A three-time Tasmanian DMC DJ Champion (2017-2019) who placed third in last year's national championships, Max Best has been a full-time DJ and music producer for ten years.
One half of the duo OOC Music (a saxophonist and a turntablist who create drum n bass and glitch hop), Max Best is one of the ten finalists in the 2020 Australian DMC DJ Championships.What does it mean to be a finalist in the 2020 Australian DMC DJ Championships?
It means a lot to me. It's been a massive creative outlet these past few years.
The creative and practical aspects of your championship video set; how's it all coming together?
Tempting to lie and put something staunch here haha! It's far from finished; gonna be a few sleepless nights.
Describe your championship video set in six words?
Haven't finished it, not sure lol.
How many hours/ days have you put aside to practice your routine; and biggest sacrifice you’ve had to make to maintain that focus?
I tend to write routines rather quickly. Probably about eight, nine days at about five to eight hours a day on the routine itself, but I've been playing with music like this for years so it's kinda hard to quantify effectively. Just cut back on a few gigs, nothing too bad.
Who has been the biggest influence re: your own scratching techniques?
A couple DJs in Victoria have had the patience to teach me some stuff when I've been there for the finals in previous years: Broke, Nikk C and Lickweed.
It's mostly from the locals here though; always cutting it up at Mobius Lounge Bar. Jape, Brokk Houston, Royal B, Dameza, DJ Mad, Rowdy Boi, Nesmo.
When you're not home practising your turntable skills, where can we find you DJing when COVID allows it?
Mobius Lounge Bar. It's this dope oasis of turntablism in Hobart. If you can cut and your visiting come throw down.
Don't get ahead of yourself; from the other finalists, who's your pick to be crowned Australian champion?
I was a little shaken by Clear Cut; his two minutes was pretty solid without a single cut and his cuts are fire. But it's gotta be a solid tie between J-Red and Wallzee. Really keen to see what they've been cooking up.
You're at a party and someone asks what exactly turntablism is, how do you respond?
With a lot of enthusiasm and patience.
To watch Max Best's routine and comment, visit the official DMC page.
The Australian finalists will each upload a new, four-minute set by 15 October (national finals streamed on 18 October), with the national winner announced on 25 October. The global DMC champion will be crowned 30 November.
