Interview: MARCO CAROLA – Born as a DJ!

Interview: MARCO CAROLA – Born as a DJ!

22 May, 2009 | 5.02PM

• Written by: Gorana Romcevic
• Filed under: Music News : 2m, marco carola

Marco Carola, one of the most influential techno DJs, discovered rhythm passion by playing drums, and continued with mixing practice. Neapolian spirit leaded him away from commercial, and created techno stronghold in his hometown. In the search for new inspiration, he lived in London and Frankfurt. Equally respected as a DJ and producer, he ran a few labels (Design, 1000, Zenit, Question, Do.Mi.No), and now he is releasing mostly for M_nus sublabels. After big success in techno field, he turned to minimal and deeper sound, still producing and playing worldwide..In this exclusive interview he discovered some details from the past and some future plans…

At your album Open System 2001 you provided whole range of different sounds, but techno oriented.  Than your sound went into deep, minimal direction. How have it started to change?

A few years ago I made a drastic change, I decided not to play in clubs where people expect a hard set from me. It was not an easy decision , but I didn`t feel like playing hard music.  If I have chosen to follow that style in order to be „successful“, I wouldn’t ever had that problem. So I do what I like and hope people understand and support my music.

Some of your colleagues says that 2009 is the year of techno and lot of producers are focused at similar beats. What is you opinion regarding this issue, from techno veteran point of view?  Is it a techno comeback or just a phase?

I don`t perceive music like something that comes and goes. Many people sees it that way, talking, judging styles, trends , bpm, etc… I listen, feel and create new music. I try to give a little support to the electronic scene, that’s it.

You are part of M_nus crew last couple of years, releasing for 2M, Plus 8… How the collaboration with Richie started? Where have two of you caught?

I know Richie for 15 years now. I’m from Napoli, where techno has been strong for a long time. We performed at many parties together and we respect each other as artists and as friends, so the collaboration came naturally.

Besides performing with Richie, do you have some other plans? Maybe to get involved in Contakt parties? Can you name one of the craziest experiences performing with them?

I’m playing in many M_nus events but I was not part of the Contakt show. We had many interesting stories but on of the craziest was probably in Miami, three years ago. During the M_nus party at Winter Music Conference, Richie was kicked out of the DJ booth from the bouncers, while he was playing! We all were a bit crazy, but we could have a fight with the club security! Now it’s funny to remember this story but at the time it was really scary.

You moved from Napoli ten years ago when it had little to offer to you and your ambitions. How is Italy scene now?

In the last couple of years, Italy experienced big change in music. The scene is musically richer, but the boom of rave and clubs in Italy already happened 10 years ago. It has always been a country with many parties, but genres of music has turned towards a more techno minimal style. That`s why many Italians are always present at the big events worldwide

You lived in London, Frankfurt… Where do you live now? How does your environment impacts your creativity – which way it inspires you?

At the time I went to live in Frankfurt, Italy was not ready for this kind of music. Living in these two cities made me learn a lot about the vision of techno music. I’m back in Napoli for the last few years. Everything can inspire you but it’s not easy to say how or what.

Back in the days, your labels Zenith and Question were well known. In your biography says that these “mysterious labels you never commented on”. What happened with it? 

That is a long story, I needed a big change so I moved back to my city, Napoli. I wanted to start working with a new team, my decision was to start from the zero again.

When you were younger, you created techno stronghold in Napoli, opposite to dominant house trends. Do you still have that rebellion moments, musicwise?

Before, house and techno had two completely different crowds, today it’s not like this anymore. As the techno beats were getting slower, many people started listening house music which was more and more couched by the new sound. Today, Italy is one of the strongest countries for minimal and techno music.

Are you still in contact with Gaetano Parisio, Rino Cerrone…? I haven`t heard much of them lately…

Yes, they are still really good friends of mine, when I have some free time I always try to go out with them.

Do you still play records or perform with softwares? You have numerous killing tracks – do you ever think of performing live-act?

I was born as a DJ and it is difficult for me to think of making a live set. I’m playing with Traktor Scratch with the vinyl control. I like to use this program, it allows me to play many special tracks, like some special edits I do in the studio, or new tracks that I test at night.

Have ever happened that female DJs try to use you for their career and own popularity?

Haha, I’m not a manager or promoter, I don’t think I have the power to help someone in this way… But that is a funny question

What music do you listen to, besides electronic?

Electronic…But when I’m home I prefer experimental strange stuff.

You remixed Loco Dice, Kabale und Liebe… what are plans for next remixes?

My next project is a remix for the upcoming Plus8 100 compilation.  I choosed to remix one of Richie’s most interesting tracks he ever made… The Wipe. 

What are you preparing in the studio these days? Any new compilation (like TimeWarp)? What are your plans for the summer?

I’m preapring an album right now… but it`s not easy to precise any release date yet. Therefore you will not listen so many EP’s from me this year.

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