Interview: DJ CBX
by phelyne
photos courtesy of DJ CBX
Dj CBX, out of California, runs the record label LA Abstract. He has been
independently running it for a while now. This guy has a first hand
perspective of what its like to be a musician and business owner in today's
economy. Good music is hard to come by, thus inspiring people to make change
to accommodate that craving for good tunes. Here is a guy who has decided to
dive in, take a risk and start a label, in the name of the music. Not a easy
thing to do, but worth the effort. This is how he sees things.
So, tell me how you got
involved in the music industry?
Well, it started about a year ago. I was
getting kind of sick of a lot of the crap that was coming
out in the D&B scene. So I decided to do something about
it. That's when I started La Abstract to promote the sound
I enjoyed.
Take me back a little farther.
Tell me about what your influences in music have been before
you discovered electronic music.
Well, basically, I used to be into metal when
I was younger. Back in high school I was a lead singer in a
metal band called Detox. But after that fell through, I started
making Hard Techno. I did that for about, I would have to
say, 2 years. Then I moved onto hardcore, back in 1998. I
found it rather limited because there is only so much you
can do from a production stand point. That's when I started
really getting into D&B (drum and bass). I remember the
first song that hooked me was Noise Check by Capital J. So
that's really what got me into the scene.
Okay. So you started up
L.A. Abstract. What were your immediate goals with it?
Wow! That's a tough one. Let me see. I just
wanted to bring that hard hitting sound that I fell in love
with coming into the D&B scene to the masses. That was
the ultimate goal. But in a financial aspect, I was hoping
to make money, but that idea quickly faded. When I come to
think about it, a lot has changed from when I started the
company.
So would you say that you
are still doing it because you love it and it's not all about
the money, even though it takes money to keep the art alive?
Definitely. Here is a word from the wise;
People. If you want to make money start up a boy band label
or a metal label or even a polka label. There are only a few
people actually making money in the scene and even then it's
not enough. But ya, I have put way to much money into this
company. But you know. Live and Learn. I know I'm getting
wiser with my business ventures. But it's my passion. It's
a very expensive passion, but still what I love to do.
Would you see yourself still
doing it several years down the road from now, if the money
wasn't a factor?
Well I don't care if money is a factor. I
will still be doing this. It's what I love to do. There is
nothing short of a bullet or maybe a heavy car that can stop
me. I see myself producing D&B when I'm 80, have a grand
child in one arm, and a 40z in the other. D&B 4 LIFE!!!!!
I'd love to still be rocking out to jungle
when I'm 80, as well. Sounds like a grand old time. Thanks
for the interview, Dj CBX. For more information about Dj CBX
or La Abstract, please visit LAAbstract.com.