He’s one of Brazil’s most recognisable musical exports; a feat that’s all the more impressive when you consider that champions a genre of dance music that’s more at home on the underground. His DJ sets are legendary, Marky known for both the variety of tracks he’ll play as well as his supreme technical ability, cutting and scratching his way through vinyl like his life depends on it. Splitting the majority of his time between Sao Paolo and London, Marky’s long-running party ‘DJ Marky & Friends’ recently celebrated its fourth year, and with his label Innerground continuing to go great guns, Marky has no intentions of slowing things down in the near future. Returning to Australia this month for a national tour with Stamina MC, inthemix tracked him down for a chat.

DJ Marky & Friends at The End in London has been going for close to four years now. How are you finding it after all this time?

It’s going really well. Every time the night happens it gets better and better. The vibe is nice, The End is a wicked venue and I’ve had some great guests performing, so I am really happy with it all.

I read once that you travel to and from London and Sao Paulo every week! That’s a lot of travelling to do. It must be tiring?

Hahah! Not every week but sometimes something comes up and I have to go back to Brazil midway through a tour. Luckily, I have great agents in Brazil and the UK who make sure I travel as little as possible, so I can stay fresh for my gigs.

Is there anybody in particular that you would like to see perform at DJ Marky & Friends? That’s not including any of the stellar guests that have already graced the club over the years!

One day I would love to get Carl Cox or Jazzy Jeff down to play. I think they would really fit into the DJ Marky & Friends vibe at the club.

How do you usually approach your DJ sets; do you have a game plan as such, or does it more depend on the mood? There must be a broad type of outline?

Not really. I don’t like to plan my sets because I don’t want it to become predictable. Sometimes I can say that I definitely want to play a certain tune because it is new or I just made it so I want to see how it works on the dance floor, and for the long sets I like to build, so maybe go from really old jungle to new DnB or something like that. There is never a game plan as such, though.

What’s your equipment setup now, are you playing CDs or off one of the vinyl systems?

Pretty standard setup, except I use Serato now as well as vinyl, so I need a space for my laptop. Otherwise so long as there are a set of decks and a Pioneer mixer I can do my job.

Your label Innerground has an impressive repertoire, including Total Science and Calibre. How did the label come about, and what upcoming projects do you have planned for it?

It came about from me and XRS wanting to have a regular outlet for our music. More and more people were coming to us with their tracks cos they liked the label and what it stood for. We have some big things happening this year, to try and stay ahead of the game. We are releasing an EP from one of my favourite producers at the moment, Random Movement, then after that are is an EP from me and Makoto called ‘Rush Hour’. After that we’ve got 12s coming from Seba & Krazy, Utah Jazz and tracks from me, Makoto, Sonic, Random Movement and some more that I am in the process of signing.

Under what circumstances do you feel the need to tour with an MC, as opposed to solo?

I don’t really have a preference either way. For example, when I have Stamina with me he compliments the set really well so it is good to have him there, but again when he can’t make it or the promoter wants me alone then I can do that just as easily.

How much time do you spend touring and doing gigs as opposed to working on your label or in the studio? Is the label based in Brazil or London?

The label is based in London so I have a team that helps me with the day to day stuff after I sign a tune. I would say the majority of my time is spent on the road, so I only get to sit in the studio when I have some free time in a country. Like, last time I was in Japan, I spent a couple of days in the studio with Makoto, then when I come to the UK I might get some studio time with Artificial Intelligence or A-Sides.

Growing up what were your musical influences, and how have they affected the music that you create today?

My musical influences as a child were motown, soul and rare groove stuff that I got from my dad. It affected me because I always try and incorporate a good hook or vocal and make it all a bit more funky and soulful than pure dancefloor material.

How do you feel the jungle scene in Brazil has progressed ever since you’ve been involved?

It’s moved along at the same kind of speed as the rest of the world, just maybe a bit behind, which is no bad thing. The music coming out of Brazil now in dance in general is really good and I would like to say I am a major part in making that happen, but there are other great international DJs all doing good work as well.

Do you like to incorporate the traditional sounds of Brazil in your music?

Wherever I can I try, but it isn’t always possible, plus I don’t like to be pigeon-holed as either this kind of producer or another kind of producer. I am very much my own person.

What does the rest of 2008 have in store for Marky?

The EP release from me and Makoto, which I am really looking forward to. We have syndicated the DJ Marky & Friends brand out to a few selected promoters in Japan, France and UK as well, so I will be putting a lot of effort into making sure that works out. Generally plenty of new music, plenty of gigs and hopefully a lot of good times.

You’re back in Australia this April, do you enjoy playing here?

I love playing in Australia, the people are great and always give me a warm reception when I come over. It doesn’t hurt that the weather is pretty good as well! Because of extra commitments and distance it is kind of hard to come over more than once a year, but who knows, maybe some more dates in the future. Let’s hope!

DJ Marky tours Australia this April, be sure to check him out at one of the following events:

Apr 20 – Groove Is In The Park, Adelaide
Apr 24 – Prince Bandroom, Melbourne
Apr 25 – Metro City, Perth
Apr 26 – DNBBQ, Sydney

Check out this clip of Marky playing the Brazil vs Uruguay soccer world cup qualifier in 2006; stadium drum & bass!