Max Cooper

Max Cooper

Max Cooper is a Belfast-born British electronic musician and producer whose work spans ambient, electronica, techno, minimal techno and tech house. Born in 1980, he first appears as a DJ and recording artist in 2007 and builds a catalogue that includes more than 50 original releases, tracks and remixes. He also works under the alias Xircus and releases on AllPoints.

Early releases and style

Cooper develops a reputation for moving between abstract electronica, dancefloor techno and more reflective, beatless writing. He describes his own practice as shaped by conflict between different sides of his personality, and that tension runs through his music. He also works as a scientist, a background that informs the conceptual side of his output.

Serie and scientific concepts

His breakthrough Serie trilogy on Traum Schallplatten begins with a 2009 release. Each track in the series is inspired by a different scientific or mathematical concept, and the project helps establish his interest in connecting electronic music with structural and conceptual ideas.

Remixes, collaborations and live work

Cooper records remixes and original work for a wide range of artists, including Hot Chip, Au Revoir Simone, Agoria, Dominik Eulberg, Extrawelt, Pig and Dan, Kaiserdisco and Sasha. His catalogue also includes a number of Hype Machine successes, including reworks of Hot Chip and Portishead, as well as several Beatport genre top 10 entries. He collaborates with visual artists Whiskas fX and Nick Cobby, and his live sets are known for combining melodic, emotive material with club-focused techno.

Later output

He continues to write and tour, with releases such as The End Of Reason extending his beatless and atmospheric side. His work is associated with stark, emotional production and a wide range of textures, from club tracks to more experimental pieces.