With a hard-hitting and energetic sound and performance style, Cody Chase is set to conquer dancefloors everywhere.
Having performed at top festivals like Ultra Miami, Chase is ready to showcase his Techno and Tech House sound that is certainly unparalleled.
While he’s ready to welcome the new year with powerful releases and even more exciting performances, we invited Cody Chase to introduce himself, talk about his background, influences and hopes for the near future.
Hi Cody Chase, how are things going?
Hey CULTR, life is great! There are a ton of big and exciting changes coming in life. I recently installed a CEO in my business so that I can focus on DJing full time. I have built a great team around me and expect to do big things in 2023 and beyond. And most exciting, my wife and I are pregnant and we’re expecting a baby Chase sometime in July 2023 [but don’t tell anyone yet ;)]
Can you tell us more about yourself? where are you from, what do you do?
My name is Cody Chase. I am 32 years old. And I am the best DJ you’ve never heard of. But if my team and I have anything to say about it, it won’t be that way for too much longer.
I grew up 25 minutes outside of New York City, in New Jersey. My sound and vibe definitely have major influences from the house scene in New York during the early 2010s where I cut my teeth in clubs like Pacha and Webster Hall.
In 2014, I played Ultra Music Fest in Miami. After an unfortunate business dealing with former representation, the music industry had put a bad taste in my mouth. So I took a hiatus from music and took an opportunity to move to Aspen, Co and help build a cannabis company. The second day in Colorado, a business partner and I came up with the idea to sell the canna-industry cases to hold and carry joints (much like a pack of cigarettes). 6 years later PAQcase.com is crushing the game. We have sold over 5 million JPAQs into 25+ countries.
How were you first introduced to music? How did you know this is what you wanted to do?
I come from family of musicians. My grandfather led a band that played weddings and bar mitzvahs for 40 years in the NJ/NY area. My father was a professional drummer in his youth. So you could say that music is in my blood. As a kid, my Dad would listen to 60s, 70s and 80s rock & roll in the car and I very much grew up on bands like Led Zeppelin, The Rolling Stones, and The Who.
I was 13 when an older cousin introduced me to Benny Benassi’s ‘Hypnotica’. It was at that moment that I knew I was going to love house music.
My first experience with live house music was during my first year of university when I went to go see Benny Benassi at Beta in Denver, Co. It was there I first discovered the raw power, emotion, and energy the music (and the DJ playing it) had over the crowd. There was a moment of bliss while on the dance floor that I knew I had found my calling. 14 years later, I am still chasing that dream.
Who are your biggest musical influences?
I may be a weird DJ, but I try and avoid listening to house music so that my ear remains uninfluenced by others. When I go to playlist for making mixes, I want to discover new music on my own. There is no feeling like hearing a banger for the first time. Like everyone I play for, I try not to spoil that for myself either!
With that said, I have a few favorite DJs to listen too. Adam Beyer, Cirez D (Eric Prydz techno persona) and Jamie Jones are some of my favorites. I think the most technically talented DJ in the game right now is James Hype. I haven’t found many DJs that can perform those tricks live, night in and night out.
My number 1 DJ is the legendary Carl Cox. I have been listening to him play for the better part of 15 years. His talent and ear are only bested by his longevity in the industry.
How would you describe your sound?
There are 2 main sounds that I like to play. When I’m getting a set started I like to play funky deep groovy basslines found in Tech House and Bass House.
When it gets into peak set time, I like to play what I call battle Techno or freight train Techno. It’s a hard hitting bass heavy Techno that just takes you away and lets you live in the moment. And once you’re on the train you can’t get off. Carpe Diem!
What would you say is your biggest achievement so far?
Playing at Ultra for that many people is definitely up there. Funny story, I was so nervous before getting on stage I hurled 3 times. Thank goodness for the vitamins T, H, and C that calmed both my nerves and my stomach.
Which track from your releases would you suggest someone listen to first?
The last album I put out was in 2014 and those tracks have aged about as well as milk. However, I have a pretty extraordinary release schedule for 2023 where I will be dropping a ton of new music in the Techno, Tech House and Bass House Genres.
Which city or venue would you like to perform at in the future?
It’s funny that you ask. I keep a list above my deck of all of the venues I want to play one day. You have to constantly visualize your goals if you want to achieve them, right? A few notable places on that list include The Mirage in Brooklyn, Space in Miami, Red Rocks in Denver, Print Works, Fabric & Ministry of Sound in London, Green Valley in Brazil, and Hi Ibiza, DC10, and Ushuaïa in Ibiza. As for the festival scene I would love to play Burning Man, Ultra Miami, EDC Vegas, Tomorrowland, Electric Zoo, and Music On.
Can you tell us a fun fact about yourself?
In the car I usually listen to spoken radio like Joe [Rogan Experience Podcast], Howard [Stern], Diplo on SiriusXM (great station!) or the news.
What’s coming up for Cody Chase?
I have a new weekly radio show called The Chase where I’ll actually do the DJing on 4 CDJs instead of just plopping tracks into Ableton. I will also stream many of these with a VJ on YouTube as well! More on Youtube I plan to do a series of VLOGs with my wife when we are out and about traveling and doing fun stuff. I may even stream some of my studio and playlisting sessions so that my fans can be there when the magic gets made! I have a bunch of new music that I’m releasing on a bunch of dope labels, but for now we can’t talk about that yet.
Cody Chase Online
