Rabbit Interview with Latour

Codie Latour is a Gold Coast DJ. He’s been in the game for eight years but is still searching for the right sound. He’s opening Circus Paradise Festival this Sunday and here are a few of his thoughts. 

RABBIT RADIO: A lot has happened for you recently. 2018 marked a heap of major achievements, can you talk us through some of last year’s highlights?

CODIE LATOUR: I think some of my major highlights were: signing to Nervous Records - which is a label I’ve always wanted to collaborate with. They’re one of the top 5 house music labels ever in my opinion. I sent them a demo four years ago which wasn’t up to scratch yet and then just continually worked at it over time. [I] ended up getting there so that’s something that started the snowball effect with gigs and so on.

RR: How do you keep focused and on the right track?

CL: There’s definitely festivals that I’ve been offered that didn’t align with my sound or the direction I’m trying to push, so not just jumping on everything that comes up. I’ve worked with Grail House Management in Melbourne which opened doors down there as well as Elsewhere on the Gold Coast and Splendour [In the Grass], Falls [Festival] and all those channels as well as my own productions.

RR: Bringing us back to your roots, how did you come to choose dance music?

CL: It’s a pretty funny story actually. When I was 15 years old, I had a casual job at City Beach and became friends with this lower level management guy who had decks, he introduced me to that. I had no idea about dance music, I was mainly listening to hip hop and hardcore! He introduced me to Daft Punk, Boys Noize, Justice, and electro and house in general. And yeah, I was just like, “Man this thing is crazy, I love this!” I thought it was really cool and worked at it. I ended up saving money and buying my own decks and practice, practice. I guess the rest is history. [Laughs.]

RR: You have been DJ’ing for 8 years. What has changed and what has stayed the same?

CL: A lot has definitely changed. A few years ago, the rise of EDM launched dance music into the spotlight. I never really got into that side of it, I was more into the underground sound. Definitely [there are] constant changes. Changes will always happen, you just have to try and stay at the forefront of it. I definitely like all styles of music and can appreciate all styles.

RR: Over the years, I’m sure you’ve created heaps of links with other music enthusiasts. How have those collaborations impacted you as an artist?

CL: I’ve gotten into the studio with a couple of people and done a few collaborations on productions but the main thing that impacted me as a DJ is playing with people like Giv at elsewhere, as well as Stretch back in the day, just seeing how they read the crowd. You know, when to push, when to pull, what to play. As I said, always being at the forefront of music, never getting stuck in a lane too much I think that helps as well.

RR: Another recent achievement was that you became Elsewhere’s Friday Night Music Director…

CL: [It was] definitely something I didn’t expect anytime soon. [I am] definitely grateful for that position, it’s something I was striving for back in the day when first walked in the club and looked up to all these guys and saw them [as being] on a bit of a pedestal. I couldn’t believe they got paid to do this and it was their job. I wasn’t sure if I’d get there but I definitely put in the yards. I’m grateful and looking forward to 2019!

RR: What direction are you steering in next? What are some of your projects in 2019?

CL: I got a single coming out on Colour Castle’s Hot Sunday record label, so that’s a very similar sound to my Nervous release of 'Can’t Let Her Go.' It’s kind of a disco-housey inspired sound. As well as finish another couple singles, I’m still kinda trying to find the right sound. I guess that is the hard thing being a resident here for eight years, I play all kinds of different music in the dance and underground scene. I like different things, I’m trying to make a 3am record as much as I’m trying to make a 9pm record. [I’m] just still trying to figure out my scene, see what sticks and works.

RR: What can we expect from your Circus Paradise set?

CL: I’m honestly stoked to open Circus Paradise this Sunday. [I’m] going back-to-back with Giv from 12 to 1 so just looking to open up the festival nicely and create a nice scene for people arriving without pushing the sound too much! I guess it’s going to be a very Elsewhere-inspired set and yeah, can’t wait! Come down to the big cage!

Words by Sahel Virtamo