Thank you so much for taking the time to do this interview with us! It's a pleasure talking to you! How are you?

Thanks for having me! Just finished a really productive day in the studio, have been working on my next single. I’m a little tired but apart from that, very well.

First things first, what made you decide on the name 'Daxson'?

Back in 2016 when I sent the demo ‘Skygarden’ to Markus Schulz he loved it. He had the idea to start something fresh and exclusive for Coldharbour that we could grow on the label. It was a pretty tough decision at the time for me. I was torn between using an anagram of my name or something related to where my studio is based, Bexley Square. In the end I decided on Daxson which is a mixture of both. Although everyone seems to forget the ‘S’. I’m having to remind people quite often it’s Daxson and not Daxon haha! If everyone could remember that, it would be great!

How has your music progressed over the years from your work as Dan Dobson to now, as Daxson?

I would say it’s definitely more club friendly now, which is probably down to the production getting tighter over the years. I think with the Dan Dobson tracks I was always solely focused on the melody, which I still am today with Daxson, however I wouldn’t spend as much time on the groove. I've learned this is also really important and is something I can spend days working on for each track. 

'Culture Shock' has been getting a lot of attention since its world premiere at Ultra Music Festival in March, even hitting the Beatport trance charts in a day. What are your thoughts on the success of this track?

Culture Shock has been a big one for me. It’s rewarding when you spend so much time and put a lot of effort into a track to see it well received. Really grateful for the support from Markus in his live sets and on #GDJB. Equally thankful for all the nice messages & comments I’m still receiving about this one.

Amazing track, by the way! What was your reasoning behind the title 'Culture Shock'?

Thanks! The name comes from a recent trip to Japan. I was blown away by the culture in Tokyo, it totally took me by surprise how the way of life over there was so different to what I’m used to in Manchester. Also the sheer size of the place and hustle & bustle in rush hour was nothing like I'd seen. So it was a little bit of a Culture Shock so to say. ‘Culture Shock’ was the first track that I worked on when I returned from the trip and I had the name stuck in my head.

Who are some of your biggest inspirations or role models that influenced you most to become a DJ/producer?

Markus Schulz and the music released on Coldharbour over the years for sure. Giuseppe Ottaviani, an absolute musical genius in my opinion. Orjan Nilsen as well.

Is there anyone you hope to collaborate with someday?

Again, Markus Schulz, Giuseppe Ottaviani, Orjan Nilsen & Enrico Sangiuliano. I’m sure if I was to spend a day in the studio with any of these guys I would probably learn more than what I have in the last 10 years.

You signed on with Schulz Music Group back in 2017. How did that relationship come about?

The relationship came about off the back of Skygarden doing so well, Markus was opening his shows with it for pretty much a whole year. I had just finished my track Persona too which was another big one and at the time SMG were looking to expand their bookings roster with more Trance names.

I was in awe of your mashup, Push and Dan Thompson vs. Motorcycle "As the Strange World Comes". Those are some of my favorite tracks from back in the day. What inspired you to do this mashup?

Mine too, thank you! It’s great to hear. I actually made this one back in 2017 for my debut at Creamfields. I was messing around on the decks in the studio and noticed these two were in the same key and just worked perfectly together. So I jumped on the laptop and got to work on the mashup. I held on to it as an exclusive for my sets for a couple years but recently decided to give it away for free on my Soundcloud.

When you're creating tracks, where do you usually gather your inspiration from?

I’ve found inspiration can come from anywhere and at any time, sometimes ideas just pop into my head or even hearing a certain sample can trigger ideas. Other times when I’m working on one track I’ll write a counter melody that doesn't really fit and ends up being a new track altogether. A lot of the time I just go with what I feel is right, but when im drawing a blank I will listen to older tracks by Sander van Doorn, Skytech & Orjan Nilsen etc for inspiration. I’m a massive techno fan too, especially Enrico Sangiuliano, his productions and sound design are on another level. I’ve not yet released anything that techy under my own name but would like to when the time is right.

What are some things you most enjoy about doing what you do? What is something you least enjoy?

Getting the chance to play my music at some amazing events & festivals and seeing months of work come together to create magic on the dancefloor. One thing I really dislike is the social media side of things. I find it so time consuming, especially after a long day in the studio, most of the time it’s the last thing I want to do.

What is your most memorable moment you've experienced while performing?

Last year at my 4 hour set in Prague was pretty funny. It was an extremely intense & intimate gig with a really up for it crowd. They were loving everything I was playing and going crazy. The crowd were so close to the decks, literally right up to my face. One of my USB’s got bent in the CDJ from someone leaning over the booth, thankfully there was no music playing off that one at the time. Later into the set someone else came over the booth and knocked the track into a short loop. I remember at one point there was a guy and girl, right in front of me, who were enjoying each other a little bit too much… It was difficult to concentrate on the set haha!!
Still one of my favourite sets. Hope to return there for more craziness soon.

Besides the Coloursfest in Glasgow on the 3rd of August, do you have any other big shows and/or releases planned for 2019?

Yeah a lot of new music still to come, including some exclusives on Nifra’s ‘Follow Me’ compilation, my remix for Markus Schulz & Adina Butar, a remix on Pure Trance as well as more Daxson originals. If you want a taste of what's to come check out my guestmix on #GDJB. Excited to be back at Creamfields for the 3rd year in a row. This year I’m playing in the Pepsi Max Arena which is a first for me. Also playing at Blueprint in Manchester on the 10th of August and continuing with my residency at Rong Events.

If there is one thing about you that you would want to stand out most to your fans, what would that be?

Haha, well just remember that it’s Daxson and not Daxon, don’t forget the ‘S’ ;)

Thank you again for taking the time to talk with us. We look forward to seeing what the future has in store for you. Is there anything you'd like to say to your fans before we go?

Thanks for following my music and all the support, I’m working on lots of new music every day and really cannot wait to share it all with you! If you want to see me play in your city then make sure to let promoters know that you want to see me play and maybe we can make it happen.