Marc Marzenit
Marc Marzenit is one of techno’s up and coming talents. A visitor to Sonar in his teens, and a label owner (his own Paradigma Muzik) in his early 20s, his productions are played by everyone from Sasha and Umek to Tiesto and Eric Prydz. Now, five years on, with over twenty releases under Paradigma’s wing, he’s now a DJ that’s in demand across Europe and beyond. We caught up with him ahead of a headlining set at Brixton’s Jamm on 9th December at Legacy to talk about how he got where he is today.
So, how are you and where are you? I’ve just taken a break from the studio and I’m sitting in a coffee bar in Mollerussa (Spain). I’m so happy but also stressed out working on a special concert for my alter ego “Suite on Clouds” on the 3rd and 4th of December. It’s a big project with 8 violins, grand piano, harp, orchestral percussion and visuals made by 3D mapping technology.
You’re in London on the 9th December for Legacy at Jamm in Brixton with King Unique and Alex & Filip. What are you looking forward to most about the night? When I play with King Unique there’s only one thing I can expect…. an epic, fantastic, and crazy gig. And seeing the line up with these other fantastic artists, there’s no doubt it’s going to be an amazing night.
Your list of gigs have taken in some of the biggest festivals this year. How does that compare to playing an intimate venue like Jamm? I love to play in small venues, you can feel the people much better than a big festival. The electronic music comes from small clubs, I think it’s so important to have this kind of gig to feel the essence of underground music.
How often do you play in London? What have been your favourite things about the city on previous visit? I’m so happy to play back in London, my last gig was one year ago in a Bedrock Showcase with John Digweed, Guy J and many others. London has a traditional electronic music culture scene, people have so much knowledge about electronic music. I took all the weekend off for London. Any suggestion?
The modern, room-filling techno you’ve been making over the last decade has found fans on Bedrock, with everyone from Sasha and Digweed to Eric Prydz and Sharam. For those that don’t know your productions, how would you describe your style? It’s really difficult to describe your own sound, to be honest I make the music I like, I don’t care what the style it is, but probably the closest description would be like… Deep Progressive Techno?
There are many variations on techno over its history. If you could’ve worked with one techno artist, who would you choose and why? Probably Laurent Garnier, he’s a pioneer of techno and an eclectic Dj. His sound keeps evolving and I love his shows with musicians.
What did you listen to when you were growing up as a kid? I listened to all kind of music like Pink Floyd, Alan Parsons Project, Hardcore, Acid House, techno…
Who inspires you in music today? My inspiration comes from a mix of old classic albums like Pink Floyd’s “Dark Side of the Moon” or Mike Oldfield’s “The Sounds Of Distante Earth”, to latest techno producers like Gary Beck, Maetrik or Cired D.
As a relatively young producer you started your own label, Paradigma Musik in 2006, and since then you’ve had music from Henry Saiz, David Keno, Anthony Collins and Gavin Herlihy. What’s the secret of running a successful label in 2011? Right now I’m running the label so slowly, my partners who helped me start it left last year and it’s so difficult to find time to do it by myself. Anyways, the only secret is to find a team in your label, and create a family.
How hard is it to stand out when there are so many labels compared to even five years ago? I think now it’s much easier because everybody releases on digital and the expenses on a release are much cheaper than before. I remember few years ago being afraid to lose money in a release due to the high cost of making a vinyl. Now the cost is just the mastering.
What’s been your favourite release on the label? The first one, as usual — the first time is always special 
You play all around Europe. What’s been your favourite gig over the past 12 months? Closing the main stage at Creamfields Andalucia.
As a teenager you visited Sonar to take in the electronic music scene in Spain. What were your best memories of those early years? I clearly remember watching the concerts of Les Rythmes Digitales, Jay Jay Johanson, Laurent Garnier. Also it was a very special moment when I won a Sampler in the festival.
What is the best and worst thing about being Marc Marzenit? The best part it’s have the chance of travel around the world, the worst part be rushed 24 hours a day about the work…
If you had to give it all up tomorrow, how would you like to be remembered? I really like this question, one of the best I’ve had. Let me think… I would really like to be remembered as a nice, happy, friendly, crazy guy doing what he likes do.
Marc plays at Legacy at Jamm on Fri 9th Dec. For more info about the event, head to: http://www.residentadvisor.net/event.aspx?304262. For everything else, head to www.marzenit.com/.
