Adelaide's international DJ Bold

by Cyclone Wehner

It's perhaps a sad indictment on the Australian music industry that Adelaide's DJ Bold, aka Charles Pettit, is better recognised abroad than in his homeland. A while ago Pettit launched his own techno label, Vast Recordings, then headed to Europe to line up vinyl pressings and establish distribution deals. However, Bold's expedition lasted longer than even he had anticipated. He spent time in both Berlin and Chicago, befriending the likes of ghetto house superstar DJ Rush along the way. On the international front, Bold has DJed in respected underground clubs and at massive raves alike with Berlin's Love Parade a highlight. Bold's releases have received auspicious coverage in the UK media ("Jockey Slut", "Muzik"). And the Wizard of Techno, Jeff Mills himself, has played his tech beats. But now Bold is determined to make a name for himself back in Australia.

How have you been influenced by HMC?

When I was first interested in dancefloors he was playing all night sets at the old Metro club. He brought music from all over the world to my attention and he really knew how to mix, blend and edit a set together. I used to watch the mixing and try to figure out what was going on, 'cause it was all so smooth. He was the first DJ I heard playing techno and house music - especially the stuff he was playing from the USA. That really influenced the music direction I took.

You have built up a lot of credibility overseas. Why did you decide to come back home and base yourself in Adelaide again?

Adelaide is my home and I will always treat it that way -- no matter what happens. My family and close friends are all here. But I want to get around Australia a bit more 'cause I have not really played outside of Adelaide that much (in Australia). I will be going overseas for DJ tours every three or four months, though. I can't wait to get back to Chicago and chill there. There is something about that city. Belgium is on it more than anywhere else I have played. People come from all over Europe to party in Belgium and it is sick!

What did you learn from your exchanges with Chi-town's DJ Rush?

He showed me how to beat mix without ever actually touching the record, just using the pitch control instead of your fingers. He is one of the few DJs out there who has really mastered mixing. All you mix masters out there should try to do this! I am still trying. He produced an EP for Vast as well ("Vast 006 -- Dangerzone"), which was great.

How has your music evolved since you started making it?

Since I came home I have been making all kinds of music -- mainly funky techno, though, I guess. When I first started making tracks I had a very limited studio set-up -- and you can hear that I had just bought a 303! Now I focus a lot more on production and the interactions of sound. I have even been making some house and beat tracks. But everyone reckons I have more of that Chicago rhythm in my tracks now. It is good to travel, 'cause you tend to get influences from all over the place.

Who are the DJs and producers leading the way for techno in the New Millennium?

HMC is always going to be top of the list here. While overseas the guy that blew me away the most was Rush. But check out DJ Rolando (of Underground Resistance), 'cause he is the baddest trick DJ out there. Dudes like Voiteck, Paddee, Tokyo3, Cycloids, DCE and Dave Boweman are really pushing the limits on productions here in Australia. I always look out for DJ Shufflemaster from Tokyo and Clemens Neufeld from Vienna.

How do you feel about having the likes of Jeff Mills, Laurent Garnier and Carl Cox playing your records? (Especially since Mills spins very few records other than his own.)

Yeah, that is really great, hey! In Berlin I got a phone call from a friend who was shouting at me, 'Come over and listen to this tape -- you have to come over now and hear it!' I was like, 'Why, what's going on? And she was saying, 'Mills is playing your record everywhere -- he even put it on a live mix in Koln.' Whatever -- it looks good on your bio. He has made some good records and I have total respect for him, but the whole 'Jeff Mills is god' thing bores the hell out of me. But it is satisfying that they like your stuff all the same. It is really good for the label when these guys are spinning your records, 'cause so many people check out what they play and then go and buy all the records.

What projects are you currently working on?

I have just finished doing a track for HMC's label, Data Music. The track is called "Every Beat" and I think it is probably the best one I have done yet! He is going to do a remix for the B-side and I am really excited about this release. I have a few releases coming out through (Rush's label) Kne' Deep, High Octane and Dust Traxx in Chicago and a new project called "Arythmatek" with DJ 3Jane, who is also from Adelaide. Apart from that, more releases on Vast and, hopefully, Truck Musik in Melbourne.

What releases have you got coming up?

An EP called "Trauma" on Kne' Deep and "Crisis At Wentworth", Vast 011, should be out in January 2000. Vast 009 is by Tokyo 3, a producer in Adelaide who is on it, and Vast 010 by HMC, coming out in December, is definitely a milestone for the label.

Where will you be on New Year's Eve?

At the moment I am still unsure. I think I will be playing in Adelaide with HMC, Gene Farris, Gemini, Cycloids, DCE and Bundi. But make me an offer, 'cause I am always interested. The whole New Year's thing is a bit overrated.