ADJF Interview: BeXta (by Cupe)

[Cupe]

BeXta’s career has been a unique and integral contribution to Australian dance music history. Starting in 1993, BeXta was living in Brisbane and played her first live show to 3000 people at the Arena (aka Roxy). Producing and performing live at this time, rather than dj-ing, her talents lay in her energetic live performances and productions. In 1994 she singularly supported Bjork, and began performing regularly around Brisbane, leading to her first single “Lunar Tango” in 1995 with Sirius Music. Lunar Tango received support from Triple J, being played 4-5 times per day for an extended period of time.

In 1995, Bexta completed her Bachelor of Music in Music Technology at the Conservatorium of Music, while her touring schedule was becoming increasingly intense, and by 1996, BeXta played her first Big Day Out Show. To this date, BeXta has played more Big Day Out shows than any other act in the history of the event, the last one being the national tour in 2008. Her biggest audience at the Big Day Out was to 14,000 people and BeXta regards the Big Day Out as some of her most memorable shows.

Things moved on for Bexta in 1997, when she signed with Sony Music, took up djing, and moved south to Sydney. BeXta’s track appeared on Sony dance compilations including Strictly techno, and DJ Beats. Her first solo release with Sony was “Questron” which went very well, and a video clip was shot for the track. Her next release with Sony, the “Skirmish Live EP”, which was recorded live at one of her gigs. This was released on cd and vinyl, and the track “Make It Phunkee” from the EP became one of the most played tracks at dance events in Oz that year. Make It Phunkee was also released as a single with a video clip, as well as Drum Beets, and Music Makers.

In 1998, BeXta took up a weekly dj residency in Sydney at a club called Plastic, where she exclusively resided in Sydney for many years. BeXta has also started touring nationally, not only with her live shows, but djing also. From that point on, BeXta’s touring schedule began to fill up, and now, 15 years on from when she started, BeXta is a weekly traveller, playing up to 3 different cities every weekend of the year.

BeXta has played with and exclusively supported artists such as Hardfloor, Paul Van Dyke, Underworld Fat Boy Slim, Timo Maas, Alex Kidd, the Prodigy, Carl Cox, Basement Jaxx, Ronski Speed, and many many more. BeXta has also toured internationally, playing at places like the UK, Indonesia, China, Malaysia, Noumea, Canada, and New Zealand.

After starting as a live performer and producer, Bexta’s fame as a dj in Australia grew. Her ranking on the Australian inthemix top 50 dj poll peaked at number 3 and she is always a dominant figure in these sort of polls. In 2000, BeXta released a double dj mix cd, called Mixology. Now, it is one of the longest lasting dj compilations of that genre in Australia. Mixology is currently in its 12th installment, and the cd’s have become a collectors item. Bexta has just announced that she will be one of the DJ’s on next years “Central Energy” compilation, with PeeWee Ferris and Showtek.

After visiting the UK in 1999, BeXta was signed up to UK label “Recover”, and released a single in 2001, called “One for the Road”. One for the Road was also remixed by Andy Farley. The track did extremely well in the UK, becoming a regular on Radio one, and ending up in the Anthems list of 2001 for Radio One written by Judge Jules. It also received a 5 star rating in DJ Mag. One for the Road was re-released again in 2007, with new mixes, when it received it’s second 5 star rating.

In 2004, BeXta started her own label, initially called KMA, but later renamed to Mixology Digital Records. The first release on the label was her debut album “Conversations with ones and zeroes”. The album went to number 8 on the ARIA charts in the Independent album release category. The single ‘Alien” was released from the album, and had a video clip. Since then Bexta has release a swag of her own singles, and signed up other Australian artists, with the goal to promote and encourage other Australian producers, particularly in the hard trance genre.

Bexta has remixed a number of artists, including “The Winner Is” by Southend - the song from the Sydney Olympics which went top 10 in Australia. She has also remixed ACDC, Wavestorm, Vanessa Amarossi, tyDi, Icehouse, and other Australian dance artists. Bexta has also done music in film and television including the movie “Looking for Ali Brandi”, tv show “Neighbours” and adds for the RSPCA and Toohey’s.

Bexta has appeared on numerous front covers of magazines and had features in countless medias. These include 3D World, FHM, Ralph, Substance Magazine, DJ Mag, J Mag, Groovine, and has featured in every single street music press publication in Australia. BeXta has also appeared on MTV several times, as a guest and a co-host, and also Channel V, and Channel 10’s and channel 2’s music shows. Bexta has been monthly mix up resident on Triple J more than once, and now has her own radio show, called the Mixology Show, which is broadcast on Slinky.FM and syndicated on Kiss FM in Australia.

Finally, BeXta has embarked on a new project, called Australian Shuffler. After moving to Melbourne in 2006, Bexta became fascinated with the dancing style the “Melbourne Shuffle”. Australian Shuffler is an online video Shuffle competition and global community, and brings Shuffle events to venues around the country - not just in clubs but at underage events also. Due to the growing popularity of Australian Shuffler, and the international interest in the Melbourne Shuffle, Bexta is also hoping to take this overseas, particulally Asia, where the dance style is huge.

So with 14 singles, one EP, one album, 12 mix compilations, a weekly radio show, tour support for the biggest in the world, front cover features, and her own label, and dance ventures, this woman of dance stands out as a great contributor to the history of Australian dance, and is on her way to ensuring her international mark is just as bold.

Things have come a long way since beXtaism was released on cassette in '95 and your own release in '04 'Conversations with ones and zeroes' as well as the mixology series among many other releases and remixes. What lessons have you learnt along the way?

I think probably too many to mention. Although the main one is that I treat my relationship with music like I treat a relationship.. It has highs and lows; sometimes you love it, sometimes you feel like to hate it, but you don't really.. and it always is there to teach you to be a better person.

What do you do to prepare for your gigs?

I have a knack for remembering tracks, so I’m lucky I don't have to sit there and listen to everything in my collection - all 1000 of them! I just flick through them, and reflect on the type of gig I'm playing, have a shot of vodka and off I go!

Can you name 3 things that always accompany you to every set?

Dj stuff (headphones, cd's etc), girl stuff (lipgloss, mints, perfume) and a good attitude.

What are you listening for in your track choice? What sound comes together to help you choose what to play and what not to play?

I play a wide range of styles, so in each style I’m looking for good production, and something that I like, and I’d want to dance to. The crowd really decides what i play in the end, although I will always test their boundaries and try to introduce something new. I turn up knowing that I like every tune in my record box and go from there.

Is another release on the cards in the near future? Is there anything you would like to change or include in a second release that you didn't in the first?

I've been doing digital singles, and have recently released 2 - "SHFL" with Phats Life, and "Bass Station" which is a tribute to where I play when I’m in Melbourne on Fridays. I've just finished the Mixology 12 tour/release. My next cd will be Central Energy. I'm currently working my arse off in the studio with some more tunes. I hope to have an album of my own work ready next year.

Who, in your eyes, do you see as smashing the Australian scene at the moment?

In my corner of the scene, it's pretty tough at the moment, there's only a couple of dj's successfully touring the country, and releasing their own music. I fully support those dj's who produce their own music - it hasn't happened enough in this country in the past, with trance/hard trance anyway.

What other Australian DJ's do you rate, past or present?

My biggest influences when I first started were the Ferris' Peewee and John were inspiring and also supported me when I first started.

What venues have you played at that let you seriously pound out your set, and the crowd just loved it?

There's a big list of gigs that I have great memories of. I think one of the best was Big Day Out in Sydney when I played live last time.. It's kinda fun playing to 14,000 people! But sometimes it's the gig at the club with a capacity of 400 very hot and sweaty, people going nuts. That can be the most fun.

What was the first album you ever bought?

First dance album.. I can't even remember which one was first! But I know it was either Jam and Spoon "Tripomatic Fairytales 2001" or Carl Cox's "Fact" compilation, or Cosmicbaby, or some dodgy compilation with "Here's Johnny" on it.

How do you see the Australian scene compared to the rest of the world at the moment?

I think clubs are doing it tough, but festivals are rocking. There's not many clubs that have a weekly and get a full house anymore. It's just a changing scene. Clubs haven't really stepped up and offered something new since the club scene was big in the 90's. Festivals are getting massive turnouts but are so expensive. I think it's pretty similar to other countries. The only other difference is, I think, we need to support our own talent, and each other, more in Australia. The Americans and the British love and support their own, and put their own talent above that of other countries. It's a shame we don't see that here more. In saying all that, I think we do have a decent scene here - I know many internationals that think Australia has the best crowds and the best setup.. i have to agree!

What was the best event you've attended as part of the crowd?

The Love Parade in 1999 - there were 2 million people there, plus every big dj known to man. You can't go past that.

What advice, if any, would you give to up and coming DJ's?

Produce your own music.. It gives you an edge and defines your sound.

What do you do outside of the music scene? Any little known hobbies you enjoy?

I spend 7 days a week on music pretty much. But I also have been renovating and landscaping which is another creative outlet for me. I'm always doing something. Although sometimes I like to spend a whole day watching a series, like Sopranos, and staying in the pj's.. I think everyone needs those days now and then.

Why do you think people take you as a shy girl?

LOL. Over the years I’ve come to hate the word "SHY" coz it implies a lack of self esteem. I am quietly spoken. I always say I speak thru music. I hate meaningless conversation and talking for the sake of talking. I'm not a girly girl. People who know me well know I’m the opposite of shy, I’m trouble!

Want to add any plugs/Shoutouts/MySpace/URL/Facebook/Labels/Links?

Facebook:

www.facebook.com/bextamixology

Twitter:

www.twitter.com/djbexta

Mixology 12 (Released in September):

http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZSt ... 9&s=143460

Beatport Releases:

https://www.beatport.com/en-US/html/con ... tyId=46406

Shuffle Prac Compilation (Recent release):

http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZSt ... 3&s=143460

Interview and post editing by Cüpe D'etat

Do not reproduce and reuse this article without permission.

[skyblue]

nice job, I last shuffled to bexta at big bass back when it was at the Palace in St Kilda, She rocked it.. I remember she played an electric guitar in her set it was mad!

[ChevChelios]

Good read

[Skank]

hmm i was at a lub called coonies in wollongong a few years back where she rocked up an hour late and only played for 35 minuets

[skyblue]

lol reminds me of Hellraiser... He just dosn't show up lol even though he has been booked and paid a deposit... Bexta is alright but for a hard Dj thats a chick i much prefer Jewelz.

[ChevChelios]

hmm i was at a lub called coonies in wollongong a few years back where she rocked up an hour late and only played for 35 minuets

Gross, coonies is scum and has gotten worse when they tried to go up market.

Cupe you changed my post, how dare ye

[Cupe]

Well technically it wasn't in the wrong place

I just remade the Interviews forum section after your post and thought I'd let it make more sense

[ChevChelios]

Hahaha, right

[CBG]

nice man, bexta is old school