and eyes at the bottom) – not a good look.

Are you obsessed about anything?
Order. That’s the thing I like about Science research, if something isn’t right it just doesn’t work, so things are done with precision and clarity. Music is the opposite, no real rights or wrongs, all a bit of a mess!

What are your plans for the rest of the year?
I’ve got a load of remixes to do over the next few weeks, plus finishing my 3rd EP for Traum. I’m also having a remix EP for “I” done on Traum, which I’m really looking forward to – it will be much more electronica than my usual releases. Then, if all goes to plan in terms of getting funding I will be getting stuck in to my Science/Music research project combining my genetics computer models with my productions for a concept album.

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