2022 is almost over and it’s a good moment to review the most important milestones of this past year full of learnings, new experiences and, of course, music.
Cody Chase shares some insight about his year and his plans for the holidays.
T.H.E – Hi, thanks for taking the time to talk to us today. 2022 is almost over, we want to know what is your most important highlight of the year, both musically and personally?
Cody Chase – Musically: I left my 6-figure a year job to DJ full time in 2023. F*ck comfort and safe when you have dreams to chase. Pun intended.
Personally: My wife and I made a baby. We are expecting baby Chase sometime in July ‘23.
T.H.E – What was your favorite release of 2022 (of your own)?
Cody Chase – I didn’t release any music in 2022, but I did spend an exorbitant amount of time in the studio. 2023 will see loads and loads of new tunes. Keep an ear out for Cody Chase Techno, Tech House, and even a little Bass House.
T.H.E – And what was your favorite track of the year from someone else?
Cody Chase – My favorite track of the year was ‘Believe’ by Eli Brown. The beats and bass line are beyond top notch, and the looping vocal remains a theme for me this year and next. “If you’ve got to believe in something, why not believe in me?”
T.H.E – Did you have any special standout shows this year either that you played or attended?
Cody Chase – Thinking back to earlier in 2022, the most special standout set was when Carl Cox debuted his live set for Ultra Miami Saturday night. The guy has been spinning records for nearly 40 years. I think that it is incredibly rare for someone who has played at the top levels for so long to step outside their comfort zone and put a new skill on display during one of the most anticipated sets of the year.
T.H.E – What was the biggest lesson you learned in life 2022?
Cody Chase – The most important question you can ask yourself at the end of every day, isn’t “Did I give today 100%?” The most important question you should ask yourself at the end of every day is “Did I move closer to my goal at the end of the day than when I started the day.” If the answer is yes, don’t be so hard on yourself. Some days you can leave it all out on the field, and some days you leave less, but as long as you’ve grown and gotten better than the start of the day, you’ve done well.
T.H.E – And following on, what was the biggest lesson you learned in music?
Cody Chase – Believe in yourself and your vision, trust it. Others will want to sway you and tell you to change the path you’re on. Be true to yourself and trust your gut, it’s probably right.
T.H.E – If you could send yourself a message to you 5 years ago, what would it be and why?
Cody Chase – Changing your life and DJing full time was this the best decision you’ve ever made.
T.H.E – How has your sound developed in 2022?
Cody Chase – 2022 was spent exploring different sounds within my favorite genres, Techno and Tech House. Ever the hunter for a nasty bassline, I went looking for new and interesting sounds in music made from producers I’ve gotten to know and love. I then absorbed my favorite elements and put them back together into my new music. I have a plethora of releases scheduled for 2023 on some major labels as well my new label launching later this year.
T.H.E – Who would you say was the most innovative artist in 2022?
Cody Chase – I think a top contender for the most innovative artist in 2022 has to be Eric Prydz, for his innovative and beautiful, lighting and visuals for his annual HOLO tour event. Every year that Prydz puts on that event, he pushes the boundaries of what stage production can look like.
Gareth Emery comes in at a close second for his impressive laser face show. Well, it doesn’t take much new technology to pull it off, it must take days and days of mapping and planning across an exorbitant amount of laser devices.
T.H.E – Which label or labels do you think where at the top of their game in 2022?
Cody Chase – Anjuna has become incredibly impressive over the last few years, with Anjunabeats, really rising as it one of the top labels of the year. Their sheer volume of output and diversity and sound make them one of the top labels of this decade. Turn left on.
T.H.E – If any, do you have any regrets for the year behind us?
I regret not leaving my job sooner. It has been long overdue for Cody Chase to chase the dream.
T.H.E – What are your plans for the holidays?
Cody Chase – I’ll be enjoying time with my family at home for the holidays. I am expecting a long and busy travel schedule in 2023 so it’s time to charge up the batteries and prepare for road warrior status.
T.H.E – Just for fun, if you had to take a classic Christmas song and remix it, what style would it be and what could we expect?
Cody Chase – ‘Let It Snow’ by Dean Martin but as a dark and dirty Tech House track, where just like the vocals, a call and answer back with the lead and bassline. Even though the song lyrics may not have aged well, it’s still a classic that makes me think of hot chocolate and decorated evergreens.
T.H.E – Where will you be spending New Year’s Eve?
Cody Chase – Miami with the legendary Carl Cox and the homie (fellow jersey guy) Avision on the 30th. Then I’ll be with family for actual new year’s.
T.H.E – If you had to put 2022 into one sentence, what would it be?
Cody Chase – 2022 was the year of preparation and planning, lots of studio time, production planning and vision mapping. 2023 should be the year of the Chase.