Forget all of the bullshit that we’ve heard in the past about MDX, better known to most as Mark Dynamix. That’s meant with the utmost respect to the man in question of course, but frankly, the ‘godfather of Australian dance music’ angle that we frequently hear on Dynamix should be blacklisted immediately. Yes, he’s been in the mix for over fifteen years now. But under no circumstances should he be viewed as an old man – what godfathers usually are – who’s ready to handpick his successor from the wealth of dance prodigies that Australia currently has at its disposal.
Because like all other timeless dance artists still on the cutting edge, Dynamix has reinvented himself, and switched the script on those who might have once thought that his producing and DJ skills were running out of steam. With his current focus as a record label owner, ‘kingpin’ may very be a better way to describe him.
“I’m not too sure if I’m old enough quite yet to be the ‘godfather’ of dance music. I’m only in my early thirties, you know?” he joked. “But honestly it’s an honour if people think about me in that way and it’s definitely a very humbling achievement for me,” MDX states sincerely.
In regards to the slight change of style in his productions, he is precise and hard-hitting in his response: “I’ve always been very techno based,” he revealed. “When I say techno I mean that edgy, tough sort of dance music. These days, people are so genre-specific but I guess tech-house is the easiest way to describe my sound,” he says.
Furthermore, his progression onto new challenges doesn’t just lie as an artist, with Dynamix now venturing into the corporate side of the entertainment industry. After years of being the employee of numerous labels, Dynamix is now the label boss himself. Consequently, Dynamix’s primary objective of his recently formed label Long Distance Recordings is to give the next generation of dance talent a chance for their dreams to be realised under the guidance of his experienced eye. “Originally, the goal for the label was for it to be an outlet for my music. But since [LDR] started, I’ve had loads of producer’s approach me that have been really keen to get involved.”
“In a sense it’s a different label. We’re an alternative, independent label that focuses on getting artists exposure. Hopefully soon all of the artists signed to LDR will get to tour overseas and experience what it’s like to play away from home alongside being able to personally take their sound global. So far, the plan is coming along nicely,” he speaks proudly.
Having seen many wannabe artists not make the cut, one artist who has impressed Dynamix is Brisbane’s own Nick Galea. After spending a week producing with the Brisbane sensation in Sydney recently, Dynamix was adamant that his close pal is bordering on becoming a key figure in Australia’s growing dance industry. “Nick is going to explode in the next year or two no doubt. He always had excellent production ideas, but over the years his production quality has risen to today’s exceptionally high standard where he doesn’t sound out of place next to internationally renowned artists. I’m really proud of him because he’s come a long way and in my opinion, he’s definitely one to watch in 2009,” MDX predicts.
Although beginning to delve more and more behind the business scenes, Dynamix maintains that he’ll still be doing all of the little things that he’s grown to love since debuting back in the 20th century. “I’ll still be DJ’ing at my Sydney residence, Chinese Laundry, alongside coming to Brisbane, Adelaide, Melbourne and Perth every now and again. Nothing will ever stop that,” he concludes, reassuring everybody that he isn’t going away anytime soon.
MDX’s latest single Hot & Spicy is now available on digital and vinyl featuring remixes from Tonka, Namito and Bass Kleph, check out www.longdistancerecordings.com. You can also catch at the following gigs over the summer…
Sat Dec 6th – Club Club feat. Robert Babicz, Chinese Laundry, Sydney
Sat Dec 13th – Mixed Messages & Beef Records pres. Collision, Roxanne’s, Melbourne
Sun Dec 14th – Summer Social Festival, Beachcomber Hotel, Terrigal
Fri 19th December – Empire Moonbar, Brisbane
Sat Dec 20th – Club Club, Chinese Laundry, Sydney
Fri Dec 26th – MOS Anthems, Greenwood Hotel, North Sydney
Sat Dec 27th – Lookin’ Good, The Bourbon, Kings Cross, Sydney
Sat Dec 27th – Club Club, Chinese Laundry, Sydney
NYE Dec 31st – Club Club with Switch and Carl Craig, Chinese Laundry, Sydney
NYD Jan 1st – Republica Sessions, St. Kilda Sea Baths, Melbourne
Sat Jan 3rd – Lake Merimbula Hotel, Merimbula
Sat Jan 10th – Club Club with Chinese Laundry, Sydney
wana4q says...
yes! please don't ever leave the cave mark :D
sorzy says...
Can't wait
stu_jacks88 says...
Got me into dance when i was younger with his Mixtape compilation for MOS.
Royal says...
Godfathers aren't grandfathers. Godfathers can be 18 or 80. Anyway, he's not the Godfather nor is he the grandfather of Australian dance music. You'll need to find your way to Adelaide to meet HMC, the man who rightfully holds that title.