MAAL

The house don from Sweden giving us one more

Interview by Ian Fleming

MAAL is the alias of Swedish DJ/producer, Marcus Almen, a man who’s just unleashed his debut EP on the always interesting HMWL imprint. An intriguing amalgamation of sounds, the No More EP touches on a host of different sounds while still paying homage to the producer’s love of all things house. The man himself caught up with us for a brief chat recently, and here’s what he had to say for himself…

What was it like growing up in Sweden. Is it a chilled place?

Southern parts of Sweden is a peaceful place and we’ve got the four seasons thing. It’s beautiful and I grew up on the countryside and enjoyed most of my days there among friends and family. I did a lot of sports and music and other creative stuff.

I gather you get used to the winters after a while then!?

Pretty much, yeah. But as a kid that’s all you know so I didn’t mind really, I spent a lot of time outdoors anyways. But the darkness is great because sunny weather is such a distraction of you wanna get shit done in the studio, you know! Summers are the worst, production wise because it never gets dark here. Good for creative inspiration though!

Are the winters a great time for making music then?

You bet, and it keeps me focused. But also because the weather drives me to get the hell outta here. Music can be an away ticket, you know. It’s also one of my passions in life, of course.

And how did you become exposed to electronic music in the first place?

My mother is an extremely talented musician and my two older brothers have always been in bands and going to concerts since the early 80’s. That early electronic vibe had a spill over effect on me I guess.

What are your worst habits as a producer? What would you like to change about yourself in that regard?

I’m a quite slow working guy, because I strive for perfection in my tracks. There is no such thing as perfection though. But sometimes being meticulous can be my best strength as well. There is a fine line between over doing a track or just making the most out of it. I am always trying to improve from track to track and technically I need to get better as well, step by step. Music is a long journey, there is so much to learn.

So how did you two first come together with HMWL? Was it just through a shared love of music?

I met Alex (the founder of HMWL) for a lunch a few years ago and we met talking music and business. And then I realized we had the same view on things in the music business. After that we’ve been staying in touch. Then one day I showed him the rough demo version of No More and he thought it was awesome. I was a bit surprised but super happy so I decided to make the most out of the track, spending lots hours finishing it. Then the whole HMWL crew loved the final product so we sealed a deal and hey – look at me now!

So have you played at a few of their parties before? Many memorable ones?

I’ve been making tracks since 1996 and been playing at so many places, but under other aliases. One of my best gigs was at a club in Brixton outside London, we’re I had a blast playing really deep and techy stuff a few years ago to a insane crowd. My WMC gig in Miami 2008 was amazing as well, even though I was a little too much focused on the drinking over there.

So where would you recommend we go clubbing, if we’d 72 hours in Sweden?

Most places I know are located in Stockholm, since that’s where I live. And there are a few hot spots for clubbing in this city that I can recommend. A sure bet Berns 2.35:1 where you find the hottest berlin style techno & house, but my favorite is Trädgården which is amazing during the summer. An half outdoor half indoor club that is the perfect hang out during the long bright summer nights. Slakthuset is really cool too. New places are constantly popping up though, like Maskineriet on Vasagatan, which has a kick ass sound system and perfect bar to hang out at. Start there and then talk your way around and go with the flow – and I’ll bet money on that you will have a great night out!

Talk to me about the EP, what was the inspiration behind it?

The EP is one track in two different versions. The club version is the one I first made. I basically wanted to capture a deep and mellow vibe with a dark but seductional feeling, that’s all. Then I asked my friend Jonay adding his touch to the track and he wrote the lyrics based on what he felt when he listened to it. And finally Sep put her soulful voice on it and completing the track with the amazing vocals. The final result is very cool and I think there is something timeless about it. Then I made a second (much more experimental) version which became the Original version, This time I pulled the track in one extreme direction. It’s a heavy garage track with influences from the US bass scene and this fits DJ sets that transfers into straight 4×4 house beats. Quite unique I’d say!

It features some pretty unusual sounds too. Are you always on the lookout for new samples? And can you give us some insight into them?

Yes, I always look out for new samples in tracks or synths to tweak. I do love crate digging and finding unique sounds or vocal cuts that I can reuse in interesting ways, but it’s a time consuming and hard job.

How would you best describe your production process then? Do you have one particular way of working?

I always start with some kind of a groove and bassline, or perhaps with a melody that I keep adding elements to. Then I build rhythmic patterns from there on and eventually what becomes the crescendo and theme for the track. I often keep adding stuff so in the end I need to reduce sounds and arrangements before being satisfied. It’s quite a process that takes a lot of patience!

What 5 tunes and producers are you really digging at the moment?

– Mak & Pasteman – Oh Baby
Amazing blend of tech and house with influences from the UK jungle scene (I was a big fan) from the 90s. Goes straight into my playlist for being so dark and energetic.

– Kornel Kovacs – Utopia, Ohio
Swedish talent and amazing depth in this wonderful tune. It makes me think of the summer, what a bliss!

– Crackazat – Eye light
Jazzy track as hell, in a fresh new way. This guys the Roni Size of Uppsala. Local Talk is one of my absolute favorite labels out there. Way to go Mats & Mats!

– Justin Jay – How I Knew
This kid from LA is signed to Dirtybird and has blown my and others minds since 2011. This is another strong deep release out on Cat’z n Dogs label Pets Recordings. Big hype right now!

– ADMN – Mars Global Surveyors
Released on Perfect Driver. This is one of the best tracks ever from this label, and is has amazing depth and atmosphere that perfectly fits my sets. Quite a ridiculous title though, heh heh!

And what’s next for you?

Right now I am working on a new remix through my management at HMWL and a couple of new original tracks that I don’t have a clue what to do with. Will also focus on the release party on the 23rd of April for the MAAL – No More feat. Sep release that will take place at Maskineriet in Stockholm. Then I will do a couple of more radio shows and a few more interviews. Hopefully this release will take me new places, you know. So go ahead and follow me on Facebook to stay updated. See you in Stockholm! https://www.facebook.com/maalmusic.

MAAL’s No More (ft. Sep) is out 24th April on the HMWL label

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