Q&A: Meet the artist - Cory Carter

Name: Cory Carter

Medium: Disc jockey for electronic dance music

Where: Columbus

If Cory Carter has his way, the old-fashioned Crump Theatre will become, well, the Bump Theatre from 7:30 p.m. April 6 to 12:30 a.m. April 6.

That’s because the 33-year-old performer is among five music mixers, for lack of a better term, offering varied, electronically blended tunes at a gathering called “Bump!” He performs under the stage name EpicTek.

The electronic dance music all-ages events, with a $7 admission charge, have attracted an average of 75 to 100 people — mostly teens — which is fine with Carter.

“We’re wanting to grow this to the point that we can attract a majority of the area high school students,” Carter said. “We want to open people’s eyes and give them a chance to find out what the music is about.”

It’s about energy, he said.

“And it’s definitely picking up steam with the younger generation,” Carter said. “A lot more of them are into electronic dance music today than when I was a teenager.”

How did you get your start?

With house parties several years ago. But it’s really been more of a hobby.

What attracted you?

I think it was mainly the energy. And back when I started, it helped me meet a lot of people I really enjoyed being around, and I became really close friends with them. I got a good vibe from them.

Why present electronic dance music here?

I believe this town does need a dance music scene, giving teens something to do and somewhere to go. But I know it’s a growing process. I would like to double the (attendance) numbers by the end of summer.

What music will you present at the April 6 show?

Some of it might be old; some of it might be new. It’s often very random, and what I’m feeling at the moment. I try not to exactly plan anything anymore.

If I see the crowd dancing to one thing, I try to keep the energy there and keep them bouncing.

How would electronic dance music disc jockeys like to be seen?

We want to be viewed as valid artists.

What’s the feel of the events at the Crump?

It’s a place where you can meet new friends and feel comfortable walking up to and talking to anybody. And when the music is driving, I hope it would simply make them want to dance without caring what anybody else thinks.

A lot of us like to say, “Dance like nobody’s watching.”

How are your own dance moves?

Actually, I never could dance. I don’t have any rhythm.

If someone dances during most of the five-hour event, are they drained by the end?

I would hope so.

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