Tools of the Trade: DJ Marky

Tools of the Trade: DJ Marky

25 July, 2011 | 2.43AM

• Written by: Dan Cole
• Filed under: Music News: dj marky, innerground, tools of the trade

We sat down with Brazil’s best loved drum ‘n’ bass DJ, DJ Marky, to find out more about his methods behind the decks: how he prepares (very little), what he wants from a warm-up DJ (not too hard, please), and his ideal set length (how long you got?). Read on for the interview, and don’t miss his new singles (with S.P.Y.) on his Innerground label, “Brainstorm"/"Kontraband” and “Yellow Shoes"/"Mystic Sunset”.

To begin with, tell us a little about your DJ setup.

I use Serato with vinyl and turntables, and use Dicer for loops and cue points. I’ve also recently started using my iPad as a third deck.

How do you organize your music?

I use iTunes with Serato, and organize my tunes by genre.

How many hours would you say you spend preparing music for an average gig?

I don’t spend time, per se, getting music ready for a gig. What I do before playing is make sure all my tunes have cue points. Done.

Do you make edits of tracks to play out, or do you pretty much play tunes “as is”?

Sometimes, yes, I make my own edits. Most of the tracks I edit are disco or funk tunes. When I play d’n’b, I kind of edit on the fly by creating loops in Serato.

What’s your favorite venue to play?

Tough question! There are many - Fabric in London, Womb in Tokyo, Vegas Club in Sao Paulo, Rex Club in Paris, and Home Club in Singapore - just to name a few.

What’s your ideal amount of time to play?

None of this one-hour business! Shabby! I like to play longer sets - minimum two hours, but preferably four!

In terms of technical ability, which DJs do you rate the highest?

Mix Master Mike is incredible. Number one.

Do you have any absolute don’ts when you play? Anything you absolutely won’t do?

I will never prepare a set, nor play the same set twice, and I’m not a fan of double drops.

When you’re headlining, what would you like to hear from the opening DJ?

What I don’t want is an opening deejay who absolutely tears it out! I’d like the warm-up deejay to be just that - to warm up the crowd, get them excited, but not exhaust them or fry their ears.

What technological innovation would you most like to have, as a DJ?

I’d say Serato 4, which allows you to have two computers input at the same time, and play four decks … but I already have one of those!

What’s the worst thing that’s ever happened to you onstage (technologically… or otherwise)?

Computer crashed. Worst. Nightmare.

Do you ever miss the days when all you had was a bag of records?

I miss this a lot. I really like playing vinyl, but now I’m used to the digital sound and what I can do with Serato that I can’t do with just vinyl. So do I miss playing vinyl? Yes and no…. but of course, I still buy vinyl.

Share some good music with us:
Peaktime favorite:

Marky & S.P.Y., “Yellow Shoes” [Innerground]

Marky & S.P.Y., “Brainstorm” [Innerground]

Opening track:

Marcus Intalex feat. S.P.Y., “Make a Raise” [Soul:R]

Closing track:

Jaydan, “Insatiable”

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