From punter to headliner: CC:DISCO! reflects on her Melbourne Music Week journey
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30.10.2019

From punter to headliner: CC:DISCO! reflects on her Melbourne Music Week journey

CC:DISCO!
Words by Ellen Rosie

Melbourne Music Week is celebrating its tenth anniversary this November, and who better to headline than Melbourne’s own CC:DISCO!?

Courtney Clarke, who DJs under the moniker of CC:DISCO!, says that it feels pretty surreal to be headlining this year’s massive event.

“I remember when Melbourne Music Week just started and I was getting into the scene. To think ten years later I’d be playing is crazy. It’s always been such a huge event to me, so to be asked is an honour,” says Clarke.

For its tenth anniversary, this year will see the return of the immersive pop-up venue Kubik as the MMW Hub, which will find its temporary home in Alexandra Gardens on the banks of the Yarra River.

MMW will host over 300 local and international acts across its ten days. Not only will it once again be certified carbon neutral, the festival is working towards a zero-waste initiative for the first time.

Clarke, who runs Melbourne’s much-loved Club Coco, says that fans who attend her show at MMW can expect full Club Coco vibes with inclusiveness, high energy, no pretentiousness and just pure feeling.

According to Clarke, music is just about enjoying the moment and engaging with people from all walks of life. She wants to create a dance sanctuary that you never want to leave with music you hope never ends.

Clarke is keen to perform alongside Kllo and Nu Guinea, amongst others, though she is especially excited to perform alongside French DJ Raphaël Top Secret.

“I’m so stoked that I am able to have such a world class act along for the ride, all the way from France,” she says. “He is one of the most revered DJs in the world, so to say it’s going to be special is a total understatement.”

Now stationed in Lisbon and having undertaken three extensive tours of Europe and the UK in 2018, Clarke admits she is a little homesick.

“I’ll never get sick of Aussies on the dancefloor, watching them in crowds in Europe you see the energy they bring and you can spot them from a mile away.”

Clarke has also been keeping herself busy by producing the second volume of First Light, a compilation she curated in 2018 that profiles Australian and New Zealand electronic artists. With the second edition, the concept remains the same – bringing emerging acts to the forefront – however this edition will also feature global artists.

“It’s got some amazing tunes on there and lots of different styles. I’m looking forward to sharing some of these talented artists with you next year. It’s been a long process but it’s nearly there.”

Clarke believes that people should use MMW as an opportunity to support and celebrate Melbourne’s amazing local music community.

“It’s a HUGE event and we are so lucky to have this on our doorstep. It gives so many artists amazing opportunities, so I just hope the city appreciates and enjoys the hell out of it, as that’s who it’s been created for.”

In the meantime, you can catch CC:DISCO! on her Australian Club Coco tour with Raphaël Top Secret or at her New Zealand shows, before she takes a break to enjoy the summer.

“I can finally see all of my favourite DJs again and dance myself. Melbourne truly has some of the best DJs in the world!”

CC:DISCO! will be headlining Melbourne Music Week which runs from Thursday November 14 to Saturday November 23 across the CBD. She’ll play at Kubik on Friday November 15 with tix available via the MMW website.