ITM catches up for a chat with Muli, aka Daniel Mulhern, a rising star on Sydney’s competitive trance scene. Having played at parties including Cream and Tranmission, as well as a variety of smaller club events, Muli nows features regularly at A Night Of Trance. Playing records from across the spectrum of trance sub-genres, in Muli’s sets you’re likely to hear anything from tech-trance, to psy-trance, progressive-trance, and more.

For some individuals it’s their first electronic CD they listen to, which creates their desire for the music. What was your initial experience with electronic music, which then grew on you?

Well I’m not sure I should really tell you… OK it was the WILD FM cd’s I first listened to! Shameful I know, then I moved onto the Gatecrasher CDs soon afterwards and was hooked no trance.

How old were you when you first began DJ’ing?

Only a few months into my 19th year I got my decks.

Have you ever considered producing?

Yes I have, it’s harder than it looks though! I definitely will get into producing, hopefully in 2005 as I have finished my studies. I can’t wait to play one of my own tracks to a dance floor and see the reaction.

Do you believe it’s necessary to also produce if you want to make it big time?

I don’t think it is totally essential, but it sure helps you along especially if you can get signed to a major label. I guess these days it’s almost a pre-requisite as you have to do something to differentiate yourself from the abundance of DJs out there.

What equipment do you use at your home when DJing?

I have two Technics 1200s, 1 Ecler Nuo-5 mixer – a dream to mix on – a CDJ-1000mk2 and a laptop that I plan to use in the future to make my sets more interesting.

Are there any DJs you would love to be on a line up with?

First off would be John 00 Fleming! I love his unique sound, I love how he really digs deep to find some solid tunes and really mixes his sets up with progressive, psy, tech and uplifting trance. This is the sounds I really admire and try to push myself, a real mix of all types of trance, I hate just hearing the one sound all night.

Who are your 5 favourite DJs/producers?

John 00 Fleming, Marco V, Chris Liebing, James Zabiela and Steve Lawler.

What are your top 5 tunes of all time?

In no order – Mathew Dekay – If I could fly, Area – Definition of Tekto (Silvio Ecomo Remix), Powerplant – With or Without you (Blackwatch remix), L.S.G. – Hidden sun of venus, Push – Universal Nation (Ferry Corsten remix).

You’ve been working with Sydney based dance music website grooveinc.org. Is there any talent, which we should look forward to in the future?

Yeah there is a load of talent coming from that website especially in the hard dance scene. I’m not a huge fan of the hard sound, but DJs like Whisper have some really amazing skills!

How long after you first began DJing did you get your first gig? Were you the type who wanted to get out there and play in front of a crowd as soon as the opportunity came, or were you one to practise in the bedroom till you believe you almost perfected your art from your point of view?

I got my first gig after about a year and a half of practising at home. At first I thought I was the king and wanted to get out there, but after a few knock backs I realised I totally sucked so kept practising more at home for a few months until finally getting my first gig at the infamous Liberty parties. So yeah if you want to get out there, don’t rush into it, because if you give out crap demo CDs it will set you further back when you actually are ready to play out.

You’ve also played at events such as Gods Kitchen 03, Cream featuring Tall Paul, and various Transmission Parties. How did this feel playing at such well-known events? Did you then come to realise that you’ve fulfilled your dream?

I was mega nervous, and to this day I still get nervous about these big events. It felt great playing at these events and really lifted my profile as a DJ. My dreams will be fulfilled when I’m a multi millionaire DJ living it up on the beach in Tahiti…

Are there any clubs or locations your eager to play a set at?

I would love to play at home, it’s such an awesome venue. I would also love to play at some of the bigger parties at Homebush like Two Tribes. I haven’t played at Gas yet so I’ll have to put that on the cards also.

From your point of view, describe trance, what makes it so unique?

Trance I think can be really emotional, whether it is the really uplifting feel good trance of the likes of Armin Van Buuren, or the really deep moody trance like what John 00 Fleming or Marco play. What ever kind of trance it is, there is always an emotional feeling from it and I guess that’s what makes it so unique and attracts a lot of people. I like a lot of other genres, like techno and house. But it’s the emotion that always brings me back to pushing my unique style of trance.

You can catch Muli this Friday, December 3rd, at A Night Of Trance. For more info check out ITM Whatson.