End of year interview: Cody Chase

Welcome to an exclusive interview with DJ and music Producer Cody Chase, known for his magnetic stage presence and unique sound, Cody has had quite the journey this year; from playing at iconic events like Amsterdam Dance Event, to popular releases, and incredible DJ support from top-tier names, Cody has left his own mark on the Electronic music scene in the past months. In this conversation, we dive into Cody's standout moments and milestones in 2023, exploring his remarkable year in music and what's on the horizon for 2024.

Hi Cody Chase, how are you?

I’m doing amazing, just got back from an amazing weekend of gigging in Denver, my little boy just turned five months and he is my world. Life is good, no f*ck that, life is great!

Looking back on 2023, what would you consider as the standout moment or achievement in your career?

There have been so many highlights from this year, so I’ll only pick a few of my favorites.

I had the opportunity to play at Amsterdam Dance Event, but only had one show booked. I played my way into another three official events. This really did a number for my confidence and my teams ability to really sell how special I am behind the decks.

At the start of the year, one of my all-time favorite DJs, a man I consider partially responsible for getting me into Dance music as a kid, Benny Benassi, played a few of my tracks, ‘Illusion’ and ‘Don’t Talk’. ‘Illusion’ even made its way onto his Insomniac 30th anniversary special guest mix and was featured on Apple Music.

You've had a busy year with numerous releases and live performances. Could you share some of your personal highlights from your gigs and productions in 2023?

One of my favorite gigs from this year was at Superior Ingredients in Brooklyn, New York. I played a sold out dance floor and had the crowd in the palm of my hand from the start of my set (which I opened with a personal edit of ‘No Sleep Til Brooklyn’ by the Beastie Boys) all the way until the end.

One of my favorite productions of this year, is one that I just released, called ‘High As F*ck’, which while writing this, is sitting number 44 on the Beatport Mainstage chart. It’s even been picked up by Beatport’s official Spotify playlist.

Many artists use the end of the year to reflect on their creative journey. What are some lessons or insights you've gained about your music and yourself during this year?

I know this is gonna make me sound like a douche (lol) but being in Amsterdam at ADE and going to so many other gigs and shows, I realize that what I do behind the decks and how I DJ, that my play style is totally unique. Keeping a constant flow of 3 to 4 decks in the mix, while keeping it a congruent and cohesive sound really isn’t done by any of the modern DJs that I’ve seen. But not to worry in 2024 I plan on releasing a series of “how I DJ” videos and would love to elevate the style of my contemporaries.

Are there any artists you collaborated with this year or would like to collaborate with in 2024?

There are a few guys who really stand out in terms of production, that I would love to work with. Martin Ikin’s sound is really top notch! I’d also love to collab with Layton Giordani and Eli Brown. I’d also love to collab with James Hype, I love that guy. He really carries such an awesome mentality and attitude.

Your radio show, 'The Chase,' has been gaining traction. Can you tell us about any memorable episodes or moments from the show this year, and what can listeners expect in 2024?

The Chase has been an incredible opportunity for me to really expose new artists coming up in the scene, to rinse out some of the coolest tracks of the year, and it really gives me a ton of time to practice and elevate my own DJ skills. The show has made me play a new hour of music just about every week.

Some of my most memorable episodes have been with some of the really awesome guests that I’ve had most notably, Feddy LeGrand, who I grew up watching as a kid just starting out as a DJ. Also, I will have David Guetta on the show for our one-year anniversary episode coming out in a few weeks.

Are there any emerging trends or sub-genres that have caught your attention in 2023, and how might they influence your music in the coming year?

Hard Techno at 145+ BPM really seems to be catching a groove. But I don’t think that it is going to last too long and may end up a fad. It took about 20 years to re-emerge as popular again, but it has some really talented artists like I Hate Models, Sara Landry and 999999999 pushing it, so it will last a while longer.

I really like to think that my integration of Techno, Tech House and Bass is really a unique sound and genre all to its own, that I will continue to flush out, develop, and build upon in the coming years.

What goals have you set for yourself in 2024, both professionally and personally, that you're particularly excited about?

2024 should see my record label, Chasin Records really start to grow. Our goal is to release a new single every Friday of the year. For Cody Chase, our goal is to book 40 shows with stints on other continents like South America and Europe.

Do you have any plans for international tours or performances in 2024 that you'd like to share?

We are still in talks and negotiations, but we have some cool stuff on the horizon.

Maintaining a healthy work-life balance is crucial. How do you plan to ensure that you have time for relaxation and personal growth in the midst of your busy schedule next year?

I just had a new son who is five months old and being able to spend time and see him grow up is incredibly important to me. When I go on an extended tour, I plan on bringing my family with me, so while I will have insane moments in the rave, I also will still get to be a father and a husband while getting to take my family to see the world. Home is where they are, so as long as they’re with me, it doesn’t matter where we are in the world.

Lastly, what message would you like to convey to your fans and the Electronic music community as we approach 2024?

The Cody Chase sound is one that is unique and timeless. And in 2024, we promise to name the genre lol.

We want to thank Cody Chase for sharing his insights and experiences from 2023. As he continues to push boundaries and elevate his signature sound and style, we eagerly await what 2024 has in store for this talented artist; be sure to follow Cody Chase on social media to remain updated on his musical journey in the new year, and stay tuned for more electrifying releases and performances, as he promises this is just the beginning.