Koipinoxia - Brighton's Progressive Enigma
We're so excited to bring back our Brighton Mixtapes Series. Since the success of our beloved Berlin Mixtapes Series, which has featured awesome guests so far, we felt there was a real gap in terms of showcasing the amazing talent within our own home city right here in Brighton. We have a wide spectrum of artists that span acrossany genres therefore we decided we would create the 'Brighton Mixtapes' Series, so that we can not only showcase established artists but also feature up and coming musicians that would like a platform to be heard.
Equally, whilst our focus at Berlin has always been somewhere between Deep House and Techno we can now open up and extend a wider reach into other genres that Brighton has to offer. Also each artist will be subject to a series of one answer quick-fire questions to accompany each guest mix to give readers a quirky insight into the artists' likes and dislikes.
Next up we welcome a longstanding member of the Berlin-Brighton crew and well-known figure within Brighton's Underground Music Scene. Koipinoxia AKA Colin Brooks or 'Colinos' as he is known in the Berlin family, burst onto the stage 4 years ago in his quest for deep underground sounds. It wasn't long until he was firmly nestled into the Brighton scene with gigs at Block, The Tempest, The Volks, the Arch, Marwoods and the Fortune of War, as well as an outing at The Generator, Barcelona and the Bimble Festival, gaining quick recognition by his musical piers and partygoers.
Koipinoxia started his own radio show towards the tail end of 2018 on Trickstar Radio, before moving to Decadance Radio 2 years later, delivering a multitude of deep, progressive and melodic flavours. We caught up with Koipinoxia to find out more.
Hi Colin, how are you and what have you been up to this week?
I'm well, thank you for asking... Floating around and trying to find the most obscure sets I can find. Always looking for something different.
How long have you been DJing?
4yrs. You can say 3yrs as one year was taken up by a pandemic!
What inspired you to start DJing so late on?
I was asked a question by a promoter... "Are you a DJ or a Promoter? You seem to be in all the good places". We would then meet up a couple weeks later and he asked me to DJ at one of his events. It was a New Years Day Party at the Block in Kemptown. Through that, I found a new way of expressing the way I play and listen to music. The DJs I would discover and listen to in Brighton would further inspire me. After that, I really started to develop my own sound.
You currently have a show on Decadance Radio but started your radio career on Trickstar Radio. Tell us more about the Trickstar days and your current show on Decadance.
My show on Trickstar was every Wednesday night 00:00-02:00. I was initially invited by you to come to the studio for one of your shows. It would take me months after that first visit to pluck up the courage to ask and apply for a show on the station. We had so much fun in the studio in those days. My first show was amazing, as I didn't have any equipment to practice on, so every show was literal off-the-cuff. I had no equipment at home, so no practicing beforehand, just rock up and play. Trickstar was the only way I could play back then.
Decadance is every Sunday Morning at 00:00-02:00, so your late Saturday night soundtrack. Decadance would change my shows again, giving me a more grounded approach. Being able to go into the studio and practice my sets has been great. I also pre-record some of the shows, which has allowed me to focus even more on my music without studio distractions.
What sort of music can people expect?
Deep, dark, Progressive Techno from around the world.
What fond memories do you have from the Trickstar days?
Being able to explore my musical prowess. The sweet spot in the studio where the sound was simply awesome (towards the back right corner), where you could hear and feel the sound of a great track. Our B2B shows. The many visitors that came along. The copious amounts of Cava and a Kokoro (local Japanese Takeaway restaurant) afterwards.
What are some of your fondest musical memories so far and what particular nights have left their mark in your heart? Having the honour to play for Berlin at the Green Door Store. Playing in Barcelona, at The Generator, then subsequently appearing in Time Out magazine, which mentioned that the event was one of the top ten places to be at that night. Playing at Chalk, Brighton.
Where was your first gig in Brighton?
At Block in Kemptown at the aforementioned New Years Day party. I was asked to play a 45 minute warm up set and I ended up playing for 2hrs.
You have now been a resident at Berlin-Brighton for over 3 years. What is it about the night that is special to you?
DJ's play bravely. You will always hear something unique and nothing samey.
Who has been your favourite artist you've seen so far and why? Do you know, I haven't really got one! I just like to be open to what I hear.
What can people expect from a typical Koipinoxia set?
Mostly a story or a journey. Creating something different that makes you feel like you can listen to anything. Being immersed in a beat that you can feel through your body, a vibration. There are points of reverence (big melodic build ups), where you can let your soul run freely full with imagination, accompanied by amazing vocals from around the world.
Where's your favourite place to just kick back and chill in Brighton? Rybka and Block.
And equally, where's your favourite place to let loose?
Which other DJs or producers are you liking right now?
Soul Button and Alex O'Rion.
What is one of your go-to labels? Steyoyoke.
You have compiled our latest Brighton Mixtapes Series Episode 013 - Tell us more about your mix
Submersive.
What else can we expect from you soon? What's next on the horizon for DJ gigs, where can people see you next?
Catch me playing on Decadance Radio every Saturday night and selected Berlin events.
Exciting stuff! It's been an absolute pleasure as always talking with you Colin.
Thank you for having me, my pleasure and an honour. Thank you Markus.
Next up here's the Quickfire Round:
Genre: Deep, Dark Progressive.
Favourite Colour: Green.
What do you put on your chips? Mayonnaise and black pepper or onion vinegar.
Apple or Android: I like them both for different reasons.
Pioneer or Denon: I like them both.
Rekordbox or Serato: Rekordbox.
Can you juggle?: Nope!
Weirdest/Coolest item of clothing: I have an oversized jumper that I like to chill in. A silk and cotton mix.
First record ever bought: Being Boiled by Human League.
Favourite place to hang out in Brighton: Rybka, Block, Bees Mouth.
Best club: Wednesday Night Club! Because it can end up anywhere! Other than that, wherever my impromptu soul takes me or where there's a Berlin event on.
Where does the best roast: Don't hate me but roasts are too bland for me!
Best place for food in Brighton: Plateau. Salt Room and VIP. That covers all moods.
Coffee or Tea: Black coffee.
Favourite drink when you're out: Straight up Cava. However, the Plotting Parlour is a great place for cocktails.
Favourite Track right now: RSRRCT- That's Right
View on Seagulls: What came first? Chips or Seagulls? They were here way longer than us!
Favourite seafood: Grilled Octopus.
Favourite word: Synergy.
3 words to describe your mix: A Journey of Reverence.
Listen to Brighton Mixtapes - Koipinoxia - 013 - Here
Tracklisting:
Monarke - Bridge Of Eternity (feat. Jessica Zese) - Steyoyoke
Monarch - Amor Fati - Steyoyoke
P Young - Who Am I (Original Mix) - Steyoyoke
Nick Devon and Grammik - Calin - Steyoyoke
Dahu and Soul Botton - Sentient - Steyoyoke
Nick Devon, Grammik - Calin - Steyoyoke
Darko Milosevic & Nick Devon - Void - Steyoyoke
Gardens Of God - Boiler - Afterlife
Monarke & Tal Fussman - Phytoncide - Steyoyoke
Ross Anschutz - Diopter (Hier Remix) - Ki Records
Ege Yank - The Place Beyond Time - Steyoyoke
Monarke Tal Fussman -Effervescence - Steyoyoke
Monarke - Rival - Steyoyoke
Ege Yank - Eclipse - Steyoyoke
Alex O'Rion - Komodo - Replug
Alex O'Rion - Marathon - Replug
Alex O'Rion - Blaze - Replug
Sebass - I Can't Believe - Family Piknik Music
Law Of Physics - Ethereal Confluence - Steyoyoke
Marbs, Rinzen & Evan Casey - Ark - Deserts Hearts Black
Emin:us - Chasing Shadows - Steyoyoke
VMTM - Be A Freak (Remixed by Oliver Winters ) - Filth On Techno
Alex Stein - Atomkraft - Senso Sounds
Alex Justin - Mergus - Steyoyoke
Anticyclone - A Dream - Infinite Depth
Enrico Sangiuliano - Functional - Basic Unit Of Life - Drumcode
#interview #brightonmixtapes #brighton #koipinoxia #melodictechno #steyoyoke