'People in the UK love to party!': DJ Marky speaks to Skiddle ahead of the WHP

Skiddle caught up with Brazilian drum and bass innovator DJ Marky ahead of his Warehouse Project appearance for Hospitality on October 22nd.

How does Brazil's music scene compare to the UK? What brought you here?

Brazil is very different to the UK. We listen to a lot of the same styles of music, but the party atmosphere is a bit more chilled out. People in the UK LOVE to party! I came to the UK because of Bryan G. He heard me playing at a club in Sao Paulo and asked me to come over to play at Bar Rumba way back in the day. The rest is history.

What are your musical influences? How did you get into making music?

My musical influences come from a lot of classic Brazilian music, but also a lot of Motown, funk, soul and jazz. When I started out I was purely a DJ, I had no real interest in making the music. Then one day I went to XRS’ house and we decided that I would teach him to mix if he taught me to produce and from there we started making tunes together.

Is there a genre of music you like most? Any that you dislike?

Of course I love Drum & Bass – it’s my passion and I will always be in love with this music. I am still very much into House too. One thing I am not really into is Dubstep. I just can’t get my head round it – it’s too slow!

If you could have a 30 minute conversation with anyone, living or dead, real or mythical - who would it be?

It would have to be Stevie Wonder. The guy has been a rock in the music industry and a major source of inspiration for me over the years.

Heard you'll be playing The Warehouse Project in Manchester on October 22nd? Any idea on what you'll be playing for your set? Gonna make a showing for the after party perhaps?

What I play in my set all depends on how much work me and S.P.Y. can get done in the studio before I play and what I get sent in the weeks before. I never plan a set so it is as much of a mystery to me as it is to you. After party sounds good, put me down +1.

If you were to write an autobiography, what would you title it? 

'The Brazilian Job'.

Best and worst parts about your job?

Best part is the fans. I love playing for people and seeing them go home happy after a night out. Worst part is constantly travelling. I very rarely get any decent amount of time in any one timezone.

Best gig you've ever done? Why?

It’s hard to say, but one of the best has to be the back to back with Fabio at my residency at The End before it closed down. I took hold of Room two for the first four hours while Fabio was in the Main Room, then at halftime we swapped. It was epic. I also did a six hour back to back with Andy C which was a great night too.

If you were a Greek god, which would you be and why?

Apollo as he was the God of light and music.

Which famous musician would you most like to work with?

I’d love to do something with Jazzy Jeff. The guy has mad skills and I think we could pull something off together.

What do you do (asides from music, of course!) in your spare time?

To be honest if I have any spare time I tend to spend it with my little boy back in Sao Paulo. I spend so much time away travelling that it is nice to just kick back with him and go to the park and things.

If you weren't a musician, what would you be?

Well my Dad wanted me to have a proper job like a policeman or something, so let’s go with that.

What's your ultimate goal for your musical career?

To continue to do what I do for as long as possible and make people happy.

New projects or things coming up?

I am working on a new studio project at the moment, but it is all very hush hush. I hope to be able to make a solid announcement about it in the new year. Otherwise I have some more releases coming out in the next couple of months as well as my label Innerground’s 50th release.

If you were an assassin, what would be your weapon of choice?

Stealth.

What would you rather have, a permanent beard that could never be shaved and extended down to your toes, or to suddenly wake up one day to be eight foot tall? And why?

I’d say I would prefer to be eight feet tall. That way I can still shave and when I come to the UK I won’t get hit in the face so much by people’s umbrellas! 

Interview: Jack Oughton

Catch DJ Marky at The Warehouse Project on October 22nd with High Contrast and London Elektricity. Tickets are available below. 

Tickets are no longer available for this event