Local DJ Adam Swain has become a mainstay of the local club scene, running his own label, Buxton Records, a role that inevitably keeps him busy but on the tip of the electronic dance scene.
How did you first get involved in the local club scene?
I moved from Melbourne to Brisbane seven years ago. I didn't know anyone here at all ... Everything is a tad hazy howeverI think my first exposure to the Brisbane club scene and local DJs here was John Charles playing at Press Club. Fcrom there,I remember going to Uncle and Rikki Newton was playing as a resident. I’m pretty sure nearly every weekend that Rikki was playingI was either at the club or turning up to his house for kick on sessions. I would normally turn up with bags of records and a slab of beer and play for as long as I could.
Do you enjoy DJing to a big room or can the pressure be overwhelming at times?
I enjoy both bigger club environments and smaller intimate venues. I don't feel overwhelmed or pressure these days, I have been living all aspects of DJing from a young age, andI have had plenty experience playing warm-up slots for international DJs, everything from rooftop bars to boat parties, headlining myself at events in Hong Kong, to outdoor parties in Bangkok.
Do you structure your DJ sets?
I structure my sets in a sense of making sure that my music is well categorised in regards to music suited to particular set times,in particular for warm-ups, closing sets etc. However,I never have planned out sets. Sometimes I will have two, three particular songs I would like to open with, however, the rest is feeding off the room, people, vibe, venue, size, location and allocated slot time.
Tell us a bit about Buxton Records... how did the label develop?
Buxton is a definite extension and result of everything else I have been doing over the years in regards to my passion for music. Three to four years ago I was always getting demos sent to me by Yokoo, Alex James and James Hunter asking for feedback etc before they sent them out to record labels in Europe. I was always very precise and honest with opinions, giving detailed replies in regards to structure of songs, sequencing, breakdowns etc. After a while some of the music these guys were sending through, I startedthinking, ‘Damn, this stuff is proper good’. We hosted Kevin Griffiths several times at Subtrakt Events, he runs TSUBA records in the UK, and we spent a fair bit of time outside of the club and over plenty of schooners I got to asking him about how it works. He gave me heaps of great advice andI just thought, ‘Let’s give it a go’. I had quit my full-time job, took up part-time shift work and focused even more on DJing and running the label.
Who have you signed to Buxton Records?
James Hunter, Walker, Dersu Uzala, Daniel Ray, Low Key Productions plus we have had remix action from SHOW-B, Pawas, Timmus, Auma, Altruism, Mr Skwirl and Little Fritter.
Buxton is hosting an NYD party at Capulet with Walker and Little Fritter headlining... what sort of entertainment is planned?
The idea of the party was straight up a midday to midnight 12 hour marathon party, catering for those kicking on from the night before or those that wanted to start fresh. Personally, I am not a fan of New Year’s Eve and The Valley, it's just way too hectic. Capulet is the perfect venue, open air in the courtyard andwe get to enjoy the day and also the evening. The music and journey changes as we enter into the night. We will also be celebrating and showcasing Walker's forthcoming EP, 'Love Generated Through Perseverance', which is out later in January.
What do you love about club culture?
The people and the music. You can't get a better feeling, whether you're on the dancefloor or DJing at the right event and atmosphere.
