1. Hi there Mac & Taylor, how are You guys ?
Mac & Taylor: Hi TranceSound.net we are very well thanks.
2. Can You please tell us Your necessary background details so we can build on basics for the rest of the interview ? For example: who You are, projects You have worked on, people You have worked with...
Mac & Taylor: Well working under the alias "Mac and Taylor" we are two tech trance Dj's/Producers from the Liverpool area of the UK. Over the past few years we have had around 40 original productions and remixes out on numerous labels including Armada, Captivating, Couture, CGI, Beyond etc etc. We don't really collaborate with other artists as there is already 2 of us and as the saying goes "too many chefs.." you know the rest. We have worked with a few people in the past including good friends of ours Claudia Cazacu and Jordan Suckley and both tracks seemed to work very well so maybe this is something you may see from us again!
3. Lets start with the 2009, what gave You so far ?
Mac & Taylor: 2009 so far has seen us confirmed for some huge gigs around the world including Planet Love festival in Ireland, Citadela in the Czech Republic along Deadmau5, an Australian tour and numerous other amazing dates to be confirmed, on the dj'ing front we are very excited. As for the music production side of things we are working every minute in the studio on plenty of great tracks so you will be hearing a lot more from us this year.
4. What are your current or upcoming events within the UK so far ?
Mac & Taylor: We will be appearing at gigs all around the UK over the remainder of this year including: Goodgreef@The view in Frodsham, Cheshire, Temper Temper @ Club V in Glasgow, Scotland, Branded @ Alter ego in Manchester, Korect @ Byblos Scotland, Audio Liquid Birmingham, Planet Love Fairyhouse racecourse Ireland.
5. You're from Liverpool, UK. What has the Mac & Taylor got to offer EDM wise ? Can you tell us a bit more about the EDM scene there ?
Mac & Taylor: As you have already covered you will be hearing a lot more from us this year. As for the EDM scene here in the UK goes, as you know it is the home of the well known and established brands including Goodgreef, Cream, Gatecrasher and Godskitchen so we would like to say it is thriving.
6. As an active producers from outside of London what do You think about the EDM scene in the UK ? How do You think the rest of the country fits into the London-centric nature of the scene ?
Mac & Taylor: Well in our opinion there is an equal amount of demand for all genres scattered about in each city which is great!
7. What made You want to get into EDM in the first place ? What have You been through to get here ?
Mac & Taylor: Well our stories and musical influences are pretty much identical, both finding interest and getting involved in the scene around 14 years ago, we have devoted all our time and passion to it, with many obstacles in our way. So to reach the point in our careers that we have is a dream come true!!
8. What can You tell me about one of Your well known track, called "Twisted" being remixed by Karl G ?
Mac & Taylor: To be honest even this track was released under the Mac and Taylor Alias, it was more of a experimental project as you can probably tell by it's euphoric sound. So we chose one of the best un noticed (in our opinion) talents for this sound to remix it and he did a second to none job.
9. Kinda harsh one now indeed, please tell me how's the situation between You two guy, who's the producer who's the Dj ? or else how do You work things out while mixing and also while producing ?
Mac & Taylor: Not harsh at all we are both producers and dj's with an equal input both in the studio and in the dj box. We can assure you that we are totally independent in everything we do (unlike annoyingly alot of so called producers in the industry today).
10. Please tell me what's the deal with Claudia Cazacu's Couture ?
Mac & Taylor: Well we met Claudia a few years ago through MySpace when she approached us about two of our tracks and we have worked for her label Couture ever since.
11. Have You ever been given some invaluable advice when it comes to producing ? What tips and tricks would You give to an aspiring EDM producer ?
Mac & Taylor: To be honest other than words of encouragement we can't think of any words of advice that have helped us along the way. Our words of advice would be "Take inspiration from music you like but never try to imitate it!"
12. Your track "Dark lights" been hammered several times in a row by the "Judge of the Jules" of BBC Radio 1, therefore receiving a lot of of support from major Djs such as Sander van Doorn, Agnelli & Nelson and also huge support from Claudia Cazacu, and so many others. Please tell me further details about it if I have missed anything.
Mac & Taylor: Dark light was a great release for us which was supported by pretty much all of the big guns so... thanks for the support guys :-)
13. So as far as the local scene goes, which club nights, spots, and that are You into guys ?
Mac & Taylor: Well, fortunately we both live within 10 miles of a club called Nation which is the home of "Cream" so we would say this is a favorite spot of ours.
14. As about myself, I am more into Vocal Trance, therefore if You would have the chance to get Yourself into a studio with a top female vocalist, who would that be and why ?
Mac & Taylor: It would definitely be Maire Brennan from Clannad
15. How would You describe Your sound ? Is there a possible record that would best define Your style ?
Mac & Taylor: We would describe our sound as big room, dirty and hard. The track which would best define our style would have to be "Dirty".
16. Now, I have another question for both of You please... Who have been Your biggest musical influences and which EDM producers have inspired You so far and still does ?
Mac & Taylor: To list a few Judge Jules, John o'callaghan, the Audio Bullys, Paul Oakenfold, Marco V all these have been huge influences.
17. If You would have to choose for 3 things when it comes to music, what are Your three pieces of equipment that You value most when it comes to production ?
Mac & Taylor: Our favorite toy in the studio has to be the Access Virus TI synth amazing piece of equipment our Carillon PC and monitors!
18. Let's go back to production, telling me what process do You go through when writing a record ? Do You start with a tune, a sample, a drum beat or a concept ? What happens next ?
Mac & Taylor: Well, we are often asked this question but it is difficult to answer, starting every track is always different but we mainly always start by scattering ideas around on screen until we have enough there to sequence it.
19. You have worked with some big name so far, but You have also worked with singers and musicians too, not to mention that You got several remixes from top notch artists as well. Now please tell me how does it differ working with each kind of artist ?
Mac & Taylor: Well as we spoke about in question 2 as there are already two of us it is quite hard to collaborate with other artists, but on the same hand it can be refreshing having new input and ideas thrown into the mix.
20. How do you prefer to work when collaborating with artists worldwide ? Do You both get in the studio and write together along with them or is there a separate process ?
Mac & Taylor: Well, in an ideal world we would always prefer to have whomever we are collaborating with there in the studio with us but internet collaborations can work just as well..
21. Now, we are getting closer and closer to an end of this exclusive interview, what a pleasure indeed, but what can You tell me, when it comes to tell me where Mac & Taylor would be in 5 years from now ?
Mac & Taylor: We can assure you that we will still be doing our things and would hope that we re still receiving the support that we are now.
22. Is there anything else You would like to mention to anyone reading this exclusive interview, and the TranceSound.net readers ?
Mac & Taylor: I think we have pretty much covered everything and would like to thank everyone for reading and for all the support. Thanks guys.
Thank You very much guys for Your time, such a pleasure indeed.
Interview made by Cosmin Lukacs (TranceSound.net admin/founder).
Links:
Mac & Taylor official website
Mac & Taylor @ MySpace
Cosmin Lukacs official website
Cosmin Lukacs @ MySpace
New-Wave Management official website
