1. Hi there Markus. First of all I would like to say that it's an honour to speak with who I consider to be the most prolific name within the EDM spectrum.
Markus Schulz: Not a bit guys... Thanks for having me!
2. Tell us more about Your new album, "Las Vegas '10" and when/where people can find it ?
Markus Schulz: The city, well Las Vegas is a place that I've been to a great deal over the last 18 months. I've been conscious for a while now just how much of a sizable part it has started to play on the US clubbing scene as a whole. The casinos have played a very smart hand indeed. They spotted 5 or 6 years back that for a place renowned - purpose-built even - for entertainment, that they was nothing tying them to slots and blackjack tables. They've evolved the city into a new US clubbing capital. The track-list, well that ties directly in. Every city responds in slightly different ways to different tracks.
As a DJ it's your job to spot which tracks make which floors work all harder. Many of the tracks on Las Vegas are tunes that I've had well ahead of their promo dates and had the luxury of trying out there. Based on those intrinsic sounds & styles that you can then look for the tracks that are about to come through that really fit the profile to complete the picture.
As for finding it, well it'll be out through iTunes on the 15th of February and the CD will be available from the 22nd through all good stores!
3. I'm going to preview some of the material from the album soon and I'm excited to hear it, so let's start with this track in particular, the Afterhours mix of "Dakota - Chinook". Being one of Your own track, under Dakota alias, please tell me further details about it.
Markus Schulz: I approached every track on the Dakota project with a deeper vibe and that remix in particular was inspired by nights out at the club. The track itself was inspired by one of my gigs in Canada and the whole time I spent there. So each track came about after an event or a gig that really moved me to create.
4. Your music is generally light-hearted and contain themes that EDM lovers can relate to. Was this always Your style and do You add anything special in Your upcoming album ?
Markus Schulz: It's all down to the individual's perception I suppose and on where you stand on other genres – I don't see my music being "lighthearted" as such. I think what I do is actually a deeper sound of trance. I've never really been into the super, over-the-top sound, I've always been into the darker, groovier, almost house grooves but I like more melodies so my sound has always been housey grooves with trancey melodies. If you combine that with big dark dirty basslines, there you go, that's it, the Markus Schulz sound.
I'm really pleased that you think EDM lovers can relate to it though!
5. Besides Las Vegas '10 what should fans be looking out for from Markus Schulz in the near future ?
Markus Schulz: A fair amount! I've got some really exciting Global DJ Broadcast World Tour dates coming up. Jan's was from the massive Together As One in Los Angeles on New Year's Eve and we've got Sao Paulo in Brazil for February. There's a new album coming in May/June 2010. I've been playing the tracks to Armada just this weekend gone and their reaction really blew me away! We also have Coldharbour's 100th release coming up which we're going to do some really special things for.
6. From Miami, Ibiza, Amsterdam, Toronto, Your album series have always maintained a distinct style, rhythm and subject matter that fans continue to appreciate. What "location" is next ?
Markus Schulz: You know what, this time last year, if you'd asked I would probably have told you it'd be Las Vegas in 2010. That city was a shoo-in. For '11 though I've got a shortlist of between 3 and 4 cities I'm thinking about. There's also an element that I want to see how the year goes and find that event or gig that really stands out and represents the whole year for me. When you've not made you mind up though its unfair to start mentioning places so I'm going to keep my lips sealed at the moment.
7. Within TranceSound.net we advocate that aspiring producers, remixers and future Djs strive to continuously gain knowledge. Are there any favourite magazines, book, movies, etc. that You would recommend to aspiring artists nowadays ?
Markus Schulz: Any time I can pick up issues of Computer Music and Music Tech, I will. There is always something I can learn there. But the best advice I could give would be to spend time getting into your gear and really learn it. I find some of the best stuff spending the extra time going through the plug ins and presets of my own gear.
8. You have undoubtedly come in contact with many aspiring producers and not only, over the years. What is one of the things You have noticed they have the most trouble with ?
Markus Schulz: Finding your groove and sticking to it. So many producers and DJs try to be all things to all people and it just can't happen. You can't possibly have a true representation of yourself if you are trying to please everyone. It just isn't possible. Find the genre of music that really moves and inspires you and stick to it.
9. Yourself being a prolific EDM pioneer, what do You think the biggest difference is between producers trying to make it 10 years ago and the ones trying to make it today ?
Markus Schulz: The short answer to your question is... competition! There's 100 times as many producers trying to make it in 2010 as there was in 2000 and that's made a huge difference. That's all down to the way that studio technology has evolved. In 2000 you needed a studio packed to the nines with hardware right from the off.
Nowadays you really just need a computer and music creation software to get started. The access point has become so much wider. It's made it tougher in terms of competition, but the quality level has risen, and that very much needed to happen!
10. Speaking of that, what do You credit for Your longevity ?
Markus Schulz: Not flooding the scene with masses of music and being true to the music I create. It took some time but I found my own sound and I want to keep with it. Not exactly the same but I want it to evolve naturally, not do something forced or contrived because I think that's what is popular. There are some artist that crank out new tunes every week.
They get overexposed and the desire to hear their new stuff wears thin fast. Every time one of their tracks comes by you know already exactly what it is going to sound like. I don't want to make disposable music. I want to take time and really be inspired and put feeling and heart into the tunes.
11. Running Your own label, what qualities do You appreciate most about the artists You're supporting, either personal or skill-related ?
Markus Schulz: As I said above I appreciate it when the artist develops their own unique style – that is key. That's the most important thing. Playing the big clubs and festivals I have a very good understanding for arrangements. If the artist is open to it I will always offer my input on that end on something I'm very keen on playing, signing or both. Sometimes when an artist is so close to a project it takes an outside point of view to just suggest something simple that makes everything fall into place.
12. Thanks a lot for helping to guide The TranceSound.net EDM visitors with Your insights. It's been a pleasure all the way. Do You have any last word for everyone reading this amazing exclusive interview ?
Markus Schulz: Only to say many thanks for having me and I hope you enjoy listening to the Las Vegas '10 compilation as much as I did compiling and mixing it!
Interview made by Cosmin Lukacs (TranceSound.net admin/founder)
Links:
Markus Schulz official website
Markus Schulz @ MySpace
Cosmin Lukacs official website
Cosmin Lukacs @ MySpace
TranceSound.net official website
