AJAX [19:09:07]
ICE BUCKETS ALL ROUND

For the first three years of the inthemix50 DJ poll Kid Kenobi ruled the land, securing back-to-back victories. With Bang Gang DJs and the rise of electro at his back, Ajax has now stepped up to claim top honours in the national contests. The Sydneysider recently scoring his second successive victory.

“It was good, but I wasn't expecting it cause I've been overseas so much this year. And I thought I hadn't been in the public's eye as much because I have been concentrating on my production and working towards the release of my new EP. I'm not DJing as much, but I guess it's the quality of gigs I'm getting at the moment. I also think the Bang Gang influence had a great bearing on my placing, because the Bang Gang DJs got ranked number eight. So I kinda win on two fronts really.”

The cut and paste DJ says he never campaigned for votes this year, preferring to let his reputation do the talking. “I never ask people to vote for me because even though I have a big ego I wouldn't do that. I never even put an inthemix link up on my Myspace site.

“It will be interesting to see how I poll next year considering how much international touring I will be doing. But you never know, maybe my international profile might rise and I may get votes that way. It'd be good to crack the top 100 in the international voting though.”

With two titles under his belt, Ajax says upon reflection the 2006 victory holds just a little more meaning.

“I think last year was really great because I had been DJing for a long time. And last year I wasn't expecting the win. I had no idea at all. This year I'd already been number one so it was a matter of retaining it or dropping down. So last year was a far more special moment for me. As far as the ego thing, even when I accepted the award this year I was a lot more humble than I was last year. Last year I made a bit of a joke about it and had a bit of a gag. Whereas this year I was more humble and gave more of a genuine speech. Because I think winning it for a second time I might come under attack from certain people because now they're bored with me because I've won it twice in a row. I'm sure a lot of people would like to see someone else win it. Because it's basically only been Kid Kenobi and myself who have won it.”

When it comes to the perks of being Australia's number one DJ, Ajax doesn't shy away from the freebies.

“I get free phones and lots of free records, free promo stuff. It has changed quite a lot. Like say two years ago when I was DJing, even a year ago, when I played at a party I might get a couple of drink cards thrown my way. But it has been quite interesting over the last year, and not that I asked for it but it's fucking great, I get a bottle of champagne in a ice cooler or I might get a six-pack of imported beer. So everywhere I play now I get a rider. Look I won't lie and say it's not nice because it is nice. But it's one of those things that if I wasn't number one I would hope I'd still get the ice bucket.”

While he can affix two-time Australian number one DJ to his resume, Ajax isn't getting carried away with the success. Especially when it comes to the commerce of his trade.

“The number one title with inthemix is great but you can't charge international prices. I'd have to charge something that I think is fair. But I also have to think that only four or five years ago when I was playing bars I was only charging $50 an hour. To say my fees have gone up a lot would be a truism, but saying that, I'm very careful with my manager not to price myself out of the market. Because there are so many good young acts that are coming through at the moment.”
The Matchstick

The inthemix party hits Family on September 21 with Nik Fish, Amber Savage, Harry K, Habebe and lots more.You can catch Ajax at Parklife September 29, Elsewhere November 25 and supporting Daft Punk at the Brisbane Riverstage December 20. To see the entire ITM Top 50 for 2007 go to www.inthemix.com.au/50.
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