Interview met Marko (1996)
Interview with DJ Marko!
Since 3 years he's the Sunday DJ of LA ROCCA and so we decided to talk to him before he's off for another nights' work.
First of all tell us something about yourself. Is Marko your real name? How did it all start?
Marko (with 'K') is my real name. I'm nearly 25 and have been DJ-ing for 8 years. I started as most DJ's do, my parents had a restaurant and during wedding parties I jumped in as DJ. I stayed like that for quite a while: parties, parties, parties. Untill I got the chance to really start professionally at WHY NOT in Brussels. 3 Years ago I got the chance of a lifetime; I became the Sunday resident of LA ROCCA. At the same time I also played in AT THE VILLA, but I recently stopped there. Now I also work Saturdays in FUSE, where together with Trish I'm a resident DJ.
(Ricardo -laughing- Not too much publicity for FUSE! -Marko laughs)
A major career-move to join LA ROCCA, seen as one of the best clubs of Belgium. How did this come along?
Someone was supposed to play here but signed to BOCCACCIO. For me this was the chance of a lifetime. Eric B., who I knew, introduced me and that was it.
Any other places you play outside LA ROCCA and FUSE?
Yes, you can find me at the MAD CLUB in Brussels on Wednesdays. Thursdays I don't play to get some rest and Fridays I sometimes do House events.
Why did you leave AT THE VILLA?
Drugs, also the doormen weren't the friendliest around, but the main reason was that I had to play much too long. I started at midnight and ended at 10am. Recuperating only just I had to start at LA ROCCA, it got too much. My place is here at LA ROCCA, FUSE where I play the second floor is a lot "lighter" than AT THE VILLA.
What is your position on drugs, as they seem to have penetrated the world of top DJ's?
Everybody does and does not do what they like, but I can understand the enormous pressure of having to play always and everywhere can lead you to transgressing your personal limits and therefor lead to the use of drugs. I just hope that everybody understands the risks involved.
What do you think of today's Techno?
In general I see 3 evolutions in the genre: on one side there's the commercial music and on the other the underground stuff. In between you have Trance as it is played here in LA ROCCA. Too commercial makes you give in too much to the preferences of the crowd, your choice is severly limited and you can't play what you really would like to. Undergound I find a little too directed to a certain style of music, it hard to attract attention as a DJ and breaking through is nearly impossible. The ideal style for me is the middle ground between these extremes. People who hear my style for the first time should also enjoy it. If I would start playing Undergound here people would leave after an hour. My personal preferences are Deep Trance and Mellow.
How do you see the future of Techno? Will Techno die?
No, surely not. Before it was possible to talk of one genre. After that it started to grow in different directions like Deep and Hardcore. There were so many sub-genres and everybody stayed in his own little corner. I find that everything is coming together again. An example: a vocal line in Hardcore would have been totally out of the question until recently. There are more examples like this and these are signs that House and Techno are not dead. The evolution will be different.
Would you like to play huge raves like Mayday?
Not really. I prefer a club where I can create an atmosphere in a smaller crowd. Huge raves with 20.000 or 30.000 people and "heavy" music are not my style. You don't have any relation with the crowd.
Do you play outside Belgium?
In France I go to Montpellier and Marseille, but outside that not too often. I'm very content in Belgium.
Which of your colleagues do you like best?
Phi-Phi, I know him very well, and Franky Jones. For me Franky is, in his own style, number One. He's internationally known as one of the best DJ's.
Who are the DJ's to be reckoned with in the future?
Vince from AT HTE VILLA, Tom and also little Fred, the 19 year old son of Phi-Phi.
Excuse me?
I mean son in a spiritual way (laughs), because he plays the same style of music.
What qualities does a beginning DJ need to make it?
There are a lot of young kids who hope to become a top DJ. I am convinced you have to feel a ease with a lot of styles to have a solid base. I used to play Funk, Rap and Party music and I carry that musical culture with me, even now when I play Trance. It is important not to blind yourself staring at House, try to learn all of it. Mixing is something everybody can learn, but putting the right emotion in, letting the emotion come to the front when mixing, that's the art.
I suppose you, as every other known DJ, make records?
So far I have recorded 2 and next year I'm going in the studio with Phi-Phi. I've waited until I decided I was ready for it because making a record is not that hard, it becomes less evident when you want it to be good and put something personal in it.
Exactly the same what 100% Isis said. What do you think of her?
Bah, she isn't a DJ in my eyes, I'm sorry. She does a show to attract attention to herself and in the meantime she forgets the music. Other people I know think exactly the same: there's no construction in her sets. It's her boyfriend Marcello (red. ex-boyfriend) who buys her the records and she just copies his style, which of course doesn't work. There are a lot better female DJ's like Lady Aïda and Eva.
OK, I see you're jumping to get started. Thanks!
Interview by Wouter Van Calster
Courtesy of Jongerenmagazine MOVE-X.
