Mitchell Claxton

Six years after beginning in the Canadian EDM scene, Mitchell Claxton has made a splash in his native province of Alberta. His reputation of infusing hard-hitting trance with techno and hardstyle, along with other facets of EDM, has spread like wildfire in North America. His exclusive style has left individuals and packed dance-floors wanting more and his unique productions have been in heavy rotation with of some of the world’s top trance artists. With many eyes and ears keenly upon him, Mitchell Claxton is definitely a rising star in this industry and one to look out for.

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I discovered trance music as a teenager, after 15-years of general discontent with all music. It opened my eyes and changed my life and has gotten me through hard times. As a trance DJ, all I hope is to show people the beauty of trance music, and hope it inspires them the way it has inspired me. My love for trance has taken me from arranging stock audio clips in Cool Edit Pro and mixing on low-drive vinyl turntables, to charting on Beatport’s trance chart and playing one of the largest festival in the world, Electric Daisy Carnival. All because a vulnerable teenager found himself in beautiful music.

 

Interview

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Home Town: Calgary, Canada
Currently Living: Calgary, Canada
Origin Of Name: Real name, wanted people to know who was producing the music and delivering it on the spinning platters
Weapon of Choice: Massive and Sylenth for production. Any Mental Asylum or Neelix tune for DJing.
Source of Power: Any song with emotion driving it. Sad, happy or even evil.

What do your parents think of what you are doing?
I feel as if they don’t understand how I can be doing this on the scale that I have (albeit a relatively minor one), but they are supportive because they can see that I love doing it, and I’m making it happen.

Do you have any memorable moments from past EDC’s or any other Insomniac party?
Walking into EDC in 2012, having never step foot into a festival on that scale before, was incredible.

What is your ultimate career dream?
I used to dream of being an actor. To take part in a masterpiece film or an adaptation of something I love. As for music…to maybe one day score films like Hans Zimmer or Howard Shore.

Are you impulsive with your work or do you have a sketch in mind before you start?
Typically, I am very impulsive in the studio. I like to do different things while remaining true to a kind of sound. Though sometimes I know exactly how I’m going to approach a track. Each brings different results!

What’s the most important piece of gear in your studio?
Obviously my computer, though I must say Massive and Sylenth have been essential. I love my studio and my MIDI keyboard as well. They have treated me well over the years. They all go hand in hand.

If we pressed Shuffle on your iPod while you went to the bathroom, what would you be embarrassed to come back to us listening to?
I love R&B, so you may find Mariah Carey or Toni Braxton…but Toni Braxton is high quality through and through, so no shame there, haha.

What are your weaknesses?
I’m a very lazy person, sometimes I will go three months without going into the studio and trying something. It’s probably my worst vice.

What do you remember about your first DJ gig?
It was at this small club called Soda here in Calgary. I was so nervous. I got on the decks, put my first two CDS in and mixed them well enough…but then I couldn’t find the eject button on the 1000’s! I kept trying to wave to my friend on the other side of the club to help. But I ended up finding it and the rest of the show went smoothly.

What advice would you offer someone thinking about entering the Discovery Project competition?
Stay true to your own sound. Trends will only go so far. Your job is to show people why you spin what you spin and make what you make. Stand out. Don’t be a sheep.

Winning Mix:

 

 

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