Techno heroes: Mark Broom interview

Techno heroes: Mark Broom interview

21 July, 2008 | 7.06AM

• Written by: Lee Smith
• Filed under: Music News: mark broom

With the recent re-emergence of artists like Russ Gabriel, B12 and Schatrax, it feels like there’s a bit of a renaissance in the air for lovers of classic British techno.

But one DJ/producer who’s been constantly releasing and DJing for over 16 years is London-based Mark Broom, purveyor of finely-tuned, darkly tinged electronic sounds of the highest order.

Ahead of his hotly-tipped new release for 2020 Vision, we caught up with Mark while he was on vacation in the quaint British seaside town of Cromer.

You can read his replies after the jump.

You’ve seen a lot come and go in techno. What are the main differences in the music and the scene between now and when you started out?

Well, when I started out, the technology wasn’t as advanced as today.

So back then in early ‘90s, it felt kind of special when you went into a studio and had the chance to make music.

As for the scene, well I think there was a good techno community in the old school days, and I have great memories of going to places like Fat Cat records and City Sounds [classic vinyl shops], meeting producers and hanging out, listening to the latest tunes.

Also Colin Dale’s Kiss FM show was a big bonus in the early years, as he would gives us the best techno tunes live and direct each and every week.

Do you think techno is still a futuristic style of music?

It can be at times.

With techno, people always seem to be pushing the boundaries, so it’s still the freshest style for me.

The last couple of years have seen your release schedule go through the roof. Why do you think this is?

Because I’ve been productive!

It’s been good for me to work with many different labels.

I’ve just signed up with 2020 Vision, which is a label I’ve followed over the years.

What new techno music excites you right now?

There are so many cool tracks around at the moment, I don’t have time to mentioned them all.

I really love the Marcel Dettman remix of Deetron coming out on Music Man, and I also love Dustin Zahn‘s stuff.

Also, Mihalis Safras, Ting Chuggy, and D1 records.

And who are your all time heroes?

Robert Hood is one of my favourite techno producers - he has that magic touch when it comes to music!

Do you believe techno will last forever as a musical form?

Hmmm...can’t answer that one.

Out of everything you’ve done, is there a release or other achievement you feel proudest of?

Some of my favourites are ‘Twenty Nine’ on Bpitch Control, the Visitor album on D1, and also my first and only solo album, ‘Angie is a Shoplifter’ on Pure Plastic.

What do you have coming up?

There’s the ‘Black Russian EP’ on 2020 Vision, a collaboration with Mihalis Safras called ‘Crabsticks’ on Material, a Broom and Zahn EP on Enemy Records, and a Mark Broom and Two Emm collaboration called ‘Bournewood’.

Plus I’m doing remixes for Dubfire, Plus 8, Saved Records, Material and many others…

Do you think, honestly, it was it better in the old days? Or are you still as excited by techno as ever?

Still love it, still playing it, still making it!

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