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Harderfaster exclusive: Marco V on ‘Combi:Nations: II’ & much more
Reported by Getinpublicity
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Submitted 17-10-06 20:32
They call him “the clean living Dutchman.” Marco V is the most unassuming dj and superstar on the planet, yet his popularity is undeniably huge. His driving ambition, acknowledgement of change, and all round positive approach to what he does lies at the heart of his continued success.
It’s been almost two years since the non-drinking, non-smoking and non-substance-consuming man spoke to HarderFaster. Just one week after his latest mix compilation was released, we caught up with him for a rare, no holds barred interview to discuss life, music, the future, and of course the album they’re calling his greatest offering yet — ‘Combi:Nations: II’.
Welcome back Marco, it’s been quite a while. How are you doing?
Great! I am touring with my ‘Combi:Nations II’ DVD DJ set at the moment and the feedback is fantastic. The ‘Combi:Nations II’ CD is selling well and is getting some great reviews, so that makes me happy...
Firstly, congratulations on your night at Turnmills, not only was it quite a feat, it was brilliant! Considering the fact Turnmills has been going for more than 15 years, how honoured were you to be the first dj to ever play all three rooms in one night?
Thank you. For me it’s the best I can get as a dj, playing three sets in different rooms with a different atmosphere is so great. Sometimes I am not totally satisfied after my gig because I just want to play on and on and on.
Obviously it was the launch of your new album. How much thought and preparation goes into a show like that?
Preparations for a world tour requires huge planning, and so with that in mind, no venue or country is the same. We start off with some rough ideas, which are formed into a final concept such as look and feel, technical issues etc. All this is then transformed into the combination between sound and visuals and customised to each venue. This process started when we started the new album.
The VJ element of the night was an integral part to the show, which was also mixed live. Was that all your own work, and how long did it take to compile.
The whole visual set is burned on DVD and each track has its own visuals and atmosphere. So instead of mixing vinyl or CDs I am mixing now with DVDs. That means that you have to mix the music and video separately. Some of the visuals I have made myself, and some are by ‘real’ VJ producers. I give them some ideas as to how I want the visuals to look, and of course they give their own input as well.
The album tour is currently going around the world. What’s the reception been in other countries to ‘Combi:Nations: II’?
I am playing 2–3 or 4 hours sets, depending on the venue and country. Everything I play on this tour is accompanied with the visuals. We also do four solo nights, three in the Netherlands and one in the Czech Republic, where we have a big stage with large video and a lot of plasma screens, lasers, FX, etc. The Dutch kick off was in Amsterdam on the 6th of October and was a huge success. There is nothing like playing in my own country.
The album definitely isn’t trance, and the reviewers have really picked up on that fact. How would you describe it, and how reflective is it of where you are now with regards to your music? What’s it all about? Please tell us about it from start to finish…
I never been as into trance as some people think. If you listen to my previous ‘Combi:Nations 1’ album or the CDs I did for Amnesia, Gatecrasher, Innercity etc, there aren’t isn’t much trance there either. I always play music that I like and that I feel fits within my dj set.
At the moment there is so much happening with new music, meaning there is less and less of the trance element. ‘Combi:Nations: II’ is spit into a ‘Backroom’ CD and a ‘Mainroom’ CD. The ‘Backroom’ is the music that I like to play to a smaller crowd, and the ‘Mainroom’ is reflective of the music I’d play in to a big room, festival, or more halfway through the night when I’m doing one of my solo events.
The term ‘cross genre fusion’ has been touted about as the next big thing, are you happy with that tag?
I am really happy with that, it should be all about good music and not about playing a style. A good song is a good song, I don’t care what people call it. It’s almost like it was back in the day when house music was being born... djs would play what they wanted, no matter what the tag. Some were a little bit deeper and some a little bit harder or happier, but nobody cared about a style. It’s good to see that more djs are starting to play music they like, and are doing away with playing one particular style.
Shaking off the trance tag must have been a bit of a gamble, considering trance has such a huge following. Did it ever cross your mind that you might be alienating a core part of your fan base?
The ‘real’ trancers never liked my music anyway so that won’t be a problem. The trance-clubbers that like or liked my music, always have been people that already had a wider spectrum of music they like.
You’ve reworked quite a number of tracks on the album, and some have caught the attention of reviewers. Is this something you’ve always done, and why?
Yes, I’ve always made bootlegs and edits of tracks that I played, but at the moment I am a bit tired of making bootlegs. Everybody is doing it, so the fun is over. Edits — well that’s another story. There are a lot of new songs that I like and that I can make better for my sets when I change the build ups, intro’s or structure, or by adding extra sounds.
You don’t drink, don’t smoke and don’t take drugs, yet you spend half your life in nightclubs, at festivals and travelling the world. How do you manage it? How do you stay awake and where does all the energy come from?
I don’t know, I don’t feel the need to take anything. When I am behind the decks I get a energy shot and forget everything. I suppose if I could sell that, I’d make a million.
When you’re travelling abroad, what are the five things that always travel with you?
My laptop, my music, headphones, movies and shaving cream.
Do you have a rider? If so, what does it consist of?
Sure! To be picked up in a stretched limo, 5 star hotel, 4 bodyguards, 20 bottles Dom Perignon, m&m’s (only the blue one’s). LOL! Nothing special, just the usual stuff you know...
You’ve worked with Benjamin Bates for many years, how does that relationship work?
It’s not like you the usual duo that’s for sure where one has the ideas and the other is the producer. Everything we make is together, either a Benjamin Bates track/remix as a Marco V track/remix.
What does Marco V do when he’s not working?
It’s a bit cliché, but the time I have outside working is spent with my family.
Thanks so much Marco, it’s been a pleasure, and good luck with the album and tour.
My pleasure, thank you.
‘Combi:Nations: II’ is out now! See www.macrov.nl for more info.
Pictures courtesy of Be Yourself Music: www.beyourselfmusic.com. Not to be reproduced without permission.
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Other Features By Getinpublicity:
Come and meet the world’s number 4 DJ — Christopher Lawrence
Painting the town Red! Kelly Dayus Cook & Kate Hammond on their new artist agency
Paul Glazby — 8 hours & a lot more
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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Comments:
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From: gontijo on 17th Oct 2006 22:17.41
Well, Well
Hope se that Combi:Nations ‘cross genre fusion’ soon in Brasil.
May with some hard stuff.
Pedra
Drum Trax
From: Glyn Boyyo Evans on 18th Oct 2006 14:46.23
Amazing dj and producer.
From: JAY B on 18th Oct 2006 15:12.11
Amazing interview , well done !!!
like Pedra say .. i can wait to hear here in Brazil ..
Beats4Freaks
From: Alan-Banks on 18th Oct 2006 16:06.35
What a legend with an amazing style all to his own
He deserves all the success. Nice work Marco
From: onthebass on 18th Oct 2006 23:37.23
Got Marco's Combi"Nations album through the post last night and listening to it now in fact. Half way through and its fkng WICKED. Go and buy yourself a copy. You'd be mad not to :P
Respect to you Mr V! The groove master!!!
From: Kiko on 19th Oct 2006 14:22.32
I'm about to purchase the second instalment of Combinations. The first is one of my best compilations I've got in my collection! Hope Mr. V can come over to Brasil very soon... 
From: James Terry on 21st Oct 2006 10:36.05
I love this guy! I saw him play in Ibiza and he was amazing, havent seen him since. I love his productions, always refreshing!
From: Maria on 22nd Oct 2006 10:21.18
I love your music!
From: Ian Edwards on 22nd Oct 2006 23:38.23
true Leg end
From: Matt Smallwood on 24th Oct 2006 19:50.26
Wicked stuff! Had the pleasure of seeing him tear the roof off for Cream @ Amnesia this summer
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