Confessions…
Interview with Oxy Cottontail
Words: Becca Nelson

Appearing at:
Dirty But Sophisticated 4
February 2, 2008
Czar Vodka Bar, Ybor City

Roxanne Summers, aka Oxy Cottontail, is one of New York City’s hottest promoters and DJs right now, throwing parties for her boys over at Hollertronix (Diplo and Low Budget) and rubbing elbows with everyone who’s anyone in NY night life. She’s also on a crazy world tour schedule, hosting events everywhere from Australia to Paris to Miami, and dropping singles left and right in promotion for a rumored upcoming album. She will be bringing her own brand of banger down here for February’s Dirty But Sophisticated 4, where she’ll host the party and throw down with DJ Si Young (Plastic Little) to show Tampa what a dance party is all about. She’s a busy girl, but she slowed down for a minute to address some of her favorite topics: NYC, parties, dance music and, of course, herself.

REAX: So, what’s an average day for a party queen like yourself?
Oxy Cottontail: I arise to the hum of my Crackberry: I rarely set an alarm unless I need to catch an early flight.   I start my day off with breakfast; if you work and play as hard as I do, you have to treat your body right and start your metabolism off from the jump.  The Cottontails, Rosemary and Coco, come over and hustle until the sun goes down; that’s when my day really begins.  There’s no average day in the life of an international party girl; any given day could mean catching the red eye to Paris or Miami or spending hours in the studio honing my craft.  I’m my own boss so I decide when the hustle is going down.

REAX: Tell me, in 25 words or less, how you came to do what you do.
OC: Mom & Dad, Pratt Institute, Roommate of Justine D., Motherfucker, 9/11, Dave P., Moved to Philadelphia, Hollertronix, Moved back to NYC, started promoting Hollertronix parties, DJed, Rapped, Toured.

REAX: What is your favorite, underground, nobody knows about it, diviest bar/club/venue in the city right now, and tell me about the last party you were at there.
OC: Decibel; Japanese tapas/sake bar in the East Village/Union Square area - 240 E. 9th St. [New York City]. I wasn’t there for a party, per se, but wherever I am is a party! It’s just a warm, yummy, appetizing, intimate place.

REAX: You’re amping up your producing skills right now, and dropping singles left and right. Is there an album in store?
OC: Yes there is an album in store, also a mixtape.  I’m working with Jake Jefferson, Melo-X, Drop the Lime, Just Felix, and Low B. I’m always searching for new sounds.

REAX: There’s a war going on, mass poverty and unemployment, starvation and global warming crises happening in our world right now. Why is keeping the party going important?
OC: Through all the devastation in the world right now I like to feel like the Cottontail Dynasty helps provide people with an outlet for self-expression and an atmosphere to forget for a night.  When a girl or boy goes out at night that allows her to be who she is and he who he is; from the attitude, music, to the clothes, to the moves on the dance floor.  Music makes the world go ‘round and individuality is what inspires the world!!!

REAX:  It’s the end of the year, so I have to ask. Top three albums this year?
OC: Armand Van Helden: Ghettoblaster; M.I.A.: Kala; Justin Timberlake: Future Sex/Love Sounds (Was that this year?? I’m still listening JT!)

REAX: You are rocking the hell out of NY and you’re one of the few female DJs to be doing so. Does it make a difference that you’re a chick?
OC: Thanks! In an ideal world I would like to think it doesn’t matter that I’m a girl in the game. Overall, I think it has helped me succeed. I stand out more than any dude ever could; there are very rarely successful women in club land. Good advice once given to me from my friend Bugsy, “If you’re going to go out every night, you might as well get paid for it.”  Grow big balls and take risks. You have to lose money to make money. And get a good mentor.

oxycottontail.com