One of the new breed of underground DJs, Langdon Cook is part of a generation
keeping the Sydney house scene young and fresh. In a genre that can easily
become staid, this twenty-five year old’s approach to music remains progressive
and inspired, giving his sets a unique edge and a place outside the box.


Sydney born and bred, Langdon first found his place in music at 10 as a
drummer and percussionist. Heavily into acid jazz and funk, his affinity with
beats evolved, resulting in compositions for rock and jazz bands and live gigs
with icons like Don Burrows and James Morrison. Eventually a passion for dance
music emerged, the original Love parties with local stalwarts, Simon Caldwell
and Phil Smart, inspiring him to become a DJ.

Following in the steps of
friend and mentor, Alex Taylor, Langdon soon found himself playing at Home, in
the superclub’s bar on a Sunday night. Since then, he’s made a niche for himself
in West Coast-flavoured deep house, with a distinctive style that has seen him
booked all over Sydney, from Home’s coveted Terrace, to the courtyard at Sounds
on Sunday and the intimate rooms of Sweetchilli. With interstate gigs and
residencies at Gas and Yu, Langdon’s tendency towards the underground is clearly
something that resonates with the more forward-thinking of house enthusiasts. At
the same time, he plays music that makes you want to dance, his sets full of
spirit and musicality, rather than depending on end-to-end crowd-pleasers.


Purveying a rich mélange of big basslines and percussion, with a funky,
syncopated feel, Landgon’s DJing is as irrepressible as his personality. His
style adapts depending on mood, extending from smooth and jazzed-out through to
tough and driving, the influences of artists like Deep Dish, Derrick Carter and
Lee Burridge evident throughout.

While there’s no doubt Langdon takes his
DJing seriously, his sense of fun is ubiquitous – and infectious. On sunny days
in the Sounds courtyard, a warm-up set might include something unexpected,
perhaps a brief rotation of ‘Nine to Five’ thrown in to keep punters guessing.
And, while a quick inspection of Langdon’s record collection might hint at
eccentricity, dig deeper, literally, and you’ll find that labels like Double
Down, Pan Handle, Nightshift and Brique Rouge are taking pride of place.

All
in all, it makes for a multi-faceted DJ who not only loves what he does, but has
the talent to turn the will into reality. With a contemporary attitude and an
innovative approach, Langdon has the respect of both punters and colleagues
alike, and a reputation that continues to go from strength to strength.