The one like the man DJ Marky Marky Maark! talks to Benjamin Goode ahead of the return of Marky and Friends at Fabric.
I have a slightly idealised dream... of a bar, on a beach in Brazil, serving all sorts of rum-based cocktails. Where yourself, Patife, XRS play four-hour-long drum 'n' bass sets interspersed with live samba, and five-aside beach football. A sort of wholesome family-based drum 'n' bass party with on-the-spot cooking ...does it exist and can I come?
Marky: Hahaha! Yeah that would be cool. I guess Carnaval can be kind of like that, just with a million people to share the experience with! One thing you do get in Brazil almost everywhere are these four-hour sets you want to hear. It's much more normal in Brazil to play for long sets like 3-4 hours, unlike the UK where it can be a new DJ every hour or even less. As for the rum cocktails and beach football, it's Brazil man, take a look around most corners and you will find this.
In regards Brazil, I can think of no other culture that lends itself so well to drum 'n' bass. There is something about Latin (specifically Brazilian) melody and syncopated rhythms that when given the drum 'n' bass treatment take on an irresistible allure. Why or what do you think that is?
M: I think Brazilians are the most passionate people in the world when it comes to their own music. It is one of the many things we have exported to the rest of the world that we are really proud of. The samba rhythm is quite fast-paced anyways so I think it fits into the 170BPM bracket quite easily. It also has a natural intensity and 'funk' that makes it quite versatile with regards to remixing across genres and forcing different sounds like horns, beats etc.
The new Kings of Drum 'n' Bass compilation has some classic tunes on there mixed in with some forthcoming songs. What are your favourite tracks drum 'n' bass or otherwise that you would take to a desert island with you? Top Ten perhaps?
M: Wow! All about the tough questions! I'd definitely take a couple of tunes from my man Random Movement like 'Waterlogged', 'Psychedelic Drainpipe' and a new one from his album called 'Yeah That's It'. Calibre would have a couple of tracks in there: 'Deep Everytime', 'Let me Hold You' and 'Like It Is'. Marcus Intalex – 'Temperance'. And of course, 4Hero would get a shout with the 'Parallel Universe' album. I know it's more than ten with the album in there, but it's impossible to pick just ten!
You get to heaven; who is on the line-up? Top Five ?
M: Most definitely DJ Craze and Jazzy Jeff; these guys have been in my list of favourite DJs for a long, long time. I have been lucky enough to play with Craze a couple of times, but I'm still waiting for Jazzy to pick up the phone (hint hint). The rest I would say Gilles Peterson is one, as he always brings something fresh, and although you never really know what you will get with him, he is always a knockout! Laurent Garnier is another DJ I really rate. He plays some deep and hard Techno and Prog stuff a lot, but when he has come to do a DnB B2B with me he has always smashed it. Sometimes he brings out tunes that I've never heard before, which is great! My final person would be Stevie Wonder. Not the usual rave guest I know, but every rave should have ups and downs and Stevie would be the perfect person to bring the ravers back to reality with some heavy soul tunes played on a classy black grand piano. Actually, it's the afterlife so maybe a white piano.
How do you ever find the time to relax and how do you relax?
M: Relaxing is tough for me. Even when I am at home in Brazil and not playing any gigs I can't just go to the beach and read a book or something, I have to do something, whether it's shopping for vinyl, doing my podcasts and radio show or making tunes. What I do do to relax is spend quality time with my son. Because I travel so much, when I do get time to see him, it's nice to just relax and spend time with him. Sometimes we ride our bikes or just play some Playstation. Any time spent with him is good, relaxing, happy times.
How does your soul feel?
M: Pretty good with a nice blue aura
You once said that in a set the music has to come from within your soul and you let it out for the people. On the behalf of everyone that likes drum 'n' bass I would just like to say thank you. Thank you for the hours of happiness, I think you're great and it's an honour. There I said it.
M: Thanks! I always try and put my heart on my sleeve in my sets. The fans have taken time out and paid money to see me do my thing, so the least I can do is put on a good show for them. Thanks for the support!
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