Steve Mac (aka Steve McGuinness) is a man that loves everything about music. He began his career in DJing and production super-stardom at the tender age of 15. He is now one of the world’s most successful, with 2006 set to be a massive year with forthcoming collaborations with Paul Harris of Dirty Vegas and house legend Todd Terry – some of the biggest names in dance!
AJ: How did it all start out?
I was eleven years old and got into electro and hip-hop. I started DJing and buying heaps of records. I was a DMC and a scratch mix DJ by the age of 14. I made my first record at 15 and by 17 got into the house scene and started producing house records at about 20, and am still doing it now.
AJ: After many years together as the “Rhythm Masters” with Rob, why did you decide to go your separate ways?
We worked together for about ten years. In the end we just had different ideas. We lived in each others pockets. It’s like being married in a way! We just needed to get divorced. We’re still good friends and go out for a few beers and are talking about doing another single this year. Even though it’s been three and a half years since we last worked together.
AJ: What have you been up to since then?
Since then I’ve been doing a lot of my own production. Lovin’ You More single featuring Steve Smith has blown up! I’m working on an album project at the moment and I’m about halfway through it. I’m hoping to have it finished in December. After my Australian tour, which will be my last long tour, I’ll be spending most of the week in my studio. I’ll still do weekend gigs in Europe and UK.
AJ: Tell us a little bit about you beloved studio, which burnt down last year…
I went to the pub for about an hour. Came back. Fire engines everywhere. A complete disaster – CIGARETTES!
AJ: Do you still smoke?
Yes, believe it or not… I’m going to see a hypnotist to see if I can quit or not!
AJ: Can you give us the low-down on your summer anthem smash “Lovin’ You More” with Steve Smith…?
It was a record I originally made as an instrumental. I based it on an old underground existent sort of record. I’ve always loved that sound. I spent about a week in the studio and pressed up about 2000 copies on a white label just to get it to the DJs. It was a record that Pete Tong jumped on straight away, Sasha and Digweed. All the big DJs from the progressive DJs through to the funky house DJs. Steve Smith loved it so much that he rang me up and told me he had a vocal hook for it. He came down to my studio and sung it to me. It was like WOW! It’s a really good song!
AJ: How difficult was it not being able to produce your tracks in your studio?
Very difficult. I block booked many studios. I recorded the vocals for Lovin’ You More about five days after the fire. I’ve remixed for Jamiroquai, Charlotte Church, Simply Red, Narcotic Thrust and Todd Terry in my temporary studio which I set up with a friend. My new studio should be ready when I return from Australia.
AJ: Your last hot remix down under from Jamiroquai has been ripping up the clubs… What’s to follow?
I’ve just remixed Danny Rampling’s single the NYC Project called Strobe Light. It’s just been released here in the UK. I’ll be bringing a lot of my own records over and playing a lot of my own stuff.
AJ: Are you looking forward to coming down under?
It will be my third trip to Australia and I’m really looking forward to playing all the clubs over there. I’ll take time to chill and enjoy myself and at the weekend crazy party!
AJ: What can we expect from your national tour?
A lot of new music, upfront music, house and electro. I’m going to be dropping a lot of my own remixes and exclusive tracks that I’ve just made that won’t be out for a long time. Expect a bloody good party!
AJ: What has been one of your career highlights over the years?
Releasing the Rhythm Masters album, going live and taking it on tour. It’s hard work. But interesting doing the whole show live!
AJ: With such a great love of music. What might of you have been doing if you weren’t in the industry?
I’ve grown up from an early age with music. I’ve never really thought about doing anything else. I don’t really have any answer for this question…
AJ: What does the future hold?
As a producer, definitely getting more into producing a lot of albums.
Steve tours Australia this April, don’t miss out:
Sat 22nd Apr – Home, Sydney (BUY TICKETS)
Mon 24th Apr – King Street Hotel, Newcastle
Fri 28th Apr – Platinum, Gold Coast
Sat 29th Apr – Room 680, Melbourne
Fri 5th May – Bustin, Wollongong
Sat 6th May – Family, Brisbane
Sun 7th May – Sounds on Sunday, Sydney
