Mark Knight world tour: Week 1

Mark Knight world tour: Week 1

25 June, 2009 | 3.01PM

• Written by: Beatportal
• Filed under: Music News: mark knight, mark knight tour, toolroom

British sensation Mark Knight kick started his world tour last week in the US. He’s been keeping a diary for us.

Here is the first weekly installment of the Toolroom boss’ tour blog, featuring a day-by-day reflection of his life on the road that gives some insight into his world.

This week Twitter, remixes, online haters, forthcoming Toolroom tracks and a Black Eyed Peas production all feature.

Day 1

Just sat on the plane en-route to Phoenix to kick off week one of the of the US leg of my world tour. I’m going a day early, which is really unlike me, but BA only fly every other day to Phoenix and after the weekend I’ve just had, there could be worse places in the world to chill by the pool and catch your breath.

Planes are great for two things - firstly catching up with emails and all the A&R side of what I have to do for Toolroom. Secondly, it’s great for starting ideas for tracks. I’ve got a pile of music to go through, with new bits from Tiger Stripes and Koen Groeneveld. 

Pick of the bunch - a new track from Richard Dinsdale, I think we’ll pick this one up. I’ve also got lots of paper work to sort out for my new track with D. Ramirez and Underworld. When I get all the office side of things done it’s time to boot up Ableton. I start a dub mix of a track we’ve signed from Pete Grifiths called ‘Speak The Secret’ (Pete’s the label manager at Toolroom).

I know exactly how to do the mix, opting for a groovy and percussive sound. I’m playing loads of this sort of stuff when I can at the moment. By the time I get the track rocking we are nearly there. Sweet! Those ten hours flew by.

I’m first off the plane and straight through customs, which is a result as it can take forever! Driver is waiting and it’s straight to the hotel which is amazing. I quickly check my emails, download some new promos, send a few ‘Tweets’ which I’m slowly getting sucked into… then bed.

Day 2

Not the best start as I made a traveling school boy error - I was so tired when I arrived, that I fell asleep by 7.30pm, and wake up at 3am. Bollocks!

If I’m up I might as well make use of the time differance and catch up with the office. A quick conferance call with the boys to discuss our plans for various things including our Ibiza compilation and also my thoughts for who to use for remixes of the classic ‘Zoe’ by Paganini Trax.

I had a quick check on iTunes for ‘Rock That Body’, the track that Funakgenda, David Guetta, and myself wrote and produced for the Black Eyed Peas. It’s the 2nd biggest selling track off the album, and it’s pretty much number one everywhere. Well chuffed with that.

In my haste to get off the plane I left my head phones on there, so couldn’t continue with the mix for Petes record. It did mean I could give my CD wallet a long overdue sort out. Burnt up loads of new bits. Looking forward to tonight, never played in Phoenix.

Last check of the emails and download a new track from Tom Neville and The Stafford Bros which is amazing! Very much a ‘last record of the night’ style with an awesome vocal. Called Tom straight away and told him we are in for it.

Head out at 11.30pm as I am playing at 12. Get to Cream and the crowd is really good for a Wednesday night with a big queue out front.

First thing I notice when I walk in is the sound system, which is bad (meaning good)! Start off really groovy and deep and slowly build it up. Finish with Tom’s new one, which is instant. Don’t usually play vocals, but this is so good. Proper anthem.

Big tunes of the night were Reset Robot ‘Do The Slot’ and Wilson Smallwood and Ingram ‘Perfect Sunrise’ (D-Unity Mix).

Wilson Smallwood & Ingram ‘Perfect Sunrise’ (D-Unity Mix)

Wrapped up at 2am and then back to the hotel. Gave Tom a quick bell with my feedback. Thought it could do with a bit more bottom end and the chorus needed to come back in 16 bars after the second drop.

Then it’s bed. Denver Tomorrow.

Day 3

Another beautiful day here in Phoenix, again up early for some reason, my body won’t let me sleep more than four hours, which is driving me mad! Just time to hit the gym, then off to the airport for Denver.

If I come back to Phoenix I’m definitely going to try and catch a couple of days of holiday here, as apparently there are 447 golf course in this area, or so i was informed by the driver. One surely has to be wide enough for my driving.

On the flight, I switch between working on the dub for Pete and listening to some old school hip hop. How ruff were Das Efx? Bad boy flow! Reminds me of some great nights, back in the day at the Starlight Club in London.

Arrive in Denver and hook up for dinner with Jonas, Liz, Terry, and Dragon from Beatport. Italian was great. The conversation touches on the state of the industry. Then it’s Beta time.

A great warm up from Dragon who held it down really well. I wanted to play a bit deeper, but you could feel the crowd were bang up for it, so I had to push it earlier than I wanted to, but all good. I love playing in Denver, the crowd is clued up and were asking for all the right tracks.

I’ve been road testing ‘Sophisticated Simplicity’ the new one from myself and MTV, and tonight it was by the far best reaction. Just need to nail the mix down, a bit less kick and open the mix up a bit, but it’s getting there.

Been great working with my hombre MTV. It’s always a breeze and the vibe is great. I know he has been flat out in the studio, look out for his mix of the Believers ‘Believe In Me’ on Strictly Rhythm, it’s ruff.

Again another great night. Back to the hotel quick and sign off on Twitter. I think I’m getting addicted…

Day 4

No matter how much people tell you to ignore it, it always gets me when people mindlessly have a go at you on the net. Don’t get me wrong, I’m totally up for constructive criticism and relish feedback, but when people are just bitter it does hurt, especially when you always try to give 110%.

I suppose I will just have to become thicker skinned. I mean look at the abuse footballers get when they play football, you just got flip it and use it as motivation to be the best you can be, and that’s all you can do.

People should concern themselves more with that attitude than being so negative to others. Surely it would breed a more healthy scene? Sorry, just had to get that off my chest, otherwise it spins around in your head.

On a more positive note, just got some great news. I’ve been asked to play at the iTunes festival at The Round House in Camden, London. The line up is ridiculous, everyone from Oasis to Snowpatrol playing, and from dance music it’s myself and David Guetta. Well chuffed. Tonight is Houston, just check the weather forecast, 97 degrees. Nice!

I’m doing a new track with Koen Groenveld, so I make a start on the plane. Got a wicked idea, so get it down straight away. Get to the airport and hook up with Adam the promoter and Micheal Myer, who are two top guys, and make a plan for dinner.

Adam said tonight was looking great, there is a good buzz on the gig. I get there about 12.30 as I was on at 1am. Start with something brand new from Muzzaik, which sets the tone perfectly. I did say to myself I wasn’t going to drink tonight, but before I knew it the birthday celebrations had started a bit early and the Jagermeister was coming think and fast. I played till 4.30am and finished again with Tom’s new track. It’s going to be massive!

Big tunes of the night was Roog’s edit of Michel Cleis ‘La Mezcla’ and Milton Channels mix of Hector Couto ‘Arabe’. I must get him on a mix for us, he’s doing some great stuff.

Get back to the hotel with everything slightly spinning ......lights out!

Hector Couto ‘Arabe’ (Milton Channels Mix)

Day 5

Ouch! Wake up with my head pounding. No better way to start a birthday! Was well chuffed to have recieved texts from my family and friends, all wishing me happy birthday.

The last show of the week is Toolroom Knights at Vanguard. BIG! I’m doing five shows at Vanguard this year, and this is the third one. All so far have been great. Going to hook up with my girlfriend and some friends for a few days afterwards in L.A. which will be really nice.

The hardest part of this job, as any DJ will tell you, is trying to retain a balance between having a normal life and spinning all the plates of work that you have to do. So, when these sort of opportunities come you have to make them work for you.

Been to L.A. lots of times, but never had time to hang. It’s always been in and out so looking forward to having time to explore. For some reason I’ve always wanted to go to Venice beach.

Arrive at the hotel and meet up with my girlfriend. Haven’t seen her for two weeks, was great to meet her there. The view from our room is breathtaking. The plan was for us to go to Fogo De Chao, which is one of my favourite restaurants in the world, the one in Sao Paulo is the nuts. If you love meat you got to check this place. They relentlesly bring round different cuts of mainly beef, which literaly melts in your mouth...amazing.

Then it was time to get to the club. John Graham was playing first, he was rocking it. No warming up here, start with a re-edit of ‘What The Fuck’ and Koen’s mix of Mark Trophy ‘Ripper’ whilst Beth from Vanguard presented me with a birthday cake, which apparently she baked herself. Big up Beth!

Funkagenda, Fatboy Slim ‘What The Fuck’

Mark Trophy ‘Ripper’ (Koen Groeneveld Remix)

The great thing about touring is that you play every night and get into a groove. Tonight’s flow was tight, which for me is the most pleasing thing about doing a good gig. I like to weave between styles and it’s nailing those link tracks at the right time which is what it’s all about.

Tonight was the best gig of the tour so far, the scene in L.A. is really strong and every track went off. All in all a great birthday.

Got a few days off before back at it next Wednesday. Catch up then. Will tell you what Venice beach is like.

Mark xx

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