Twisted Disco are also very proud to announce the return of our first ever resident the mighty turntablist Max Cooper who will be performing an exclusive 6 deck scratch and FX set and trust us when we say this is seen to be believed. On the night he will also be previewing a selection of his finest new tracks from the label imprints flux and evolved records.

We caught up with him ahead of his gig this Friday at Pacha......

Hi Max . Where are you in world today and what did you get up to last night?

I am on the south west coast of England today, in a place called Salcombe, which is one of those pictur-esc seaside towns where everyone has at least one yacht, and a enjoys a weekly a cheese-board. Last night was a date at a warehouse party in the depths of a Hackney industrial estate - Basically as far from the cheese-boards as would be possible in a few hours travel.

I understand you bought your first pair of decks at the age of 16 whilst still in school. What inspired you to buy them, and how did you enter the world of DJ’ing?

I had got sucked into the 90's club scene like everyone else, going to nights like the everlasting 'Shine' in Belfast. One day I had a go on a mates decks, and decided straight away it was something I wanted to do. I went and got some crap decks shortly after, and that was it, off down the slippery slope.

Which Artists inspired you the most when you first started out?

I was always torn between two different scenes - the electronic music of the UK club scene, and the turntablist hip-hop djing coming from outside of the country. I was well into the technical aspects of DJing, so I found it amazing all the crazy shit those turntablists used to get up to - scratching with their elbows while they knitted a tea cosy for their grans at the same time, and stuff like that. So yeah, I definitely took more inspiration from those guys, like DJ Craze (US), DJ Noise (Holland) and Tony Vegas (UK), even thought the music I played was completely different.

Your first ever gig, where was it and how did it go?

My first ever gig was at a bar somewhere in west Belfast, for a mates birthday, probably the best gig I've ever done! Well I enjoyed it the most anyway. Just like my first go on the decks, that was it, off down the slippery slope.

Tell us about your style then Max, you mix on three decks with lots of tricks and scratching, but how would you define the music that you play and how versatile are you when playing different crowds?

I've always been in to a wide range of music, and I've had many years working my way up the djing ladder, playing to all sorts of crowds and venues. So I'm used to reading a crowd and playing something that I think works while still being within the stuff I'm in to at the time. It's definitely an issue with the producer driven scene at the moment, the old crowd reading can sometimes go out the window. The music I play is almost impossible to described, because everyone has a different idea about what words mean at the moment. 'Techno', means a lot of different things to a lot of different people. Best just check out my mixes or productions linked to below so you can make your own mind up on what it is - I'll call it 'fourstep electro rinsafolk' for now.

What have been the best moments of you DJ career and where would you like to see yourself in 5 years?

My first Radio 1 invite is up there, and so is my first gig at Firefly at the Ballroom too, it's gotta be seen to be believed there. At the moment I'm really focused on the productions, which are selling more and more with every release. Another 5 years of focus and I'll hopefully be established on that side of things.

Throughout your career you have played alongside major leaders in the scene, like Justice, Jeff Mills, Hot Chip, Trentemoller and Vitalic to name but a few. Is there anyone out there that you haven’t played alongside, you would like to be in a line up with?

Difficult question, to be honest, the people I really like playing with are the ones I get on with and who are up for a bit of craic ye know. Phil Kieran and Fergie always make for a good night, and Chris Finke is always a guarantee for some shenanegans. But you asked who I haven't played with didn't you, so I'm missing the point. Hmmm, Bodzin. Stephan Bodzin is an amazing producer, and I like following on from that sort of vibe, it's there for the smash!

What have you been up to recently in the studio. Can we expect any dancefloor bombs over the next few months?

Of course, 'fourstep electrotech rinsafolk' is gunna blow up, I tell ye!!! I've got some strong Thrash Jelly releases on the way on Firefly recordings. A massive Ito remix of compact yourself (watch out for Ito, an amazing producer!), and a great new various artists vinyl just out on Flux recordings (check out the track from Agaric on there - tis f***** good!). I've also got a new EP on Evolved records on the way, plus an EP on Shrink records, as well as some really exciting releases that I'm not allowed to talk about yet (except to say that they're big!!). Plus a load of remixes, best check my beatport page to see what I'm ranting on about!

Your playing at Pacha for Twisted Disco. What can we expect?

Because I'm often booked from a production point of view these days, a lot of the time I don't get provided for a turntablist set. This time it's different - a big booth, with lots of decks and mixers for me to go crazy on and scratch with my earlobe and all that ridiculousness. I'm looking forward to that. Musically it's going to be 400bpm Danish super-gabbacore all the way. It sort of sounds like when someone sandpapers your inner ear, how could anyone not enjoy that? But really. Just expect me to be having a big party with everyone there, tracks guaranteed.

Mixes:

Releases:
www.beatport.com/artists/max cooper

Websites:
www.maxcooper.net
www.myspace.com/maxcoopermax