Marco Bailey talks to Proactive
Reported by Joanna McEwen
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Submitted 23-10-07 16:39
In a time of fragmentation and attempted unity, music is always the answer. We know that, even if others don’t, which is why DJs who can represent us hold dear. Marco Bailey is one who does. Seeing the crowd react to his music at our Party Proactive arena at this summer’s 070707 festival is the reason he’s been asked back to play for our last party of 2007. His set – energizing, intelligent and free of pretension – gave the tent the perfect party vibe and that’s exactly what we all did! But then, he is one of the world’s leading techno DJs.
DJing and making tracks since 1994, Marco Bailey, as Belgium’s Number 1 techno DJ, has a history that reads like a dance music manual. Early successes with trance tracks such as This Is My Groove released on the legendary Bonzai label, were followed with releases on Zync, Subsounds and Primate and by the late 90s his techno sound began to emerge. By 2000 Carl Cox had picked up on his talent and he became the third ever producer to release on the then new Intec imprint. The same year Marco and his friend, the Spanish techno artist, Christian Varela, joined forces to create the hugely popular Pornographic Recordings. He has also set up MB Elektronics (in 2002) and MB Selektions (2005), where you’ll find his own tracks alongside producers such as Axel Karakasis, Eric Sneo, DJ Preach, Umek and Claude Young.
Popping up consistently in playlists from luminaries like Adam Beyer and Fergie to Jeff Mills and Sven Vath, a huge amount of compilations have featured his name – EP’s as diverse as Luke Slater’s, Fear and Loathing, Fabric 09, I ♥ Techno and Judge Jules Presents. He’s also guested on radio shows across the world including the UK’s Radio 1; and spun at clubs and festivals across the globe from Tokyo to Russia, the Middle East and South America. All in all confirming Marco’s position as one of the world’s leading techno producers and DJs - his influence over the scene undeniable.
Hi Marco, I hope this finds you well. How was the rest of your summer since we saw you last?
It was nice , there were many nice festivals - Monegros in Spain, Tomorrowland in Belgium, Dance Valley in Holland, a nice gig in Ibiza's Meganite and also the Proactive tent for Antiworld was cool except the cold weather that day, but I had a nice summer tour through Europe!
You¹ve been DJing since you were 18. Have you ever had any other jobs or have you always worked in the music industry?
I did professional sports (motorcross & cycling) from 14 until I was 18, then I had to stop due to a serious accident where I broke a shoulder & arm. Soon after I went out to clubs and was immediately into DJing & the music of course! Not even a year later I was behind the decks every day in a club at the coastside in Belgium where the clubs are open every day during the summer season. At first I played funk & hip hop, later house and now Techno.
I started Session Recordings 10 years ago with Marc (DJ Zzzino). He has also been my partner in setting up parties in Belgium for many years
I read that as well as the labels listed above you also run Session and Red Factory, is that right?
Session Recordings was the first label, but that’s now stopped. Redfactory is run by Steve (Redhead) another partner & friend’s label.
Your own mix compilations including 160 Minutes of Marco Bailey (2002), Positive Disorder (2004) and your latest, Live in Ageha Tokyo (2007) have all displayed a wide range of musical tastes within the world of techno. How important is it for you to be able to explore different styles?
I think it’s very, very important to explore different styles! It’s really important for a complete DJ or Artist! Something many promoters and people forget. I know a lot of great DJs behind the decks, but they play years and years of the same boring style, on and on they never change or maybe they don't want to change. It's nice to get known for something by the people etc. but hey?! After I hearing that type of DJ five times playing it's, for me, bye bye, I’ve heard it, even when they can play with 3 or 4 or 6 decks! That's why I always try to combine minimal with electro & techno and even sometimes a bit of electronica. Why not ?!
Playing across the globe, do you find countries appreciate different aspects to your sound?
Yes, in Japan I always get the biggest respect! South America is also amazing!
You average about four releases a year but I assume you make much more than to include in your DJ sets?
Before it was more like 8 or 9 releases a year. Now I try to take much more time out to work on just 1 release. It's getting tighter nowadays and working longer on a release or album can only make it better I think, it’s never too late to learn or try to make things better.
With your last album being out in 2004 (Rude Boy), do you have any plans to bring out another?
Yes, Tom and I are working quite hard every weekday to get another one out at the beginning of 2008!
I was going to ask about the increase in collaborations you’ve done with Tom Hades when I read he was your best friend and you now work out of the same studio. That would explain it then! You obviously have one style and Tom another – do you find you’re creating a third sound by collaborating together?
Tom is my best friend. First we had each our own studio but after working many times together we made one big studio and put all our equipments together. It goes very smooth and well and we never have any arguments, it's great! Also we want to include other "real musicians" in our album and bring them then also on stage for our LIVE project next year! Watch out! Laurent Garnier does this also and I think what he presents on stage with the people around him who are playing saxophone or keyboard is amazing!
A leading dance music site had the majority of its readers voting you as “exceptional”. What is it about you, and others, that takes a DJ from good to exceptional?
No idea, that’s a good question for the people, no?
You and many other techno DJs have been experimenting with the slower sound of minimal. Whilst we at Party Proactive love a wide variety of music it has to be said, we do love music with some oomph to it. From the overview that experience gives you, do you think there is space in the dance scene for both?
There is also minimal with bollocks, just like good techno with bollocks!
As one of the world’s top DJs you get to hang out in some pretty cool places but I know you work really hard too. What would say is the best and the worst thing about making a career in dance music?
Best thing is staying true to yourself while giving people a great time with a smile just like Carl Cox! Worst thing is that some promoters or people judge you while they don't know you or have no idea what music and techno is all about, just booking some commercial easy DJ and the club is full. Good for the pocket ok but it’s wrong altitude for the scene.
With your Pornographic label mission statement being “to give new talent a chance; people who have never released something before” and your MB Elektronics releasing tracks from many unknowns, have you had any success stories from people you have given an opportunity to who have then gone on to further success?
Many people I think have had a good take off with us - check Tom Hades, Redhead, Axel Karakasis and Ortin Cam for example. All these people released their first tunes on my labels and they still going strong now!
I’d like to end with a quote that somebody wrote about your Pornographic label on discogs.com which you may not have seen – I think it sums up perfectly what your music stands for. Enjoy!
Definitely - No music is no Joy; just like no sex is no joy for me also!
“This label spotlights established talent alongside great new comers. Its overall flavor holds the typical recipe to energetic, driving club techno that gets play from Umek, Bailey, Redhead and friends. There is sufficient amounts of under-rated artists such as Eric Sneo, Adam Jay, Bando, Axel Karakasis being displayed which is probably Pornographic Recording's biggest asset. Its image is done very well also. PORN010 2X12" was released with a g-string panty which boasted the stick figure logo on the back. I had it up on my wall for about six months until I gave it to a very special guest one night during a party...she put it on in front of everyone & danced in it for the rest of the party...I did not have the balls to ask for it back...but I would like to thank Christian Varela and Bailey for including the g-string.”
Now that’s what I call Proactive, Baby!
Photos courtesy of Marco Bailey, Party Proactive and The HarderFaster archive. Not to be reproduced without permission
Party Proactive: Fright Night!
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On:
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Saturday 3rd November 2007
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At:
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Turnmills [map]
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From:
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22:00 - 06:00
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Cost:
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£10 EARLY BIRD / £14 ADVANCE / £16 PAYING GUEST LIST / £ 18 DOOR
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Website:
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www.proactivepresents.com
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Ticket Info:
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Tickets and Paying Guest List
Advance Tickets £14 / Paying Guest List £16 / Door £18
VERY LIMITED 100 EARLY BIRD TICKETS AT £10!
Ticketweb (24hr Credit Card Bookings): 08700600100 / www.ticketweb.co.uk
Viewtickets ( Online ticket sales, 24 hour credit card bookings): www.viewtickets.co.uk
Clubtickets (by 5 get 1 free): 08702462050 / www.clubtickets.com
Proactive HQ: 07814179946 / brainless66@hotmail.com
Cyberdog (Camden Market): 0207 4822842
For tickets and paying guest list email maria@toomuchbutneverenough.com
www.toomuchbutneverenough.com 07813684399
Cash Sales at LondonHelp4u-72 Wells St W1T 3QF-London
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Buy Online:
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Click here to buy tickets
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More:
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Well another year and another incredible time for Party Proactive. Over the past several months, Party Proactive has consistently delivered the best events in London and the UK, with a host of international superstars from across the globe and only the very best up and coming talent.
As the doors close on our simply awesome September event, in a time when clubs are struggling and numbers are down, Party Proactive defied the trend once again and delivered another sell-out party at the legendary Turnmills. Not surprising when you consider we have a unique combination of four rooms of only the very best in cutting edge dance music, original décor and a crowd that’s as Colourful and Courageous as they are Ready to Party!
On Saturday 3rd November we will be delivering our final event of 2007 and sadly to say this will be our last event till early 2008 – now that’s one hell of a long time to wait for the next instalment of Party Proactive!
So without further delay we present our Halloween spectacular
KISS KISS : FRIGHT NIGHT!
Saturday 3rd November, Turnmills, London
A Kiss for you, a kiss for me, a party dance or three.
A world of normalcy makes finding space where you are free
just to be, a rare and treasured find - to party is the respite.
So embrace the weird, embrace the wonder this Kiss Kiss : Fright Night!
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Region:
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London
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Music:
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Trance. Hard Trance. Psy Trance. Nu NRG. Hi NRG. House. Funky House. Hard House. Tribal House. Techno.
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DJ's:
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T1 – Techno, Psytrance, Hard Beats, Tribal
Marco Bailey (MB Elektronics)
DJ Preach
Sutekh (Antiworld)
Andy Farley
Pete Wardman
K.A.R.L.
T2 – House, Electro, Breaks, Progressive
DJ Paulette (Radio FG / Mix Paris)
Bryan Cox (Weapon Records NYC)
Jacob Moss
Steelo
Ben Gomori
Dan Warb
Two more rooms of the best music hosted by London/s hottest up and coming promotions!
VIP (Open to all) - Hosted by Never Enough Maria
Eduardo Herrera www.myspace.com/djeduardoherrera
Miss Cupcake www.myspace.com/misscupcakedj
Eddie Santos www.myspace.com/djeddiesantos
Gianni Morisco www.myspace.com/dj_giannimoris
Juno Room - Hosted by Bete Noire
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Other Features By Joanna McEwen:
Ticon the matter seriously
Riding the frequencies with Hertz
The Many Faces of Paul Maddox
Axel Karakasis Gets Proactive
Proactive Gets Dejavoo!
The views and opinions expressed in this review are strictly those of the author only for which HarderFaster will not be held responsible or liable.
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