Today we’d like to introduce you to Cody Skinner
Hi Cody, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My journey began about 10 years ago as an Atlanta-based DJ, going by the name DJ System Fail, deeply rooted in the goth/industrial scene. I got my DJ start at an alternative dance club/bar called The Shelter in Buckhead, where I eventually became the resident DJ for their weekly Goth/Industrial/Darkwave night. When that venue closed, I took a brief break but returned to the scene about a year later, spinning at local events like Ascension Atlanta (hosted at The Masquerade) and Ritual (was hosted at Famous Pub at the time, now at The Heretic). Ascension held a special place in my heart as someone that grew up going to concerts at The Masquerade, having the opportunity to be on that stage was huge for me. Eventually, I had the privilege of becoming a resident DJ for Ascension’s monthly event.
Around 2018-2019, I began channeling my creativity into a solo electro-industrial project called Riot Age, an aggressive music project that touches on themes like political corruption, police states, and advancing technology. In 2020, I released my first album, Reboot, and by April 2023 I had the opportunity to play my first live show opening for the legendary electro-industrial band Suicide Commando at 529 in East Atlanta Village. Since then, Riot Age has had the honor of sharing the stage throughout the Southeast with acts like SITD, Curse Mackey, and Astari Nite. I have also had the opportunity to be part of the live lineup for vvitchboy and Sneakernet.
Throughout this time, I continued DJing events around the area, including Ascension Atlanta and Ritual. A big highlight has been the opportunity to DJ the late-night raves at DragonCon in Atlanta two years in a row.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It hasn’t always been a smooth road, but I’ve been fortunate to have some amazing people in my corner who’ve helped me along the way. When I first got started, the other DJs from The Shelter (special shoutouts to Ghost and Aesthetic) really took me under their wing, coaching me and helping me develop my style. They shared whatever knowledge they could about the art, and that guidance was so important to my development. The same goes for starting Riot Age, I was able to interact with some incredible producers and artists in the scene who gave great advice about everything from track mastering to figuring out distribution on streaming platforms.
Some of the more challenging struggles have been personal. Neurodivergence has made things like reaching out, networking, and promoting a bit more difficult for me. I’m certainly not always the best at interacting with others and/or putting myself out there, but it’s something I’ve been forcing myself to work on, and it’s getting better with time. Beyond that, imposter syndrome has been a constant hurdle, but that’s another thing that gets slightly better the more I release music and perform live.
All of this said, I’ve been really lucky in this scene. The goth/industrial community is pretty tight-knit. Not in an elitist way, but in a way that makes it possible to reach out to the people I grew up listening to, or some of my favorite artists today, and they’re often more than willing to help. Of course, there are always a few bad apples in any scene, but overall this community really looks out for each other.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’d like to think that my work is about using my passion for music and creativity to highlight real-world issues, while also giving people a much needed break from the chaos of every day life. As a DJ, my goal is to create a space where people can unplug, even for just a few hours, and fully immerse themselves in the music. With Riot Age, I try to bring attention to important issues, but also aim to energize people, encouraging them to engage with the world around them while also enjoying the moment and the music. Whether I’m spinning behind the decks or performing live, I want to give the audience an unforgettable experience, blending aggression with emotion, offering them an escape while still firing them up.
What I’m most proud of, though, goes beyond the music itself. It’s the sense of community I’ve been able to contribute to. Aside from the music, the goth/industrial scene really is about the people, the connections, and the shared experience. Being able to be a voice within the community, bringing people together, and seeing them connect not just on the dance floor but outside of events as well, has been one of the most rewarding aspects of my journey.
What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
The most important lesson I’ve learned along this journey is the power of persistence, especially as someone who struggles at times with neurodivergence and imposter syndrome. There have definitely been moments when it felt easier to give up, or when self-doubt made me question my worth as both an artist and a DJ, but sticking with it, especially in the tougher times, has been a key element to my growth. I’ve learned that the road isn’t always smooth, and it’s okay to make mistakes, as long as you keep pushing forward. An artist I really look up to once said something along the lines of “no one’s first release is a masterpiece. If you want to create something great, you have to stumble through creating things that just objectively aren’t good. If you quit in the not good stage, you never get to the great stage.” It’s not an exact quote, but that sentiment is something that really stayed in my mind as I continue with my journey as an artist and as a DJ. With Riot Age in particular, the more I put out there, the more inspired I am to keep creating, and the cycle just continues. And it’s been really cool to have people tell me what their favorite songs of mine are, or to see them singing along in the crowd when I’m performing.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.riotage.com, https://djsystemfail.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/riotagemusic
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/systemfailatl
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@riotage1556
Image Credits
Grungeshots Photography
Brian Parris
UNEXPhotography
