Carl Cox

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Carl Cox
Cox in 2005
Cox in 2005
Background information
Birth nameCarl Cox
Born (1962-07-29) 29 July 1962 (age 61)
Oldham, England[1]
GenresHouse, techno, tech house, minimal techno
Occupation(s)DJ, producer
Years active1980s–present
LabelsIntec Digital
WebsiteCarl Cox

Carl Cox (born 29 July 1962) is a British house and techno club DJ, as well as radio DJ and record producer. He is based in Frankston, Victoria, Australia.

Cox has won and been nominated for numerous awards. He has performed at numerous clubs and electronic music or dance events worldwide. He has hosted a residency known as "Music is Revolution" every summer season at the Space Ibiza nightclub, from 2001 to 2016. He has featured his own "Carl Cox & Friends" stage at many festivals, such as Ultra Music Festival, The BPM Festival and Tomorrowland. Cox has also served as a monthly DJ for BBC Radio 1's Essential Mix.

He runs the record label, Intec Digital, which was founded around 1998 as Intec Records. Cox also had his own radio show and podcast, entitled Global, which he ran until February 2017. In 2018, he founded Awesome Soundwave, a record label focused on live electronic music artists, with live artist and producer Christopher Coe.[2]

Early and personal life[edit]

Cox spent his early life in Carshalton, south London and moved to Brighton in his late teens.[3]

As of 2021, he is living in Hove[3] but also spends time in Melbourne, where he owns a house in Frankston.[4] At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Cox opted to return to his home in Frankston rather than Hove.[5]

Music career[edit]

1977–1990s[edit]

At age 15, Cox began working as a mobile DJ, finding a passion for disco music.[6] He began his music career around the same time that Chicago house music found its forefront in the world of dance music.[7]

In the 1980s, Cox became a mainstage DJ in the electronica industry.[8] He eventually became known as one of the founders of that sound and was part of the emerging British rave scene,[9] and became renowned for the uncommon practice of three-deck mixing.[10] He played at the first night of Danny Rampling's Shoom night after his return from Ibiza in the summer of 1987, a Balearic / Acid House night in London.[citation needed]

In the early 1990s he released his debut single for Paul Oakenfold's Perfecto label, "I Want You (Forever)".[11][12] Cox continued to create music, eventually embracing techno music that would soon become popular.[13]

He ran Ultimate Base at the now defunct Velvet Underground club on Charing Cross Road, London in the mid-to late 1990s.[14] Cox also played the Millennium on New Year's Eve 1999, by performing in Sydney, Australia, and again in Hawaii after flying back over the International Date Line.[15] He was also global resident DJ for BBC Radio 1's Essential Mix in 1998–99.[16] In 1997, DJ Magazine chose Cox as the first #1 DJ for its first top 100 poll.[17]

21st century[edit]

He broadcast over a decade's worth of Ibiza live mixes from Space, specifically from 2001 to 2016.[18]

In 2001, Cox began a yearly residency at Space Ibiza, a nightclub in Ibiza, Spain.[19] He began playing on the terrace for Space's "We Love... Space on the Terrace". Following that, he played on Thursdays inside the club.[20] For fifteen years, Cox built his residency entitled "Music is Revolution".[21][22] The final season of Cox's residency was entitled "The Final Chapter" and took place every Tuesday during the summer of 2016.[23] Cox finished the residency on 20 September 2016 by playing a vinyl and CDJ, ten-hour set.[24] Artists who joined Cox on his final night included tINI, Popof, Nic Fanciulli and DJ Sneak. Cox also played at the closing night of the club itself on 2 October 2016.[25]

In 2004, Cox debuted the Carl Cox & Friends arena at Ultra Music Festival, which has since taken place for twelve years.[26][27] In the film Can U Feel It?, a documentary about Ultra Music Festival, Cox explains that the concept of Carl Cox & Friends came about as a result of not only wanting to play longer sets at festivals, but also to give festival goers an experience within the festival, as Carl has far more creative control over his own stage.[28] The stage is popular with festival goers, and has featured artists like Laurent Garnier, Nic Fanciulli, Loco Dice, Marco Carola, Maceo Plex and many more.[29][30] Since he created the Carl Cox & Friends concept in 2004, this curated stage has taken place at other festivals and events including Awakenings, EDC Las Vegas, The BPM Festival, Ultra Europe, Tomorrowland, Amsterdam Dance Event and many others.[31][32][33][34][35][36][37][38]

Cox has performed at clubs such as the Eclipse, Shelley's Laserdome, Sterns Nightclub, Heaven, Sir Henry's, Angels and The Haçienda, as well as raves for Fantazia, Dreamscape, NASA and Amnesia House.[39][40][41][42][43]

While it was speculated that he would retire in 2017 after he finished his residency at Space Ibiza, Cox has continued to announce festivals and events for 2017 including three showcases at The BPM Festival, his stage at Ultra Music Festival, and two appearances at the Social Festival in Mexico and Colombia.[44][45][46][47][48][49] In 2017, Cox was also named the global ambassador of Ultra Music Festival's techno and house music concept, Resistance.[50] Carl Cox also announced the 2017 dates for a festival he has curated entitled Pure Festival, which took place in Sydney and Melbourne, Australia, during April 2017.[51]

After sixteen years of Cox's Global radio podcast, he announced via Facebook that he would no longer be working on the show and that it would end in February 2017.[52] [53][54]

In 2019 Cox travelled to Australia and worked with Gavin Campbell, producing a remix of Yothu Yindi's song "Treaty",[55][56][57] performing live outdoors with Yothu Yindi & The Treaty Project at the Babylon Festival, Carapooee, Victoria, in February 2019.[58] For 2020, he announced via the Goodwood website that he would be playing a summer festival DJ set at the first of the Three Friday nights at Goodwood Racecourse with a special dedication to the Lloyds before their departure.[59]

Intec[edit]

Cox formed his own record label, Intec Records in 1998–9.[60] Intec Records released music from 1999 to 2006.[61] However, in 2006 he decided to put the label on a brief hiatus and relaunched it in 2010 as Intec Digital.[62]

Awesome Soundwave[edit]

In 2018, Cox teamed up with live artist Christopher Coe to form a new record label solely focused on live electronic artists. Awesome Soundwave is Cox's second label, after techno label Intec.[63] The label debut featured Christopher Coe's 'MNTNs of SLNC' album.[64] In 2019, the label made its debut at Amsterdam Dance Event with Awakenings Festival, and returned in 2022 for a daytime event at Ziggo Dome, Amsterdam. The label held a residency at DC-10 Ibiza in July- August 2022.[65] In 2023, the label has an extensive roster of live and improvised artists, such as Marc Romboy, Hannes Bieger, Robert Babicz, An On Bast, Saytek and Australia's Honeysmack.[66]

In film[edit]

In 1999, Cox starred in the British film Human Traffic as Pablo Hassan, the manager of the Asylum club.[67]

Cox starred in a 2017 EDM-themed documentary titled What We Started with Martin Garrix showing thirty years of EDM history by focusing mainly on his and Martin Garrix's diverging careers.[68] The documentary is co-written, produced and directed by Bert Marcus[69] alongside executive producer and music supervisor Pete Tong.[70]

In music[edit]

Scooter mentions Cox in their 1994 song Hyper Hyper, during which lead singer H.P. Baxxter reads out the name of numerous DJs.

Carl Cox Motorsport[edit]

Cox set up Carl Cox Motorsport in New Zealand in 2013.[71]

Isle of Man TT[edit]

Carl Cox Motorsport backed motorcycle legend Michael Dunlop at the 2022 Isle of Man TT. Dunlop won both Supersport races at the event.

Extreme E[edit]

United Kingdom Carl Cox Motorsport
Founded11 January 2023; 14 months ago (2023-01-11)
No.10
NationUnited Kingdom
Folded9 February 2024; 36 days ago (2024-02-09)
Former seriesExtreme E
Noted driversGermany Timo Scheider
Spain Christine GZ
United States Lia Block
Races10
Wins0
Podiums1
Best qualifiers0
Super sectors0
Points50
First entry2023 Desert X-Prix
Last entry2023 Copper X-Prix
Websitewww.carlcoxmotorsport.com

In January 2023, Carl Cox Motorsport has been confirmed as a new entrant in the electric off-road racing series Extreme E for the 2023 season with Christine GZ and Timo Scheider signed as drivers for the team.[72][73] The team won its first podium by finishing third in Round 3. In Round 4, the team withdrew from the race after the car was damaged during qualifying.[74] In July, Lia Block, the daughter of the late Ken Block, replaced Christine GZ at Round 5 for the rest of the season.[75] The team finished in ninth place in the Teams' Championship in their debut season.

Prior to the 2024 season, Carl Cox Motorsport announced they will take a sabbatical to concentrate on entering Extreme H, a series similar to Extreme E but uses hydrogen-powered cars instead, in 2025.[76]

Racing overview[edit]

Year Name Car Tyres No. G. Drivers Rounds Pts. Pos.
2023 United Kingdom Carl Cox Motorsport Spark Odyssey 21 C 8. F Spain Christine GZ
United States Lia Block
(1–4)
(5–10)
50 9th
M Germany Timo Scheider (1–10)

Racing summary[edit]

Year Series Races Wins Pod. B/Qual. S/S Pts. Pos.
2023 Extreme E 10 0 1 0 0 50 9th

Complete Extreme E results[edit]

(Races in bold indicate best qualifiers; races in italics indicate fastest super sector)

Year Entrant 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Pts. Pos.
2023 Carl Cox Motorsport DES1
Saudi Arabia
7
DES2
Saudi Arabia
9
HYD1
Scotland
3
HYD2
Scotland
DNS
ISL-I1
Italy
9
ISL-I2
Italy
10
ISL-II1
Italy
5
ISL-II2
Italy
8
COP1
Chile
6
COP2
Chile
9
50 9th

Discography[edit]

Studio albums
  • At the End of the Cliche (1996)
  • Phuture 2000 (1999)
  • Second Sign (2005)
  • All Roads Lead to the Dancefloor (2011)
  • Electronic Generations (2022)

Awards and nominations[edit]

Publications[edit]

  • Oh Yes, Oh Yes!. London: White Rabbit, 2021. ISBN 978-1474616270.[77]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Greer, Stuart (14 November 2007). "DJ speaks of his horror at club carnage". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 19 August 2021.
  2. ^ "Carl Cox launches brand new label". DJMag.com. 18 January 2018. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
  3. ^ a b Sturges, Fiona (19 August 2021). "DJ Carl Cox: 'When I tell people my story, they don't believe it'". The Guardian. Retrieved 19 August 2021.
  4. ^ Kanoniuk, Lachlan (14 June 2012). "Carl Cox". Beat Magazine. Retrieved 24 November 2023.
  5. ^ "The Art of DJing: Carl Cox · Feature ⟋ RA". Resident Advisor. Retrieved 28 February 2024.
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  11. ^ "Carl Cox". Retrieved 25 August 2016.
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  13. ^ "Big earners: The 30 Richest DJs in the World". 13 June 2012. Archived from the original on 7 February 2016. Retrieved 25 August 2016.
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  17. ^ "You won't believe who's on the 1993 DJ Mag Top 100". 31 October 2013. Archived from the original on 16 November 2015. Retrieved 25 August 2016.
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  19. ^ "Carl Cox gives his reasons for leaving Space Ibiza". inthemix. 27 October 2015. Archived from the original on 12 November 2015. Retrieved 17 January 2017.
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  21. ^ "Carl Cox will spin vinyl for the first time in 10 years for last residency party". Mixmag. Retrieved 17 January 2017.
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  29. ^ Lamb, Camille (26 March 2011). "Carl Cox and Friends at Ultra Music Festival 2011 Day One, March 25". Retrieved 15 August 2016.
  30. ^ "Carl Cox Celebrates 10 Years of his legendary Carl Cox & Friends Arena at Ultra Music Festival in Miami March 28/29". BeatLounge Radio. 3 March 2014. Retrieved 15 August 2016.
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  32. ^ "EDC Las Vegas Releases 2013 Set Times". Mixjunkies. 19 June 2013. Archived from the original on 18 January 2017. Retrieved 17 January 2017.
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  35. ^ "Tomorrowland España on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved 17 January 2017.
  36. ^ "Awakenings reveals full ADE line-up - News - Amsterdam Dance Event". Amsterdam Dance Event. Retrieved 17 January 2017.
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  38. ^ "Awakenings ADE - Presents Carl Cox & Friends at Gashouder". Resident Advisor. Retrieved 25 August 2016.
  39. ^ Bromwich, Kathryn (14 August 2016). "On my radar: Carl Cox's cultural highlights". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 15 August 2016.
  40. ^ "Sterns: The rise and fall of the UK's most unlikely superclub". FACT Magazine: Music News, New Music. 9 April 2015. Retrieved 15 August 2016.
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  42. ^ "Fabio interview: Return of the original ravers". Retrieved 15 August 2016.
  43. ^ "Laurent Garnier at the Works, First SF Appearance in a Decade. 4 Hour Set – Public Works". publicsf.com. Retrieved 15 August 2016.
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  47. ^ "The BPM Festival: We Are The Night". Resident Advisor. Retrieved 17 January 2017.
  48. ^ Duran, Jose D. (2 December 2016). "Ultra Music Festival 2017's Resistance Lineup: Sasha & Digweed, Carl Cox, Jamie Jones, and Others". Miami New Times. Retrieved 17 January 2017.
  49. ^ "The Social Festival". Resident Advisor. Retrieved 17 January 2017.
  50. ^ "Ultra Music Festival Confirms Thirty-One Acts in Biggest Resistance Phase 1 Lineup To Date · Resistance". Resistance. 2 December 2016. Archived from the original on 18 January 2017. Retrieved 17 January 2017.
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  52. ^ "Carl Cox - Thanks to Gavin, John, Zak and all ..." Facebook. Archived from the original on 26 February 2022. Retrieved 17 January 2017.
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  55. ^ Middleton, Ryan (13 March 2019). "Premiere: Filthy Lucre Revive 1991 Classic 'Treaty' With New Remix". Magnetic Magazine. Retrieved 18 January 2022.
  56. ^ Treaty (Carl Cox Remix) on YouTube (14 March 2019)
  57. ^ "Treaty (Filthy Lucre 1991 Remix [Remastered]) by Gavin Campbell, Yothu Yindi on Beatport". Beatport. Retrieved 18 January 2022.
  58. ^ 'Treaty' (Carl Cox remix). Carl Cox live at Babylon Festival, Carapooee, Australia. Feb 2019. on YouTube (1 March 2019)
  59. ^ "Carl Cox DJ Set, Goodwood Racecourse Horse Racing and Dance Music| Goodwood". www.goodwood.com. Retrieved 27 February 2020.
  60. ^ "Carl Cox Celebrates 100th Label Release With New 'Intec 100' EP: Exclusive". Billboard. 25 February 2016. Retrieved 25 August 2016.
  61. ^ "Feature Review : Intec reign supreme with this phenomenal album - Decoded Magazine". 10 February 2016. Retrieved 25 August 2016.
  62. ^ "Imprints: Intec Digital". Thump. Retrieved 25 August 2016.
  63. ^ Bein, Kat (18 January 2018). "Carl Cox Launches Awesome Soundwave Label With Live Electronic Focus". Billboard. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
  64. ^ "Carl Cox launches new label for live electronic artists". Mixmag. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
  65. ^ "Carl Cox and Christopher Coe: creating Awesome Soundwave [Magazine Exclusive] - We Rave You". 18 July 2022. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
  66. ^ "Artists". Awesome Soundwave | Carl Cox and Christopher Coe. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
  67. ^ Human Traffic (1999) - IMDb, retrieved 8 May 2019
  68. ^ Baltin, Steve (27 October 2016). "New Doc 'What We Started' Sees Dance Music Through the Eyes of Carl Cox & Martin Garrix". Billboard. Retrieved 1 November 2016.
  69. ^ DJ Mag Staff (28 October 2016). "MARTIN GARRIX & CARL COX TO STAR IN EDM-FOCUSED DOCUMENTARY, WHAT WE STARTED". DJMag. Thrust Publishing Ltd. Retrieved 1 November 2016.
  70. ^ Jow, Sydney (27 October 2016). "Carl Cox tells his legacy in new documentary 'What We Started'". Mixmag. Retrieved 1 November 2016.
  71. ^ "The Carl Cox Motorsport story". Carl Cox Motorsport. Retrieved 3 March 2023.
  72. ^ "Superstar DJ Carl Cox confirms Extreme E team". Extreme E - The Electric Odyssey. 11 January 2023.
  73. ^ "Carl Cox Motorsport Extreme E: Introducing Timo & Christine - our Dream Team!". Carl Cox Motorsport. 2 March 2023.
  74. ^ Wilde, Dominik (14 May 2023). "Veloce Racing's Hansen and Taylor take second Hydro X Prix win". RACER. Retrieved 10 July 2023.
  75. ^ Beaver, Dan (4 July 2023). "Lia Block joins Carl Cox Motorsport for Extreme E in the Island X Prix". NBC Sports. Retrieved 10 July 2023.
  76. ^ Wilde, Dominik (9 February 2024). "Carl Cox to take Extreme E sabbatical ahead of hydrogen switch". RACER. Retrieved 11 February 2024.
  77. ^ Hodgkinson, Will. "Carl Cox: 'I saw people shot on the dancefloor' — the DJ on his highs and lows". The Times. ISSN 0140-0460. Retrieved 19 August 2021.

External links[edit]

Awards and achievements
Preceded by DJ Magazine Number 1 DJ
1996, 1997
Succeeded by