Now here is a man whose contribution to the dance scene over the years has been phenomenal, responsible for bringing us 2 globally loved dance music brands, Hed Kandi and Fierce Angel. As he gets set for his next big Fierce Angel event with a huge charity auction this Easter Sunday in London, we check in with the huge ball of energy that is Mr Mark Doyle…!
A huge welcome back to DMCWORLD Mark, where on planet earth are you today?
I’ve been UK based for the last couple of months, as we’ve had a lot of artist release work to sort out, so I currently locked in the home office taking care of the slightly more boring side of the job!
What is the best piece of new music you have heard recently?
I’ll obviously avoid anything we’re releasing as I’m ever so slightly biased. It seems to be a great time for music and dare I say it proper soulful vocals are back in force. I’m currently loving the new material from Tropical Velvet their main guy KORT is releasing some really quality music, the new David Penn track called “Join Us” has a remix from Full Intention and is amazing. Simon Dunmore’s Glitterbox label is on fire as well, one of my current favourites is the Crazy P mix of Sisy Ey’s ‘Restless’.
How’s 2018 been treating you so far and what have you been up to with the Fierce Angel crew?
We returned home from an amazing series of parties in Mexico at the end of January. We were performing over NYE with the main Fierce Collective team and managed to slip in a bit of a holiday too. Since then it’s been full steam ahead on artist releases. We have two compilations from Bonnie Bailey that showcases all her unreleased material. There’s over 65 tracks so it’s taken alot of pulling together and hard work but it’s due in May. We’re also working on a ton of production work with new singles from Mirifico, Soraya Vivian and a new singer called Roxanne.
You’ve got a big party coming up next Saturday in London with a big charity Auction, tell us all about it!
Although we perform all over the UK and the world I’ve always found London parties to be few and far between and due to the amount of great nights in London all a bit too competitive. So I wanted a space where we could invite some great DJ’s to play to an intimate crowd and jus have a good time. Taking the promotion and profit equation out of it meant everyone worked for free, there was almost no stress and we had the opportunity to raise some money for charity. The party takes place at Karma Sanctum Soho Hotel and it’s the perfect space for us. We’ve held parties in the private cinema, their roof terrace and their restaurant and each event has something a little special about it. On Sunday April 1st we are welcoming Stonebridge, Richard Bright, Adam Hornblow (who also installs our amazing Funktion One system) along with a live PA from Soraya Vivian.
Is charity work something close to your heart, who will you be raising money for this week and what’s up for grabs?
I’ve been incredibly lucky in the years I’ve been involved in music and I just thought every so often it would be nice to do something for someone else. Using favours and contacts and my experience to raise money for some good causes seemed the right thing to do. At each event we hold a charity auction with items donated by friends and other companies and use it to raise money for NSPCC, Teenage Cancer Trust & Nordoff Robbins. This time we’ve got a holiday in Indonesia donated by Scallywags, Easter Luxury Chocolate and Bubbles donated by ChoccywoccyDooDah and Bottega, limited edition signed Artwork and even a pair of Sunglasses as worn by Stonebridge, There’s also a VIP table at our next event up for grabs and dinner for 4 in an amazing London restaurant
You’ve been causing a storm on the dance music scene for years, responsible for launching 2 of the world’s most loved music brands, Hed Kandi and Fierce Angel. What keeps you inspired to keep going?
I’m still having a good time, plain and simple .. I absolutely love music and travelling round the world playing music is an honour and privilege There’s no doubt that its a far more challenging landscape now. My main love of finding and compiling music as a job has almost been wiped out by streaming, piracy and all the other fun challenges we face, but finding new ways to make things work is part of the fun (and the stress)
What do you like and dislike the most about the current dance scene and what needs to change?
Musically there’s nothing I dislike as I think there’s a little bit of everything to go round and if you don’t like it, don’t listen to it. As some of the bigger labels get swallowed by majors there needs to be more support for the smaller independents and in an ideal world it would be great if we could all work together. In terms of the DJ side business I wish people would employ quality over facebook likes or chart positions, it’s probably the only job where the more experience you gain an the older you get the less you get paid.. (porn probably works the same way).
Who are your favourite current producers?
There are more than a few, ready for a list?
Eric Kupper, The Fierce Collective, Dr Packer, Full Intention, KORT, Crazy P, Stonebridge, Freemasons, Richard Earnshaw. Opolopo.. I could go on!
Difficult question alert! Out of all the Hed Kandi and Fierce Angel years, what’s been your personal favourite release and why?
There are four and all for very different reasons, ‘Put Em High’ By Stonebridge & Therese, something I was involved in from signing the deal with Stone to picking a track from the album, to overseeing the remix and the video and then watching it go Top 3 in the national chart. ‘Fade’ by Solu Music quite simply a stunning piece of music in it’s original mix and a track we tried to sign for nearly 3 years after including it on an early Beach House. ‘Higher Place’ by Peyton a track I discovered on a demo asked Eric Kupper to remix and helped create a true gospel house anthem and finally Bonnie Bailey’s ‘Ever After’. Bonnie is one of the best song writers I’ve ever encountered with a truly unique voice, there’s a reason I’ve spent over 12 years trying to release her album!
Three big tunes in your record box this weekend…
It’s all classics this weekend …
Joe Smooth – Promised Land, Degrees Of Motion – Shine On, Gat Decor – Passion, The Brand New Heavies – Back to Love, T-Empo – Saturday Night – Sunday Morning
Who would you most like to play a B2B DJ set with?
I’m lucky as I’ve got to play B2B sets with many of my heroes, but I’m happiest when I go back to my original Back To Back partner Andy Norman. We started out DJing together back in ’99 and he joined me at Hed Kandi too. We always have a great time when we play together.
We come and raid your record collection, which piece of embarrassing vinyl do you need to chuck out the window as we arrive?
None, I love all my records and hoard them accordingly. There are some screamers in there from what we call “the karaoke years” I spent a few years playing the fun pubs in between trendy club nights… And I do have a euro pop section in the garage… Oh and the theme from “Black Beauty” by the London Symphony Orchestra on 7inch, but that was one of my first vinyl records bought for me when I was about 6!
What else do you need to chuck out the window?
Mice…we have 4 cats and live in the country, the amount of squeaky wildlife that comes in thru the catflap is ridiculous.
Looking back, what precious piece of music industry advice would you give yourself, knowing what you know today?
Don’t look back and worry about what might have been, the experience to sort problems out only comes with experience. So thinking you should have done something different will drive you insane and leave you not moving forward. On a less philosophical note staying awake in Ibiza for 3 days and inviting most of the club you are playing at back for a party in your villa is also a reasonably bad decision.
You’ve got bookings crammed in all year, where are you most looking forward to playing in 2018?
Well obviously London on Sunday, then Bangkok for their New Year on Friday April 13th, which should be amazing. Further on we’re planning parties in Hong Kong, Mauritius and Singapore, but I’m most excited about a weekend in Ibiza where we have just secured an amazing venue for my birthday party on Saturday May 19th… And everyones invited!
What else have you got lined up for the Fierce Angel brand this season?
I’ve mentioned Bonnie Baileys album and the first volume is out in May with the second following close behind in June. We will be releasing her classic track Ever After as a summer anthem with new remixes, plus there will be new singles from Mirifico and Soraya Vivian. Also I’m hard at work in the studio on some new Fierce Collective and Fac15 material… busy busy busy … !!!!
Easter Fierce is on Sunday 1st April at Karma Sanctum, Soho, London with DJs Stonebridge, Mark Doyle, Soraya Vivan Live, Adam Hornblow and guests
https://www.facebook.com/fierceangels
