Markus recently conducted an interview for Polish website GlobalTrance.pl, ahead of his appearances in Poland in July and August, at the Sunrise and Creamfields festivals respectively.
You can view the original source (in Polish) by Clicking Here
However, for the benefit for our international readers, here is the full interview in English below:
What first made you be interested in trance music?
When I was very young in Germany we used to get mix tapes from America. I got so into what the DJ was doing. Later when I got to America I bought my first turntable and started practicing. My first parties were hip hop parties and from there I got into house music. Things just evolved over the years till I got into trance.
Where do you find inspirations for creating new sounds?
Everywhere. I think the best part of travel is it is so inspirational. Just the sounds you hear in the streets. Vendors, people talking, the sounds of the traffic. Everything can be really inspirational.
Can you describe your music style which appears in your productions?
Dark, melodic, tech trance.
You are 13 in the top DJ MAG in 2007. Are you satisfied about that or had you expected higher rate?
I think of the DJ Mag poll as my yearly evaluation. If I am doing well, then it shows in the polls. So far, I think I am doing ok because the music fans seem to think so. I keep trying to give my best at each and every performance. People are travelling and paying for a ticket. I owe it to them to do my best every time. They make it possible for me to travel the world and do what I love doing.
What was the basic influence when producing for Amsterdam '08 Compilation? Why have you chosen just these productions, not others?
Amsterdam '08 was a snapshot of what I was feeling and playing right then. It was how that particular place makes me feel.
Your production called 'Cause You know' gained great popularity in Poland. I'm very interested what was the origin of it?
Departure sent me a sample of a track they were just starting on. I loved it, absolutely loved it. So I took what they sent and worked on it from there. The vocals are really just a test of something they were starting. But I really loved the sound and feeling they had, that raw, edgy feel.
In what do you find yourself more: as a producer or a DJ?
I don't think of myself as more of one or the other. I think they go together equally. In order to have great shows I need great music and I try to make great music so people want to come see my shows.
Do you plan what to play while performing on the stage or is it a spontanious decision?
I do some planning. I know what I would like to play at every gig, and I have a plan in my head of how I want the show to go. But, the audience is a big factor in what I play. I want them to really enjoy the night and if I see something particular makes them go crazy or they aren't as into something else I have to go with what makes them happy. I want people to leave the event thinking it was the party of the year and in order to do that I have to give my best performance every time.
It is said that not everybody is fond of your music. Do you mind this criticism?
No, it isn't possible to please everyone. Not everyone likes chocolate cake. That doesn't mean all chocolate cake is bad, it just means some people don't like it. It is the same with music. Not everyone is going to love the music I play. That is ok. Can you imagine how boring the world would be if everyone liked the same things? There would be no creativity, no new ideas. No one would strive to do new things.
You often play Polish producers' tracks in your sets. There are 3 of them who've been noticed by you. Do you plan to introduce us a new star of Polish origin?
I think there has been a lot of great music coming out of Poland lately. I hope it continues. I try to find as much exciting new music and producers as I can.
Lately there've been lots of your amazing performances in our country. What can you say about polish audience and polish events so far?
Every event I have played in Poland has been amazing. The fans are always up for it, the production is amazing and everyone I've worked with or met has been so wonderful. I love playing Poland.
You're playing on the Sunrise Festival in July in Poland. Have you heard about this event before? Do you know how much it is respected by the DJs?
have heard really good things about the festival. This will be my first year playing there and I am looking forward to it.
Your set which was played during polish edition of Sensation White complitely astonished your fans. Some of them didn't expect it from you What was the main influence on playing it in that way? Had you planned it?
I somewhat plan my sets. I know what tracks I'd really like to play but once I get there and I get into the set, things can change. The mood of the event and what the crowd seems to be vibing to really influence what I play. With the amazing stage set up and all the people in white. It really just moved me.
What's your personal opinion about alcohol and drugs taken during the events? Do you respect them?
I don't think it is my place to comment on what other people do. I think anything to excess is very bad.
Do you have any moments when you're feeling little run down and you're tired of playing and travelling constantly from place to place? Have you ever wanted to cut it all off?
The travelling can be very hard and being away from family and friends sn't a lot of fun either. But once I am on stage and everyone is having a great time, it all seems worth it.
What are your favourite tracks at the moment?
Element One - Guanacaste
tyDi - Russia
Mr. Pit - Shana
Arnej - They Always Come Back
Would you like to tell something to our readers and users of GlobalTrance.pl?
I can't wait to meet you!
May 28, 2008
May 26, 2008
[CLHR047] Arnej - They Always Come Back
Release Label: Coldharbour Recordings
Release Code: CLHR047
Release Date: May 26th 2008
They Always Come Back (Original Mix)
They Always Come Back (Intro Mix)
They Always Come Back (M.I.K.E. Remix)
Toronto native Arney Secerkadic is regarded as an exciting and hot prospect for the future, both in production and DJing capacities. For several years he produced and DJed under the 8 Wonders alias, where his tracks were championed by DJs such as DJ Precision among others.
In the summer of 2007 Arney reverted to a more progressive style of production, and this was well received with balearic-influenced tracks "Rendezvous" and "People Come, People Go". Now he delivers his first production for Coldharbour Recordings, and it looks set to be one of the biggest tunes of 2008.
The original has been a permanent fixture in the boxes of Markus Schulz, Armin van Buuren, Judge Jules and Sander van Doorn in recent months, receiving rapturous reception on any dancefloor worldwide. On remix duties is a legend in his own right, with Antwerp's M.I.K.E. offering a tough electro alternative. In addition, Arnej also produced a special intro mix, perfect for opening a momentus set of your own.
They Always Come Back is a release you simply cannot afford to miss, whether you are on the trance or progressive side of the dance spectrum.
Available to buy digitally from Armada / Audiojelly by Clickng Here
Available to buy digitally from Beatport by Clickng Here
Available to buy on CD from CDJShop by Clickng Here
May 13, 2008
Markus Interview with Lektrik Nightclub
It's been a big year so far for you with your release of the mixed compilation Amsterdam 08 and being voted 13 in the top 100 world DJs, what's next on the agenda of conquests?
It has been a massive year, you're right, and it's not even half way through! Right now I am finishing up my remix for Sia's Buttons which should be out soon. It's already sounding amazing (if I say so myself) but it needs a couple of tweaks here and there before I unleash it on the dance floor. Also, I am mixing a new CD for Armada at Amnesia which should capture the essence of our night out in Ibiza, as well as putting together a remix album of tracks off Progression. This is one of the most exciting things I've got going on this year.
Progression was a big deal for me and the tracks off the original album were extremely well received by other DJs and clubbers around the world. This time I've got some amazing, but new remixes, plus some new original tracks which should cause your sound systewms to melt down! Keep an eye out for news about it in the next couple of months. Then of course I am gearing up for the summer gigs and festivals! I'll be playing almost all of the 14 weeks of Armada and Contact at Amnesia on Tuesdays, it's an amazing night, last year we broke records for crowd attendance and the atmosphere was electric. This time round we've got the guys from Contact joining us which will add an amazing dimension to the whole event - make sure you're there on the dance floor to join us!
Tell us about the difference in atmosphere when playing in your hometown Miami and Berlin?
Miami is a very see and be seen kind of place. People go out for the vibe more than anything. The music is an added bonus. They really enjoy the music but there is definitely no sweaty dancing, no one was to mess up their Armani suits! In Berlin the atmosphere is more creative. It is a really big artistic community so the people that go out there are really into the music a lot more. It is more a part of their lifestyle. Berlin's clubs are some of the best in the world and its reputation's been growing year on year. If you get the chance to go, take it!
Your yearly compilation mixes all have titles of places that are close to your heart. Miami '05, Ibiza '06, Amsterdam '08, maybe we can hope for an Ireland '09?
You never know! I really enjoy my gigs in Ireland. The people there are hardcore music heads! They want their music and they want it right now. You definitely have to be up for the gig when you play there, they know what they like and when you get it spot on there is no better feeling. Amazing, world class crowds, without a doubt!
May I just comment you on the work you've put in to your record label Coldharbour Recordings. It's had some amazing releases, has the vinyl decline hurt the label hard?
I don't think so. The conduits through which the music is now available has changed. I think in some ways it is more accessible to the general public, people who might not go into vinyl stores to buy a record but who are clubbers and love the music just as much as DJs. Almost everyone now has a computer at home or some kind of mp3 player. It is so easy to log on to iTunes or Beatport and purchase your favorite artist's new music. Tracklists are posted all over the net so if you are in Cairo and your favorite DJ is in Kiev, you can still access the set or a tracklist and know whatis going on. I think it's opened up dance music, particularly single releases, to a much wider audience.
What is your opinion on digital DJing?
DJing has evolved and changed over the years. We'd be nothing without Larry Levan and the Paradise Garage. I think there is a natural evolution from vinyl to CDs to digital DJing. The technology is out there that allows the DJ to be so much more creative with their sets. It ha moved past mixing from track to track and now has become more of a performance art. And you only have to look at products like the Pacemaker that are coming out now. It fits in your pocket, you can take it with you wherever you go, it's the next generation. It's exciting and it's here, let's take advantage of it.
A lot more DJs are trying to get into production nowadays. What can you recommend for beginners?
Don't try to copy what everyone else is doing. Make the music you want to make, not what you think people will hear. I get so many tracks that all sound the same because of lack of creativity. Music should come from the heart, it should be a beat that you can't get out of your head, it should be a melody that goes round and round and you can't get rid of it until you get it down on paper or on computer. It should drive you to push for something new, something different, something that is going to blow people away on the dance floor. You should strive for perfection - sometimes it can drive you mental! But when you get it right, there's no feeling like it.
I'm fortunate to be in a position where I can play new tracks in clubs and see what the reaction's like. But I think that even if you can't do that, as a producer, you know when it's good and you know when it's not. The most important thing though, above all else, is - do not do it for the money. If you do it for the money then you're in it for the wrong reason and you won't get anywhere.
Some of your fellow DJs are going for the all night long shows, Armin ONly, Full On Ferry, can we ever expect a Markus marathon?
I'm trying to move more toward this. It requires so much preparation and I'd have to give up some of what I am doing now to take the time to prepare. You look at the amount of work that goes into Armin Only, Tiesto's events, it takes time to make it right. It is definitely something I will be doing in the future but I will only do it when I have everything 100%.
It's got to be someting that blows your mind, that takes you to another level, that you come away from and you can't even put into words how good it was. That's what I want to do and believe me, when I do it, that's how you'll feel. It'll be worth the wait.
Being a musician and a handsome man you must get a lot of female attention, how do you deal with that?
Really? I hadn't noticed. And I thought those girls chasing me after the gigs were practicisng for a marathon. My wife Heather is the only one for me so female attention is flattering but pretty much pointless, she's absolutely amazing and believe me, is a one off!
What's around the corner for the trance scene?
Trance is always changing. There is always the "next big thing" coming around. For a while it was all about the eighth note driven trance. I will be excited to see what comes next. There are a lot of young new producers around at the moment who are bringing a passion into the scene that I love. There are some big names who are pushing things to another level. Trance is, for me, one of the most beautiful sounds you could ever hear. Whether it's filthy and thumping or beautiful and orchestral, there's a reason why it's one of the biggest genres anywhere in the world. As long as the passion and love for music stays in trance, it will only get bigger and better.
Thanks very much for our time, I believe that one of your favourite tracks of all time is Cass & Slide "Perception" - me too! I hope you bring this track back from the dead!
It has been a massive year, you're right, and it's not even half way through! Right now I am finishing up my remix for Sia's Buttons which should be out soon. It's already sounding amazing (if I say so myself) but it needs a couple of tweaks here and there before I unleash it on the dance floor. Also, I am mixing a new CD for Armada at Amnesia which should capture the essence of our night out in Ibiza, as well as putting together a remix album of tracks off Progression. This is one of the most exciting things I've got going on this year.
Progression was a big deal for me and the tracks off the original album were extremely well received by other DJs and clubbers around the world. This time I've got some amazing, but new remixes, plus some new original tracks which should cause your sound systewms to melt down! Keep an eye out for news about it in the next couple of months. Then of course I am gearing up for the summer gigs and festivals! I'll be playing almost all of the 14 weeks of Armada and Contact at Amnesia on Tuesdays, it's an amazing night, last year we broke records for crowd attendance and the atmosphere was electric. This time round we've got the guys from Contact joining us which will add an amazing dimension to the whole event - make sure you're there on the dance floor to join us!
Tell us about the difference in atmosphere when playing in your hometown Miami and Berlin?
Miami is a very see and be seen kind of place. People go out for the vibe more than anything. The music is an added bonus. They really enjoy the music but there is definitely no sweaty dancing, no one was to mess up their Armani suits! In Berlin the atmosphere is more creative. It is a really big artistic community so the people that go out there are really into the music a lot more. It is more a part of their lifestyle. Berlin's clubs are some of the best in the world and its reputation's been growing year on year. If you get the chance to go, take it!
Your yearly compilation mixes all have titles of places that are close to your heart. Miami '05, Ibiza '06, Amsterdam '08, maybe we can hope for an Ireland '09?
You never know! I really enjoy my gigs in Ireland. The people there are hardcore music heads! They want their music and they want it right now. You definitely have to be up for the gig when you play there, they know what they like and when you get it spot on there is no better feeling. Amazing, world class crowds, without a doubt!
May I just comment you on the work you've put in to your record label Coldharbour Recordings. It's had some amazing releases, has the vinyl decline hurt the label hard?
I don't think so. The conduits through which the music is now available has changed. I think in some ways it is more accessible to the general public, people who might not go into vinyl stores to buy a record but who are clubbers and love the music just as much as DJs. Almost everyone now has a computer at home or some kind of mp3 player. It is so easy to log on to iTunes or Beatport and purchase your favorite artist's new music. Tracklists are posted all over the net so if you are in Cairo and your favorite DJ is in Kiev, you can still access the set or a tracklist and know whatis going on. I think it's opened up dance music, particularly single releases, to a much wider audience.
What is your opinion on digital DJing?
DJing has evolved and changed over the years. We'd be nothing without Larry Levan and the Paradise Garage. I think there is a natural evolution from vinyl to CDs to digital DJing. The technology is out there that allows the DJ to be so much more creative with their sets. It ha moved past mixing from track to track and now has become more of a performance art. And you only have to look at products like the Pacemaker that are coming out now. It fits in your pocket, you can take it with you wherever you go, it's the next generation. It's exciting and it's here, let's take advantage of it.
A lot more DJs are trying to get into production nowadays. What can you recommend for beginners?
Don't try to copy what everyone else is doing. Make the music you want to make, not what you think people will hear. I get so many tracks that all sound the same because of lack of creativity. Music should come from the heart, it should be a beat that you can't get out of your head, it should be a melody that goes round and round and you can't get rid of it until you get it down on paper or on computer. It should drive you to push for something new, something different, something that is going to blow people away on the dance floor. You should strive for perfection - sometimes it can drive you mental! But when you get it right, there's no feeling like it.
I'm fortunate to be in a position where I can play new tracks in clubs and see what the reaction's like. But I think that even if you can't do that, as a producer, you know when it's good and you know when it's not. The most important thing though, above all else, is - do not do it for the money. If you do it for the money then you're in it for the wrong reason and you won't get anywhere.
Some of your fellow DJs are going for the all night long shows, Armin ONly, Full On Ferry, can we ever expect a Markus marathon?
I'm trying to move more toward this. It requires so much preparation and I'd have to give up some of what I am doing now to take the time to prepare. You look at the amount of work that goes into Armin Only, Tiesto's events, it takes time to make it right. It is definitely something I will be doing in the future but I will only do it when I have everything 100%.
It's got to be someting that blows your mind, that takes you to another level, that you come away from and you can't even put into words how good it was. That's what I want to do and believe me, when I do it, that's how you'll feel. It'll be worth the wait.
Being a musician and a handsome man you must get a lot of female attention, how do you deal with that?
Really? I hadn't noticed. And I thought those girls chasing me after the gigs were practicisng for a marathon. My wife Heather is the only one for me so female attention is flattering but pretty much pointless, she's absolutely amazing and believe me, is a one off!
What's around the corner for the trance scene?
Trance is always changing. There is always the "next big thing" coming around. For a while it was all about the eighth note driven trance. I will be excited to see what comes next. There are a lot of young new producers around at the moment who are bringing a passion into the scene that I love. There are some big names who are pushing things to another level. Trance is, for me, one of the most beautiful sounds you could ever hear. Whether it's filthy and thumping or beautiful and orchestral, there's a reason why it's one of the biggest genres anywhere in the world. As long as the passion and love for music stays in trance, it will only get bigger and better.
Thanks very much for our time, I believe that one of your favourite tracks of all time is Cass & Slide "Perception" - me too! I hope you bring this track back from the dead!
May 12, 2008
[CLHR046] B.E.N. & Mr. Pit - More Manners Please / Superstition
Release Label: Coldharbour Recordings
Release Code: CLHR046
Release Date: May 12th 2008
More Manners Please
Superstition
Earmarked by Markus Schulz as two names to watch out for in 2008, the newest release on Coldharbour Recordings has been anticipated for quite some time. England's Ben Greenwood (B.E.N.), a protégé of John '00' Fleming, teams up with Romanian Adrian Ivan (Mr. Pit), to deliver a slice of tough, pounding beats, intertwined with harmonic breakdowns leaving the listener begging for more.
More Manners Please formed an integral part of Markus Schulz's Amsterdam '08 compilation, and looks sure to be a hot sellers ahead of the Ibiza season, receiving support from Ferry Corsten, Tiesto and Paul van Dyk among others.
Looking back to last year, Superstition was a staple in both Markus and Armin van Buuren's sets at Amnesia last year as well as at the major festivals. After brief hibernation throughout the winter months, the track looks set to be unleashed on dancefloors for the summer of 2008, guaranteeing a huge reaction among fans of trance or electro.
Both guys have quickly established themselves as favourites among Global DJ Broadcast listeners, and due to the success of their first collaborative E.P. release, it looks likely that they will work together again in the future.
Available to buy digitally from Armada / Audiojelly by Clickng Here
Available to buy digitally from Beatport by Clickng Here
Available to buy on CD from CDJShop by Clickng Here
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