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10 Questions with ... Markus Schulz
April 1, 2014
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BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/markusschulz
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/markusschulz
- SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/markusschulz
1. Your current single is called "Revolution" featuring Chris Madin. Who else did you work on it with?
Venom One is a group of guys I worked with on my Coldharbour label. We had this idea to work with a few different songwriters. I wanted a track that represented what is going on now musically. This new generation has taken over the scene. This is their moment of glory. That's what this song is really about, the new revolution in music.
2. What's you new album about?
SCREAM 2 is my follow-up album to SCREAM 1. It took me about a year, year-and-a-half to make SCREAM 1. It started out really slow, and then towards the end I started getting all these ideas flowing. I still had so many ideas that I wanted to explore that's why I said, "I'm just going to keep working rather than taking a break." Normally after I do an album I'll just take a break and rest my brain for a while. Next thing I knew I had so many tracks for another album. It was very natural for that album to be called SCREAM 2 because the ideas where all based on the first SCREAM album.
3. Are you going to start working on another album soon? SCREAM 3 or something different?
(LOL) No, I really feel the story is complete. I've said what I wanted to say. The whole concept of SCREAM was what I wrote on a greaseboard: Scream from the mountain. The image that I had was of me standing on a mountain and screaming to the world that there's a new generation of clubbers, producers and DJs, and I'm screaming to the world, "I'm not going anywhere; I'm still here ... I'm here!" That was the concept behind the album. I wanted tracks that were bold that really shouted out to the world. I really feel like with these two albums that my message has definitely been heard, and I said what it is that I wanted to say.
4. You have a radio show called Global DJ Broadcast with Markus Schulz?
Yes, the radio show has been going on for over 10 years now. I've always been into radio. I've loved radio ever since I was a kid. When I first moved to the U.S., I would have my headphones on listening to all of the big DJs in New York City. I remember saying to myself, "One of these days, I hope that I am able to inspire kids and people listening to the radio like I was inspired when I first moved here. The radio show is very important to me and it's a labor of love for that reason.
5. You said you were inspired by DJs; if you could go out to hear one DJ spin, who would it be?
Danny Tenaglia! He's my hero. I remember in 2001 at Winter Music Conference, I was on the dance floor at Space. John Digweed was on my left, Carl Cox was on my right, and we were just lost into the grooves and it was just a magic moment that I will never forget. It's kind of cool that I got into DJing on the other side of the DJ booth as a break-dancer. Moments like being on the dance floor, listening to Danny Tenaglia ... those are the moments that inspire me, and I look back on very fondly.
6. Over the years you've worked on a number of remixes, do you have a favorite remix that you've done?
Gosh, maybe back in the day I did a remix for Telepopmusik called "Breathe" and that was a really cool remix for me. At the time I was just starting to get into the more darker, melodic trance music. The beats were break-beats so they were kind of electro break-beaty inspiration from my break dance days. It turned out to be a very big track and I just did it for fun. It was played on all the radio stations and all over the place. One of those tracks that no matter how many times I heard it on the radio, I always smile and say, "This is really cool." It turned out really cool.
7. Anyone that you'd love to work with that you haven't yet?
I've always been into discovering new talent. There are a lot of opportunities for me to work with big artists. I've always said that there are many artists out there who are super-talented that have dreams, and it's more rewarding for me to help other artists achieve their dreams than work with somebody that has already achieved their dreams.
8. Where is your home?
Miami; I've lived here for the last 10 years. I spend so much time on the road that any time I get to come home and sleep in my own bed it's fun.
9. Your favorite city anywhere in the world to DJ?
Wow, that's a good one! There are so many amazing cities. I love what's happening in South America, but with that being said, the U.S. right now is the envy of the world; the scene is huge here in the U.S. I love it here in Miami because this is where I live. Whenever I play in Miami, all my friends come out. Los Angeles has always been very dear to me because they are one of the first cities in the U.S. to embrace me. Of course, New York City is legendary. What can you say about New York City that hasn't been said before? Those are just some of the cities off the top of my head that I really love.
10. You mentioned you love to work with up-and-coming talent. Best piece of advice you can offer up and coming DJ /producer?
Follow your heart. Don't chase what's happening right now because if you do break, you're doing something that just happens to be popular at the moment, you're going to burn out. There's nothing more rewarding than achieving success doing what's inside your heart. That's how you build a career. You look at some of the legends on the scene; you know they're not chasers. They are doing what's in their hearts. That's how you achieve longevity in this industry.
Bonus Questions
With all the traveling you do, what's one item you must have?
My laptop! Must have my laptop. And a credit card! Everything else you can buy! (LOL)
What restaurant would you recommend?
Here in Miami, Mr Chow down at the W, Miami Beach. It's one of my favorite places. When I come home I love to go to Mr Chow's. Go to Mr Chow's and don't order from the menu. Just tell them to feed you and they'll start bringing out food. The chef will start experimenting and that's usually how I like to eat. I don't like to look at the menu. I let them feed me. It feels more like home then.
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