Cosmic Caz is a British DJ and music producer known for their passion for electronic dance music hailing from Brighton and London. They are a multidisciplinary artist who creates otherworldly and euphoric audio and visual experiences through their skills in producing, performing, and DJing.

Cosmic Caz is a popular performer in the London queer rave scene, and their audio spells are renowned for their fast techno beats, industrial sounds, and hardcore rave elements, blended with hypnotic trance melodies, acid atmospheres, and psychedelic vibrations. Their music is a combination of hard-hitting and ethereal sounds, creating a unique and mesmerizing sonic journey for listeners.

Through their performances, Cosmic Caz transports audiences to a magical and euphoric realm beyond our reality, encouraging self-expression and allowing for cathartic liberation. Their sets offer a transcendent experience, breaking down boundaries and allowing for complete immersion in the music.

In an interview with Coeval below, Caz details their relationship with music, lets us in on the creative force that beholds them and gives us the low-down on all the latest music releases.

Explain your relationship with music, did you have many musical influences in your childhood?

My relationship with music is like my soul's form of self-expression, to communicate emotions and experiences, a journey of self-discovery, make sense of the world and connect with others beyond human language. It’s been quite important to me to have a musical outlet growing up, as someone who is autistic and found social communication challenging. During childhood, I learnt to play the piano which was my first outlet for musical expression. From my late teens onwards, I started to discover many more music genres, particularly in electronic music, which inspired me to start producing and experimenting with synthesisers and samplers. When I was living in Brighton, the music scene there really influenced my taste, from psychedelic rock to avant-garde electronica, I played in a couple of bands before starting my solo journey. My musical style initially started off more experimental and art-pop, but even as my taste evolved it's always been quite otherworldly and euphoric. This still resonates with my style today with techno and trance music which has evolved in this direction since moving back to London and becoming very immersed in the queer techno parties.

Where do you draw most of your creative force from?

I draw my creative force from the world around me, my queer family and community, who have been very inspiring and supportive on this journey. I’m also very inspired by the energy and atmosphere of the dancefloor. Creating a shared experience and connection through music is a powerful motivator for me, and it drives me to continually push the boundaries of creativity.
I also spend a lot of time alone in my studio, it’s like being in a spaceship, an escape from reality and provides a sense of detachment from the outside world. It's a space where I can really focus and allow my imagination and creative energy to transcend.

How would you describe yourself as an artist?

A multidimensional and multifaceted alchemist. A creature crafting otherworldly and euphoric magic through creating, producing, DJing, performing and curating, taking inspiration from witchcraft, sci-fi, fantasy, identity, and post-human ideas. My audio alchemy is energetic, yet emotive, encompassing invigorating beats layered with dreamy melodies and celestial soundscapes. I am inspired by the magic of music and art to create sentimental, mesmerizing experiences beyond this reality, transcend boundaries of self-expression, and bring together a shared cathartic and transformative ritual.

I read you are London-based, do you think this has an impact on the sound you create and does it make it easier to connect with your audience?

I would say yes and no, I do absorb a lot of the music around me as I’m quite immersed in the London scene, but I also take in a lot of inspiration from endlessly discovering music through digital portals. Every set I play is like a collaboration between myself and the audience, so the environment always influences the set, however, I always maintain authenticity to my taste and sonic expression. I think my particular sound might be considered quite a niche in London so it might not always be what the audience is used to, but perhaps having a distinct sound allows a more genuine and meaningful connection as audiences can appreciate something unique and authentic.

You are frequently playing in the London queer rave scene, from your perspective why are the raving communities important for music and the future of music?

Queer-raving communities are important for music because they provide a safer space for queer individuals to come together, and embrace expression, exploration and sexual freedom. This environment allows for greater diversity and for different types of music to thrive, which can push the boundaries of what is considered mainstream music and encourages more experimentation and innovation. It’s also significant for the future of music because it offers a vision of what music culture can look like when it is driven by passion and community rather than commercialisation and marketability. This focus on inclusivity, creativity, and self-expression, shows us that there are alternative ways to approach music that is more authentic and fulfilling. It’s also important in providing a platform for marginalised, emerging artists to gain exposure and grow a community where they might not otherwise break into more traditional music scenes as easily as these tend to still be white, cis-hetero-dominated.

Name some of your most cherished moments as an artist so far.

There are so many moments I hold a lot of gratitude for, performing is always a sentimental experience, it's pure magic to be able to engage and connect with an audience through casting audio spells. Some of my favourites include playing at UNFOLD, where you can really immerse in the energy on the dancefloor playing in the middle of the room and be surrounded by your London community. I also really cherish being invited to new cities internationally and connecting with new communities. Touring the US last summer was very special, felt so welcomed in places I had not been to before. I had a really magical time playing at this queer forest party in Oakland, was so enchanting to play within the depths of these ancient grand forest trees. I also have a lot of gratitude every time people express their appreciation for what I’m doing and my music has resonated with them in some way. It’s incredibly fulfilling and really inspires me to keep doing what I’m doing.

On the flip side what have been some challenges, and how did you overcome them?

I think in the beginning starting out as an artist was quite challenging, you don't have a lot of representation within the mainstream, especially as someone who is neurodivergent, trans-non-binary and POC which can make it difficult to feel like you belong in some spaces. But finding supportive communities which are inclusive and diverse has been really important to help grow and build a sense of connection and belonging.
It can be challenging as well as an independent artist during slower periods when you're not playing as often and not releasing music. It can really impact your motivation and your well-being. But I’ve had to learn to trust the process because my craft is a part of my being, I feel like there are no alternatives. It can help to empower yourself with affirmations, create manifestations, take inspiration in different forms and places, and surround yourself with supportive people. And by supporting others too, the energy you give is the energy you receive back so trust that the universe will provide it back to you in time.

How do you see your music and artistry developing over the next few years?

Sonically, I don't feel very bound to the genre and will continue to experiment with new sounds, techniques, and hardware to evolve creatively. I also see my artistry expanding through more collaborations and multi-disciplinaries, not limited to only music. I am quite interested in exploring technology and web3 for creative projects that can facilitate moving towards a more decentralised creative industry which can empower emerging artists. I am also keen to delve into technology such as extended reality and use these tools to engage music within a more immersive experience to connect with audiences in new and exciting ways, pushing the boundaries of what is possible in the world of music and art.

And finally, is there anything you have coming up that we should keep our eyes and ears open for?

I have quite a few exciting gigs coming up, particularly looking forward to my European festival debut at Masters of Puppets festival this summer, will be such a magical experience to play in the Czech Republic forests! I will also be finally releasing new tracks this year so I’m really looking forward to sharing these spells. I am also working on world-building AETHERA, an immersive, multidisciplinary art and rave event platform currently residing at ArtSect Gallery. I’m really excited about this project, bringing together multidimensional experiences and sonic journeys, intersecting arts, music and technology both IRL and in the metaverse. I’m looking forward to growing the platform and working with many exciting and upcoming artists to create this immersive, interactive alternate reality and cultivate an inclusive and diverse community.