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‘THE FIRST TIME WE GOT SOME DRUM & BASS IT WAS MENTAL'
Atlantic crossing
Richie Meldrum chats to Brazilian drum & bass sensation DJ Marky about Sao Paulo, UK jungle, kilts and haggis
hink of Brazil and you think of music. It‘s a country that lives and breathes to its own unique rhythm. a rhythm which 1)] Marky has followed to the top of his profession. Inspired by the Sao Paulo clubs he partied in as a teenager. Marky started out spinning hip hop and techno. However. while today's digital DJs can instantly download their favourite new releases from a tree
house in Tahiti if they wanted. the contents of
Marky‘s record box was. at least in part. determined by availability. ‘It was crazy man.‘ he explains. ‘I used to work at FNAC in Brazil and we had a pretty good record shop there. but it was still hard to get hold of fresh music. especially all the stuff that was coming out of the UK at the time. I can remember the first time we managed to get some jungle into the shop. it was mental.’
They say that distance makes the heart grow fonder. and when those special imports touched down in the country. Marky was there. waiting with open arms. He began to introduce UK jungle and I)&B to Sao Paulo‘s club scene. adding his own Brazilian flavour to this foreign sound. It's a case of national pride according to the big man: 'I love my country. and I think the majority of Brazilians feel the same. We are very proud of our country. its people and our music. so you try and carry that with you wherever you go.‘
He carried it all the way across the Atlantic. seasoning our rain-soaked isle with a little Brazilian sunshine. and finding the UK crowds to be more than up for the occasion. ‘In Europe. the people are i on it! When Friday comes round all they want to do
18 THE LIST 21 Aug—4 Sep 2008
is go to the club and have a wicked night dancing with their mates.‘
Marky's sets are packed with energy. showmanship and enhanced by some jaw dropping scratch skills. Diversity is key. and he‘s a big fan of DJs who can play a range of different genres. ‘()ne of the best people for that is Laurent (iarnierf according to Marky. ‘The guy can play anything and make it sound like it is supposed to be there. At Skolbeats he came and finished off the Saturday night with me and we did back-to—back for 90 minutes of I)&B. I can remember people coming up to the decks when he was playing and saying “my (iod. what is this tune?"f
Back playing to a Scottish crowd for the first time in two years. his debut for Xplicit will be a welcome return for both parties. ‘(iood times man. I always had good times in Scotland. It can be cold. which I am clearly not used to. but the people always give me a good reception and enjoy themselves. which for me is the most important part. to get feedback from the crowd and make their night as special as possible.‘ Perhaps he might be willing to don the national dress for the occasion? ‘Yeah I'll try something for sure.‘ he laughs. I” check the weather first and see if a kilt is going to be ok. I‘ve heard about this haggis though and I'm not sure about that. is it sheep or something." Yeah. something like that.
DJ Marky guests with Stamina MC at Xplicit, the Bongo Club, Edinburgh, Fri 22 Aug.
LIST >l<
THE BEST DANCEFLOOR ACTION
=1: Soma Records Night Slam and their Soma cohorts Octogen, Decimal and Mark- Henning once again drop house and techno as part of The Edge. Cabaret Voltaire, Edinburgh, Fri 22 Aug.
* Wee Numbers A mini instalment of the much-admired techno club, which showcases the talents of Darizzle. a new electro-hip hop producer. Twisted Wheel, Glasgow, Fri 22 Aug.
=I= The Afterparty Glasgow‘s best DJs, headed by Twitch and Andrew Divine, take to the decks in aid of Childline. Queen’s Park Glasshouses. Glasgow, Sat 23 Aug.
* Give it Some! Time for the last dance at Give it Some! as the DJs mix up funk, soul, jazz. R&B and reggae for the last time. The Bongo Club. Edinburgh, Sat 23 Aug.
3% Monox Detroit’s Robert Hood, co-founder of Underground Resistance shows up fora huge night of techno. Soundhaus, Glasgow, Sat 23 Aug.
* Dubpressure Night of dubstep, grime, dancehall, hip hop and jungle from The Bug. Unlikely and more. Cabaret Voltaire, Edinburgh, Sun 24 Aug. ;is Sunday Circus A bank holiday special from Glasgow's finest al fresco party, with guest Milton Jackson (Freerange). The Courtyard, Glasgow, Sun 24 Aug.
3}: Taste Fisher & Price are back out of semi—retirement for an eclectic mix of underground dance classics for a bank holiday/Festival special. The Liquid Room, Edinburgh, Sun 24 Aug.
alt How’s Your Party? Turntable legend (and DJ to Kanye West) A-Trak (pictured) makes an appearance at the Subbie‘s ever—dependable bi- monthly bash. Sub Club, Glasgow, Fri 29 Aug.