The phrase “I did that” is usually uttered as a boast — that emphasized for prideful measure. But on Alex Wilcox’s new track, “I Did That” featuring Chippy Nonstop, the phrase is pushed to its conceptual limit, expanded to include a list that ranges from the banal to the heathenish: being a “bitch,” smoking, drinking wine, touching bums, having your card declined.

Wilcox, a Berlin-based DJ and producer, has his roots in the US rock scene. After moving to Detroit and releasing his debut techno project, he found himself with co-signs from some of techno’s heavyweights. Fusing rock’s theatricality with techno’s stoicism has led to a techno project that is at once giddy and hard-edged, winking and thrashing.

“I Did That” is a perfect example. Toronto artist and DJ (and forever Boiler Room fav) Chippy Nonstop coolly delivers vocals on the caustic track, echoing Wilcox’s utterances of “I Did That” in a quietly confident manner. The, track released on Boys Noize’s sub-label, BNR Trax, is a taste of what’s to come in Wilcox’s forthcoming EP, three songs that exploit Wilcox’s penchant for eliciting strong reactions from listeners, be that the urge to dance or laugh in surprise at the big blare of a synth he lovingly deems “corny.”

The video for “I Did That” mirrors Wilcox’s prankster ethos. Partially inspired by Tyler, the Creator’s iconic video for “Yonkers,” it begins simply with Wilcox’s looking steely at the camera in front of a white wall. As the song goes on, animation, strobes and the inclusion of fire and chains mimic the song’s descent to hellish chaos.

PAPER gathered Wilcox and Chippy Nonstop to chat about their new single, tour life and Wilcox’s forthcoming EP.

Alex Wilcox: I remember meeting y’all because I was in a funky mood that evening. I had some stuff going on [personally], but I remember it was a really good time. And I was just like, Oh my gosh, these guys are really silly and funny and warm and kind. I remember we chatted a bit, and then was like, Oh, maybe we could try throwing something together. Because I really liked your older music — and your new stuff too — but especially that “Money Dance” music video. I thought it was so funny in a good way. It just really had this sense of humor in it. And I feel like a lot of my music has a sense of humor as well.

Chippy Nonstop: It needs to sound good, but at the end of the day, we’re having fun with it. I think that’s why we got along.

Alex Wilcox: When we met in Berlin, I think I had a couple beats already made, but nothing was really clicking. So I remember I whipped up the basis of the track, and it was a really dumb-sounding beat. But I think we both were like, This is hilarious. And then we were like, Yeah, fuck it, let’s, let’s go for it.

Chippy: I think we were playing around to see what works. It was just kind of a jamming sesh.

Alex: Yeah, and then [a few weeks later,] I remember I was like, Okay, I have this wonky beat, and then I have the hook, and I wasn’t really sure where to go with it at first. I don’t usually do vocal driven stuff, but I just started rapping [on it] and it came out really fast. I was laughing the whole time. But I thought it was cool. And now Boys Noize Records is putting out, which is cool.

Chippy: Yeah, I think it’s a good fit. You’re [touring] in Asia, right?

Alex: Yeah, I’m in Asia right now. I’m in Tokyo, which is fun. I’ve never been here before. And then I’m doing this East Asia tour. It’s going to be Tokyo and Osaka this weekend, then a couple shows in China next weekend, and then back to Berlin. I haven’t toured so much. I feel like I’ve only been touring for a year and a half. You’ve been touring forever, right?

Chippy: On my first tour I was rapping and I didn’t even have music out. I was 19, and this group saw me dancing somewhere, probably at the club, and also I was on the internet. So I just wrote a bunch of music for the tour over beats to perform them on the tour. I didn’t have any music out. This was like 2011.

Alex: Do you have any self care routines or “must do’s” on tour?

Chippy: I can sleep anywhere, so I’ll pass out as soon as I get on the plane. On the first few tours after the pandemic, I basically would go for the opening act, and I would stay all the way to the end, and then I would go to the after party. I would literally not sleep for days. But now I’m like, Okay, it’s a job. I can just play and leave. I felt like I did that because I’m from the rave community where we go out to be together and that energy. And now it’s a job. Just to take care of yourself.

Alex: What’s the weirdest thing you pack for a tour? Is there anything funky you bring?

Chippy: I pack pretty meticulously, because I wear crazy outfits [at my shows]. I pack each show outfit in little baggies with my outfit, my jewelry, my shoes, all in one plastic baggie for each show and then, and then I have one other bag which is like casual pants and casual shirts.

Alex: I might need to ask your advice on a better suitcase. Because I just had this one from Target, and it’s completely falling apart. But I wear my monkey sweater and my black pants for every gig. But [let’s talk about] this single [“I Did That”] and the music video. We were hitting you up when we were making the video, but I think you were busy.

Chippy: It was at the busiest time when you hit me up. It was a few months of this rampage tour.

Alex: It came out pretty crazy. So I think it’ll be a vibe. I took inspiration from the “Yonkers” [by Tyler, the Creator] music video, because it’s just a simple one-shot. I liked the intensity of that and how there was a cool climax at the end. I think the structure of the video had that in mind. Obviously there are differences though; I’m getting lit on fire and we have different angles. Doberman [the music video director] came up with the flames idea, which was pretty sick and I just really just trust their judgment. The video looks really sleek.

Chippy: Where did you shoot it?

Alex: It was shot in London by Doberman. It’s cool. There’s some AI fire and we got to use super nice lights and stuff. So let’s see how it goes. I should send you the EP, because I don’t think you’ve heard the whole thing, other than the single.

Chippy: Oh yeah!

Alex: There are three songs on the EP. My favorite of the three is this one called “MONDAY NIGHT TRACKSUIT.” It’s inspired by this Russian, hard-bass subculture. My friends and I were listening to some of that stuff, where all those songs will be referencing Adidas tracksuits. I was in Romania, actually, when someone showed it to me, and I thought it was this really silly scene and just really funny.And then there’s this weird one called “Little Jack.” Basically it’s a pitched up vocal that’s chopped up a bunch. And then the last track is this one called “Griffin Shine”, which is pretty dope. It’s at 145 BPM and has this bouncy bass line. But I know you have to go and get some rest?

Chippy: Yeah, I’m flying soon. But have fun in the rest of your tour!

Alex: Thank you! Yeah, Japan’s cool.

Photos courtesy of Alex Wilcox and Chippy Nonstop