At so many points getting this done seemed to be against us. Ed hadn’t been in contact all day and wasn’t picking up the phone. I eventually got a message telling me he’d lost it, so everything was back on. I called the driver and had her pick us up. Halfway there the starter motor goes and we had to jump start the car whilst pushing it up a hill.
I hadn’t quite expected Ed Cox to live up to his gypsy clown reputation as much as he did. He took us through the site where all the caravans and trailers were to the one he was living in with DSC (Dog shit crew) spray-painted on the side.
To some, coming to a trailer park where gypsy clowns live would be a nightmare but to Ed Cox, whilst he’s staying in Bristol, this is home.
Ed Cox has been producing dance music for over 12 years and over that time the spirit of the clown has taken over and led to the production of the genre Clowncore. You need to experience it to understand what it is. When your at one of Ed Cox’s gigs thrashing around in front of a clown playing an accordion you realise that you’ve let go and let madness ensue. 
What would you describe your job title as?
I made a business card once and it said ‘Street entertainer, accordion rave clown’ or something.
How did Clowncore start, how did you develop it?
It was like an evolution really, I was making folky kind of rave sounding stuff, but not with the accordion first, that’s when the Clowncore started. It was just kind of weird happy folk rave. I started putting the accordion in about 5 years in. Once it was named clowncore our friend joked about it saying it’s hardcore clown music, Clowncore. Then after that I was making tunes with that in mind. So it was a bit of a side project but it’s taken over now really.
What was the reception like the first time you played it in public?
Really good reaction, yea. Everyone loved it. Anything longer than and hour though, kind of gets a bit much for people, they get a bit scared.
What about when you’re busking?
Positive mainly, I mean some people are like what the fuck are you doing? People are really good, all ages, everyone seems to like it. Well… not everyone, but I’ve had a good reaction.
What the most unusual gig you’ve ever played?
The weirdest gig was a seven year old girl’s birthday party.
Was the seven year old loving it?
Yea, she’s one of my biggest fans basically. She’s probably nine or ten now. She was probably like three or four when she first started listening to it.
Where’s your favourite place to perform?
I love playing in the street. I don’t know, it’s hard to say. There’s good squat parties and good club nights, and shit squat parties and shit club nights. It really depends.
Do people expect you to play a certain kind of music?
Yea, if I’m not playing the accordion people seem to be upset. It’s like I have to sort of play for them now. It’s all right though.
Do loads of people go to your gigs dressed as clowns?
Yea, depends where it is. Pretty much every other one there’s at least somebody.
I’ve noticed there’s loads of clown stuff around your room too, seems like it’s made its way into your life…
People sort of see things and give them to me. Scary clown things from my mum and dad. All those china ones were all found in a squat in an old nursing home. This old woman had an obsession with clowns and she left them all there so someone got them for me.
My mate says you should call your fans Clown whores.
Haha Clowncore clown whores.
You seem to move round countries quite a lot, are you happiest when you’re on the move?
I don’t actually like the moving bit, most of the time I’m only there for like a night. I was in Berlin for 7 hours last time I was there. It doesn’t seem like you’re there. But I love touring, that’s wicked fun.
What would you do if you weren’t making music?
I’m not sure. I’ve pretty much always made music. I used to work in factories when I wasn’t making money off music. Then I gave that up and started busking and since then I’ve not bothered going back to the factories.
What’s you’re favourite memory from performing?
I think the first time I did it on the street with the sound system there was like an old lady dancing and like a little girl, and there were loads of ravers I’d told to come down. Just a really nice mix of society.
If you weren’t doing clowncore what would you want to do?
Well I’ve got this midi accordion that can trigger electric sounds. I want to start making rave music but with an accordion but you can’t hear the accordion because it’s all electronic. 
Interview: Andrea Barney
Photography: Jak Flash
Assistant: Andrea Barney
Make-up Artist: Jak Flash
Clothes Provided by: Puckoo Couture
Transport: Hana Denham