Exclusive interview with one of the men behind Saved as the genius label strikes 100
Interview : Dan Prince
Mark welcome to DMCWORLD and a massive congratulations on the big Saved big 100! It’s been 9 years since the first Saved release – Skylark presents Buick Project – ‘Chancer / Drop The Beat’, 9 years of nurturing new talent and pushing the envelope for electronic music as a whole. Quite a trip eh…?
The obvious question first – what are the biggest changes in the music industry running a label since you began? How did you first get involved with Saved?
“I first got involved a while after I graduated from college. Nic offered me a job to help me work with him on the label, helping out with the releases and stuff and I was real excited to get involved. One of the changes I’ve seen is the volatility of the vinyl market. Obviously vinyl has declined a great amount and has been very unreliable. Another thing is the importance of social media. Over time it has become more and more essential to the labels promotion, reaching out to people across the globe, spreading the brand.”
The Saved 100 album has taken a year to plan and features original material from the label bosses yourself and Nic alongside a host of the mainstays and a special exclusive mix delivered by yourself. Please give us a few words on the tracks making up this mouth watering album that is set to be one of the must have’s of 2014…
Alex Tepper – IDS Ate My Ego
“One of our favourite regulars who delivers a house bomb that causes chaos on the dance floor.”
Gary Beck – Around You
“A talented and unique artist who delivers a powerful track with a lot of energy.”
Gary Beck – Say What (Adam Beyer Remix)
“The original was a big record for us and the remix Adam delivered has the potential to have the same impact.”
Julien Chaptal – Illin (Tom Trago Remix)
“Tom drops a remix with a deep vibe alongside cool synths.”
Lauren Lane – Everyday Weekend
“A fantastic follow up to her debut EP on Saved.”
Leon & Toky AKA Superhero – Darkness Of Change (Paolo Rocco’s Late Morning Dub)
“Paolo’s interpretation showcases why he is an in-demand artist and here uses the original parts to great effect.”
Mark Broom – Supersnout (Danny Daze LSD Mix)
“One of the first remixes we had in and one that has been gaining a real buzz from the promo campaign.”
Mark Fanciulli – Frame Of Mind
“A bit of a deeper number from me.”
Mark Fanciulli – Sacrifice (Nic Fanciulli Edit)
“Nic does a great job of tweaking my track and it works great on the floor.”
Nic Fanciulli – The Social
“This is in a category of energetic, very underground records that Nic does, and he does it very, very well.”
Nic Fanciulli Vs &ME – Feel It
“A perfect and exciting match between the boss and one of our regulars.”
Philip Bader – Back
“One of the first singles we received for Saved100 came from the talented Berliner.”
Philip Bader – Getting Lost (Just Be “In The Music” Mix
“Just Be delivers a remix that is both interesting and programmed well using the original vocals to great effect.”
Robert Dietz – Anger Management
“Robert’s record is very unique in my opinion and possesses an edge that not many records have.”
Spencer Parker – The Look Feat. Dan Beaumont (Director’s Cut Signature Mix)
“I think that the legendary Frankie Knuckles and Eric Kupper were so suited to work on this remix and they nailed it.”
Stacey Pullen – Get Loose
“Great groove and vibe, this track is getting a lot of love from the promo campaign.”
Steve Mac – Reaching (Joris Voorn Rework)
“Joris is a producer who is consistently at a top level and demonstrates his great production skills on a track taken from Steve’s artist album “Roots”
Subb-An – This Place (Samuel. L Remix)
“Samul.l’s remix is quality, a real trippy number, a game changer on the dance floor.”
Terrence Parker – Song Bird
“Terrence is another legend who appears on the release and delivers a monster of a track with some great keys.”
&ME – Matters (Mark Fanciulli Remix)
“&ME is a good friend of mine, which made it even more fun to work on. The parts to work with were great, the percussion being my favourite.”
Alongside the album you are also in the middle of the Saved 100 Tour, which began in New York in January. Where have been some of the stand out gigs on the road…
“The first weekend of the tour took place at Output in New York and Flash in D.C. and both shows were great. I have played Flash before and like Output hope to return there again soon. Mob in Palermo, Sicily was also a memorable one, it was a big warehouse style venue filled with a great atmosphere. Later this month we will be going to Culture Box in Copenhagen, which I’ve heard great things about, so am looking forward to my first visit there.”
What is the current top 10 you are spinning…
“In no particular order I am really into these tracks…..
Alex Blaxx – The Evening News (Raw Demo Mix)
Oscar L – Last Call (Original Mix)
Leon – King of the Jungle (Original Mix)
Wehbba – Red Shuffle (dubspeeka Remix)
Truncate – Bipolar (Original Mix)
Oscar L – Drums (Original Mix)
Andrea Roma, Daniele Petronelli – Punto. (Original Mix)
Cosmin TRG – Vertigo (Tale Of Us & Fango Remix)
Seff – Breakin (Original Mix)
Proudly People – Moments (Original Mix)
We interviewed you last year and obviously asked you what it was like working alongside your brother, families are sometimes a difficult thing combining work and play. What would you say are your individual strengths when it comes to running a label and also in the studio?
“Some of my strengths include planning the release schedule and working with the artists. We see work as more as a friendship than a business agreement. I have always been lucky to work with great artists, both the established and up and comers. Studio wise, one of my strengths is being able to come up with ideas quite quick such as hooky grooves. When something comes up fast it puts me in a great workflow.”
Please can you tell us about you mix on the Saved 100 comp?
“The Saved100 comp is made up of 20 tracks, 10 originals and 10 remixes. The individual tracks will be available on download and vinyl however there will be a triple CD available too. CD1 will be a mix from myself, which contains all of these tracks, CD2 are the full-length originals and CD3 are the full-length remixes.”
DMC are of course the company behind the World DJ Championships that incorporates the world famous Battle. So we arm you and Nic with the same pile of records and stick you in a great little underground club with 300 people stomping on the dancefloor. Who would steal the battle glory between you two? Heh heh…
“Haha that would be fun, we rarely DJ alongside one another. We’re at the same gigs a couple of times each year but it’s been nice sharing the trips with him on the Saved100 tour playing in the same room and sometimes B2B. I like to do things like that rarely as it makes it more fun but it has been just as fitting doing it on the Saved100 tour. Closing Story in Miami together the other week was great.”
Whenever I am abroad I always get asked what it is about your hometown and Maidstone that keeps on producing great music, great parties and great DJs. I am usually stumped for words. Can you shed any light on this matter dude?
“Maidstone is a typical English town and most English towns have only a small minority into underground stuff with the majority being into commercial. However, we have always had a healthy number of people into underground music both as ravers and producers. Also combined with being easy to reach from London and the home counties people will travel to the parties.”
Miami is around the corner, what are the plans for you all…?
“In Miami I will be playing a couple of shows including the final Saved100 party, which will be at Mokai.”
As is festival season which you have a great history with. Any field trips for the label coming up?
“Although it’s a separate entity, Nic puts on a festival in our hometown called the Social festival. It returns later this year for its 2nd time on September 13th and has Ame, Carl Cox and Dixon playing. More are going to be announced and tickets are available from http://www.residentadvisor.net/event.aspx?562510
And finally, what’s next for Saved Records studio wise? What are the future release plans for one of our most loved labels…?
“Soon the promo will begin for Saved101 which will be coming later this month – it’s a great 5 track EP from Cuartero.”
Featuring a staggering 20 original productions and remixes, Saved Records are proud to present their 100th release. Saved 100 features original material from label bosses Nic and Mark Fanciulli alongside Saved mainstays Robert Dietz, Philip Bader, Stacey Pullen, Gary Beck and Alex Tepper. Mouth-watering remixers include Danny Daze, Frankie Knuckles, Joris Voorn and Adam Beyer with the likes of Subb-an, Spencer Parker, Terrence Parker and Mark Broom all also set to feature in a compilation that displays both the depth and dexterity of Saved Record’s impressive back catalogue. The compilation also comes with an exclusive mix from Mark Fanciulli, serving up a label perspective from right within the eye of the Saved nucleus…
