Mixing the mix

Sydney DJ royalty, Alex Taylor, is hitting Brisbane as part of Big Gay Day. Anthony Smith chats to him about being on the headliner list...

Alex Taylor is a name to be reckoned with when it comes to the Australian DJ community. Standing firmly at the forefront of Australia’s dance music industry for well over a decade, Taylor has earned himself headline slots at events like Parklife, Home Bake, Daywash and parties internationally as well as regular residencies in some of Australia’s best clubs and venues.

Taylor tells me his love of dance music was what all started it all. “Before becoming a DJ, I used to buy a lot of dance music and make unmixed ‘mix tapes’ for friends until one day I was asked if I'd be interested in being a back-up DJ at a club where the resident DJ taught me how to actually DJ, as I had never done it before. After a good year of watching, learning and listening, I was ready to have a go — the rest is history.”

The rest may be history, but the present is very busy for DJ Alex Taylor. He’s got Big Gay Day, Mardi Gras Harbour Party, Top, DILF and Finale all lined up in the next month. “It’s a busy time and always lots of fun,” Taylor tells me. “I also produce under the name Taylor Square and we have a single due for release on Pacha Recordings in March called ‘Run Away With You’ featuring vocals from the one and only Peyton.”

The gay scene has evolved and changed a lot in ten years and Taylor believes that’s part of the beauty. “That’s the great thing about our scene, it always needs to keep moving and evolving. The gay scene is so much better locally and globally now. Dance music is mainstream and the younger gay generation can party with their straight friends at festivals, etc, and be accepted much more than say ten or fifteen years ago. It's still important, though, that we embrace each others’ differences and keep an open mind, search out different types of music, develop your own style.”

With Big Gay Day just around the corner, Taylor tells me he’s excited to play on the main stage at the event: “Brisbane crowds are some of the most fun and rocking in Australia – there's always such a great vibe in Brisbane and you guys have a very young and vibrant scene… maybe the great weather has something to do with it, but Brisbane people seem pretty happy.”

Alex Taylor plays main stage at Big Gay Day on March 10. ‘Run Away With You’ will be available on Pacha Recordings.