The stairs are steep and a voice hollers from above. “Hello-ohh…hello-ohh…” A phone rings off the hook so I follow it into an office. Mark James wears a Kraftwerk t-shirt and smiles from behind his desk. I’m standing there drenched but happy. Another Kraftwerker!
“How are you?” he asks. I laugh and put a positive spin on the rain. “I’m drenched, but glad to be here.” The window is open and the sound of rain is soothing. He answers the phone – calm and focused. Mark James scribbles on a note pad and I am curious. Who he is playing naughts and crosses with?
Mark James has little time for anything else. But if it involves the music industry, he possesses a long arm – a hand in many projects, a ‘regular’ Mr. Stretch. He is Managing Director of events company Future Entertainment, a successful DJ and a Producer. So what’s he doing now? He is currently in the world of Two Tribes, a dance music festival to be held in March.
James breathes, eats and sleeps music – and in that order. He drives up Glenhuntly Road and listens to demos and takes a laptop with him on holidays. So when was the last time he did anything non-musical? “Oh, geez. Good question. I don’t know actually.” He thinks carefully. The only time he truly relaxes is when he’s sitting down and watching a movie. “But only if it’s got a good soundtrack.”
Hence, the phone ringing off the hook.
Records are stacked against the wall and all phone calls are to be held because of our interview. He is still calm and focused and comments on how he got to the office on top of Future Entertainment. “I had to work hard to get to where I am today, especially in this industry. It’s not really handed to you on a silver platter.” And like any event type business James says it’s just basically hard work. “There have been events where we’ve lost lots of money and been down in the dumps. And you know, you just get bigger and better at what you do.”
James plays with wooden beads on his wrist and shyly smiles from behind the desk. There are aspects of the dance music industry that excite him. Mixing part of the latest Two Tribes CD is one of them. “I’ve had plenty of offers, but this is the first mix CD I’ve done.” The mix takes listeners on a journey through House, Breaks, Trance and Techno. “It covers all the styles of my Djing.”
Another exciting aspect is being part of Two Tribes that won the 2002 Dance Music Awards for Best National Event. “It’s good to be recognised. Two Tribes is the only dance event that is national.” However, it is no surprise it won and he laughs in a boyish manner. “There is not much competition. Our events have always been strong. We have a huge loyal following.”
He excuses himself and makes a quick phone call. Artwork on a flyer needs to be changed – all part of a fall out from a DJ cancellation. It’s typical of any large-scale event he explains. “The Big Day Out had bands and acts cancel as they go along.” And a recent example is that of DJ Tiesto. “The sponsor has decided to move the tour.” James shrugs his shoulders. “This is the music industry.” Then he drops a luscious hint of plans to bring Tiesto out to Australia in September. All in the same breath.
Mark James is successful. And with success and outstanding dance music events, there is always going to be criticism. The ‘Un-Australian’ term referred to as the ‘tall poppy syndrome.’ Australia’s Own, Macquarie Dictionary defines a tall poppy as a person who is outstanding in any way. “It’s like in any entertainment business. When you’re doing really well, people try and sort of slag you off, or bring whatever you do, or create, down.” But James is too busy and has no time to take much of the criticism seriously. “That used to bother me, but it doesn’t bother me that much anymore. We sort of plod along and do what we do.”
Lack of support for dance music on Australian radio is an issue he is concerned with as well. Attempts to keep a former dance music radio station operational were unsuccessful. “We lobbied with KissFm for a community license to become a full time license and we didn’t get it.” He feels it’s something that “should have been a benefit to the community.” James puts this down to the Australian Broadcasting Authority being unable to recognise dance music as an art form. “That really peeves me off sometimes…that the authorities and the government and the ABA don’t see dance music as part of the Australian culture.”
Melbourne’s weather is balmy and humid and it is still raining. James is now scribbling arrows near his solo game of naughts and crosses. I pull out the latest Two Tribes CD from my bag and James wants a look. He’s chuffed. He hasn’t received a copy yet and loves the artwork and packaging. He moves around his chair, excited. I witness his personal music moment – something that captures the imagination and makes you smile. But I’m sure I have witnessed one of many. So I ask James about his very first personal music moment. “Um…probably seeing Devo Live. In those days, it was a four on the floor drumbeat band. So that was really exciting for me.” And then the eyes light up.
“Come into the studio” he says. I walk past a deep blue ceramic vase that sits on a towel and catches rain. “This way.” He turns on the biggest soundboard I have seen and plays a tune – an electro, modern cover version of ‘Don’t You Forget About Me’ by Simple Minds. I cannot believe I am in his studio. I have just witnessed my own personal music moment.
Two Tribes CD featuring Mark James and Pee Wee Ferris is out now through Shock. The Two Tribes tour kicks off this weekend, check ITM for dates in your state.
