At Point Blank, it isn’t just our expert instructors who are active music industry professionals. A&R / Content Executive Carly Hordern has been producing music and DJing under the moniker Carly Foxx for the last 7 years, with releases on Danse Club records as well as playing top venues and events including Warehouse Project, Festival No. 6, Wilderness and Sankeys. Having worked as a music supervisor for 4 years before joining us at Point Blank, Carly has achieved 360-degree success in the music industry. She continues to release music and DJ regularly as well as balancing a full-time career with Point Blank using her A&R and Content-focused skills. Carly is going to be taking over the Point Blank Instagram for the next week. You can keep up with her on her Facebook and Soundcloud pages and download her latest track, ‘Call My Name‘, on Beatport.
What is your role at Point Blank?
Lucky for me, I have a super fun & diverse role, splitting my time between producing and presenting video content for our YouTube channel, artist liaison & A&R.
How do you find new music for DJ’ing and also for finding the next new talent as part of your role at Point Blank?
By very consistently listening to new music via promos, blogs, tastemaker playlists, film & tv soundtracks and trawling through Soundcloud. Specialist radio shows are great, although I rarely find the time to listen to radio shows. Just talking to other people in music is another way to discover new music.
What makes a track stand out for you?
Melody or melodic elements, unusual sounds, layers and production elements, quirky vocals, timeless song writing.
What have been the highlights so far of your time at Point Blank?
There’s been a few! Interviewing DVS1 at IMS Ibiza was a highlight. I’m a big fan and he’s an absolute legend. He has such a great energy which I found really inspiring. Travelling to India for ADE in Mumbai was pretty special too! We’re launching a new record label soon which I have been A&Ring for. This has been an amazing process and I’ve learnt so much already. Our first release is by an incredible artist called Amani. We had a great connection from day one and laugh an awful lot. I’ve loved working with her and her producer David.
Do you have a background in music? What did you grow up listening to?
I grew up playing the guitar and learning music at school, although I’ve forgotten most of the theory! My mum played the drums and had a pretty impressive record collection, so I grew up listening to a lot of music which was influenced by her. The Doors, AC/DC, Fleetwood Mac, Rolling Stones, The B52s, Sonny & Cher, Elton John, Moby and lots of Australian folk and rock music. When I was 17 I started raving, discovered dance music; listening to Metro Area, Tiefschwarz, Tiga etc. When I moved to London I started listening to disco and deeper US styles of house and Detroit techno; styles which are prevalent in my DJ sets.
What made you want to move to London?
Nothing in particular – my best friend and I were really young and looking for an adventure! I knew I wouldn’t be going home even before I had left. I just knew I would love it!
How does the music scene in London compare to that in Sydney?
There’s some great music that comes out of Australia but, very sadly, Sydney doesn’t have much of nightlife scene anymore. There are a few awesome parties like Mad Racket and Sash which have been around a long time now but due to Sydney’s lock out laws and general nanny state mentality, they’re few and far between. What’s special about London is how diverse and multicultural this city is. There are very few cities in the world which come close to it. You can go out and listen to so many different types of music, every night of the week and meet people from all over the world and from so many different walks of life.
Who are your musical icons/influences?
In dance music, definitely Nina Kraviz. I love how utterly original she is. The music she makes is pretty simple in terms of production but what makes it so special is the raw emotion you hear; something which I feel is often lacking in dance music.
What new music do you like? Who are you listening to right now?
Peggy Gou, Kevin Morby, Park Hotel and Ninasonik. God Colony blow my mind – if you haven’t already, check them out.
How did you get into the music industry?
I left school came to London and worked as a nanny for 7 years and during this time I started to DJ. I never really thought about working in the music industry because it never felt like an option. I had only worked with kids; I had no contacts and no experience – just a good ear for music. A friend of mine suggested I go for a job at the music company of a friend of hers. I had no idea what I was doing but managed to get the job and worked for 4 years as a music supervisor, placing music on TV commercials. I left there and started at Point Blank in January this year.
What advice would you give to up and coming producers/DJs
You have to work hard, be consistent and be very patient. I think having a good, positive attitude goes a long way. People want to work with other people who have a good vibe and energy about them. Get out from behind the computer; meet people, work with other people and gain as much industry experience as you can. It’s the people that you meet in real life that are going to help you along the way.
How do you balance working full time and DJing/producing?
By being pretty sensible and making sacrifices. I don’t drink much, I do yoga three times a week and I dedicate most of my time outside of PB to my own music. It’s just about being committed and prioritising work over other things, which is easy for me because I love what I do.
What have been the highlights of your DJ and production career?
My first ever release on Danse Club records, which included a remix from DJ T, was a big highlight. A first release is always exciting! Playing at Joris Voorn’s ANTS party at Warehouse Project last year was definitely a big one as a DJ.
What has been your most embarrassing DJ experience?
There are many to choose from! DJing at a dog show probably wasn’t my finest moment. The brief was 4 hours of music, playing only songs with lyrics about dogs. I’ve also played at a bird show. Lols!
Are you working on any upcoming projects?
I have a forthcoming EP on Fred P’s new vinyl imprint, Private Society, which will include a classic Fred P reshape. This is the most incredible thing for me. I’ve been buying Fred’s records for years, so to be released on his label is such an honour!
Where can we catch your next set?
On the Point Stage @ Boardmasters!
Carly is going to be taking over the Point Blank Instagram for the next week. Follow her on Facebook and Soundcloud.
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** Editors note: Things have moved on significantly since this article was published 🙂 Please head to our blog homepage for the very latest updates from Point Blank.