DMC says hello to the amazing producers and DJs Simon Marlin and Max Reich who have made so many dancefloors happy…
You two are recognised as two of the coolest producers ever who make music for us all that is just so sexy. Let’s start with your Number 1 tune from 2004 – ‘Lola’s Theme’…what was the motivation behind the record, how has it changed your lives?”
“The motivation was to make a debut release for our new label at the time – Nocturnal Groove, and after ‘Lola’ inspired me, we went straight into the studio and put it together. Dramatically, it’s enabled us to be able to live a more comfortable lifestyle and play gigs all over the world and keep earning a living from something we love to do, not many can say that really, we’re very lucky people.”
Tell us about the new album out this week…
“The Shapeshifters ‘In The House’ is a 3 CD compilation that just really puts the record straight as to who we are, what we do as DJ’s and Producers – and the influences behind our sound.”
Simon, you and Max got together when you signed him to the Down Boy record label… how did all that come about?
“I was asked to DJ in Gothenburg by a mutual friend of ours and he knew I was looking to sign new producers to a small Indie label called Downboy which I working for at the time. He introduced me to Max and that was that.”
What has been your record of 2008?
“Hercules and Love Affair ‘Blind’ (Frankies Knuckles Remix)… House Music in it’s purest form!”
What has been your best gig of 2008?
“Very tough one that, but pushed it would have to be The Nocturnal Groove terrace at Global Gathering this year followed closely by Pacha Ibiza.”
What is on your ipod all the time?
“Don’t know, Lola has it!”
Simon, what clubs/raves were you jumping around in in the late 80s and early 90s that led to all this…
“‘Method’ and ‘Spectrum’ in London, The Eclipse in Coventry, Shelley’s in Stoke on Trent, ‘Raindance’ all over the place, the ‘Dreamscape’ and ‘World Party’ raves, ‘Renaissance’ in Mansfield, Tu Tu’s in Colchester, The Barn in Braintree, Spiral Tribe at Castle Morton), Progress in Derby, The Garage/Cool Cats in Nottingham, Hard Times and Back to Basics in Leeds, The Ministry of Sound and a little known place called Pure Filth – amongst many many more random events.”
Max, I know you are both West London bods now, but you’re from Gothenburg originally and used to throw illegal raves there… what was all that about?
“Well that”s a long story but I”ll try to make it short! It all started in 1990 when the whole Acid House scene exploded in Europe and that was the same year I moved back to Gothenburg after living in Spain for 8 years. So for about six years I was organising anything from one-off big warehouse parties to small, sweaty club nights to finance my studio equipment – and my vinyl addiction. But after been thrown in jail one too many times, I knocked it on the head and decided to spend more time in the studio producing music that thank god, paid off.”
What music did you both grow up to listening to?
Max – “U2, Peter Gabriel, Prince, Michael Jackson and loads more, but in 1987 that all changed and become a bit more housey for some reason!”
Simon – “Al Green, Marvin Gaye, Michael Jackson/Jackson 5, Quincy Jones, Stevie Wonder, Chaka Khan, Tears for Fears, The Smiths, New Order, Hall and Oates and my dad loved the Mamma’s and Pappa’s… So do I!”
Max – our readers will be surprised to hear you have a passion for techno – who are your techno DJs and Artist heroes?
“Always been a big fan of the “real” Swedish house mafia, guys like Adam Beyer, Jesper Dahlbäck, Robert Lanier and Cari Lekebusch… but one of my biggest heroes will probably be Ritchie Hawtin with his early Plastic Man releases on Plus 8. I do still have a massive Techno collection on vinyl back in Sweden that I’m afraid I’ll never see again….”
You have remixed some classic records over the years, erm, Orbital’s ‘Chime’ and Todd Terry’s ‘Get Down’ to name but two, what has been your best remix?
“I think personally our mix of Candi Staton’ You Got The Love’ is our favourite because we love the original so much and was a real honour to be able to do something fresh with it.”
Best ever Ibiza moment?
“The first time we played Pacha, I’ll never forget it.”
What other producer’s do you rate at the moment?
“Martijn Ten Velden, Roy Mclaren, ATFC, Copyright, Spen, Nic Fanciulli and Funkagenda”
What will 2009 bring us from you both?
“Lot’s of new records, we have been touring for 3 months solid and are desperate to get back into the studio.”