The Australia-Russia-via-Egypt connection joining Mark Youssef & Novikoff is a strong one. Each of their deftly crafted releases is a highly anticipated event for many DJs around the globe and their latest ‘Propagules’ creation for Desyfer’s Tactal Hots Music, the flourishing North West (UK) underground label, is no exception. So we thought this is the perfect opportunity to find out more from this dynamic duo…
Mark Youssef & Novikoff, a big welcome to DMCWORLD and congratulations on the release of ‘Propagules’ on Desyfer’s exciting Tactal Hots Music label. Talk us through the making of this release? How does the creative process work when you’re creating music together?
Hi DMC, of course, it’s a pleasure to be here. To be honest, the creative process is not so easy to manage if you are several thousand kilometres apart! We try to devote attention to each process, be it mixing or mastering. Technology has stepped forward. We have experience exchanging projects, so there is no particular difficulty. The final version we are testing with Nick.
For anyone not familiar with your music, how would you describe your individual styles? Can you put your finger on the elements of your music that make it so distinctive?
Yes, of course, our music is Deep, Progressive, Melodic House and Techno. Music is a state of a person’s soul, that we feel and show that different elements of the component are important, mainly melody, the main emphasis is on deep synths, a good tight kick, in general we don’t think too much, we feel the rhythms in our heads and create them.
‘Propagules’ also features a highly impressive remix courtesy of Desyfer & Hypnosis. What do you think of their interpretation of your work?
This work is worthy of respect, the good work of two guys and we are very delighted with them, the remix turned out to be very impulsive, and in our style. We are very satisfied. The remix received huge support from world DJs, Gai Barone, Aly & Fila, Tim Penner, and many others, so, huge respect.
Tell us something about the psychological effects of music that totally blows your mind?
It’s hard to describe so easily, but we’ll try… It’s like flying through the sky, like flying through the clouds at night, just the rhythms live in our heads.
Do you find it easy to express your deepest emotions when you play and make music, or is this something that finds an outlet only in certain, special moments?
Yes, we will easily fall out our emotions and feelings, independently play or create.
Let’s rewind for a moment, what are your earliest musical memories?
Nick: Inner City ‘Big Fun’, Carl Cox, Slam ‘Positive Education’ are my earliest memories, I still listen and enjoy.
Mark: for me it’s always rock music because that’s where I come from – Queen, Metallica – I’m always trying to find a way to mix rock elements to electronic.
How did your musical tastes develop? When did dance music come into your lives?
Nick: Back in the 90’s we were fond of Depeche Mode, Kraftwerk, Daft Punk, Royksopp… gradually leaving more and more in Deep Progressive. Dance music came in in the late 90’s and early 2000’s, then I was a student, I was 17 years old, I played in an underground club, I started the dancefloor with cool tracks. That’s exactly when she finally sat in my veins, and to this day I cannot part with it!
Mark: I started playing electronic music in 1996, in this era I got my taste from Sasha and Digweed and Paul Oakenfold – a great era it was!At what point did you get into producing and DJing? Who have been big influences in your music career?
Nick: I was 17 when I first played in clubs, then I was very interested in the moment of mixing… I did not understand how one track goes to another… I started trying on cassettes, then on PC, then it was DJ remotes… I even remember the Pioneer CMX-3000.
In what ways do you think your particular journey through life has influenced the electronic music you make now?
Music began to be more adult – it became serious, piercing and emotional.
What piece of studio equipment couldn’t you live without?
Without good studio monitors!
Which of all your tracks do you consider to be your most accomplished creation to date? Why?
Mark Youssef & Novikoff ‘Astronaut’ coming soon on Lights Out Records. This one turned out to be very emotional, conveys the feelings that we experienced creating it really well.
What’s your most exciting recent show? And, what new places are you looking forward to experiencing in the coming months? Will we see you over in the UK soon?
We still, for now, haven’t played together in any show, but for Mark, he recently played in Club NL Amsterdam was a massive gig. We hope we can play soon in UK. Actually the UK is the hub of the electronic scene so it will be great to play there one day!
If you could play for a whole night with any DJ (ever), who would be at the top of your wish list?
Sasha
Digweed
Kink
Hernan Cattaneo
After this superb release for Tactal Hots Music, what new projects should we watch out for from you in the coming months?
It will be Mark Youssef & Novikoff ‘Astronaut’ (Lights Out Records), and a remix on Stripped Recordings.
And finally, what’s the best piece of advice you have ever been given?
It’s easier to look at life, to enjoy every day, because there will be no other life for this.
Thanks for your time – much appreciated!
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Mark Youssef & Novikoff – ‘Propagules’
- Propagules (Original Mix)
- Propagules (Desyfer & Hypnosis Remix)
(Tactal Hots Music) THM077
Format: Digital
OUT NOW
Buy Now: https://www.beatport.com/release/propagules/2698550
Mark Youssef & Novikoff Info:
https://soundcloud.com/novikoff
https://soundcloud.com/markyoussef
https://www.facebook.com/markyoussefofficial
Tactal Hots Info:
http://www.tactalmusic.com
https://twitter.com/tactalhotsmusic
https://soundcloud.com/tactalhotsmusic
