Sirk TV Exclusive Print Interview: MARKUS SCHULZ [The Avalon - Los Angeles]

Aug 29

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Trance denotes a variety of processes, ecstasy, techniques, modalities, awareness and consciousness. This is the definition as one can read it on Wikipedia but also also what happens to one happy soul when attending a performance by DJ extraordinaire Markus Schulz. Indeed one feels enlightened and almost can levitate when dancing in front of the stage. We caught up with Markus as he was prepping for a long night of full vibration and transformation at the Avalon Nightclub in Los Angeles.One of the hardest working DJs in the business, Markus is on a plane on most days during the summer with daily performance across the globe...and he is known for his extra-long sets. While most celebrity DJs perform for a couple of hours at their show, Markus loves to play all night long. The night following this interview, Markus started his gig at 12:30 AM and kept the crowd pleased until 7 AM, save for a short break where KhoMha (one of Markus' talented DJs from his Cold Harbour label), took over the decks. If that wasn't enough, Markus is also about to release his new artist album "Scream!" on August 31, 2012. What transpires when meeting this world famous DJ is how he remains so humble and fresh, and yet so curious about everything. There is a contagious Joie de Vivre when hanging out with Markus. You are given a welcomed feeling as one has to dance during his set non stop! Prepare yourself, open your mind, open all your senses and be ready to jump!Q: So how is your life right now with this busy summer?Markus Schulz: We are in the middle of the summer festival season. I usually start in Europe and I spend most of the summer doing the big festivals over there. Last week was Nature One and there was also another big Festival in Helsinki: Global Gathering. I also do a residency at Privilege in Ibiza called "A State of Trance Invasion". It’s a very busy period.Q: How do you explain that lately there is such a craving for EDM festivals and performances?MS: I think it’s because of this new generation with the younger crowd taking the scene with a new energy. It started here in the US but now it’s spreading all over Europe as well. You can see a generation shift . They love the music and the vibe, and are really into it.STV: Tell us about your new album "Scream".MS: My new album is about to come out indeed. There will be 23 tracks. Usually I make 20 tracks and pick 13. But with this album we literally got into fights at the office. We couldn’t figure out which tracks to drop. The fight got really bad. We threw stuff at each other! But because iTunes is so big and physical copies are hard to sell I didn’t see what was stopping us from putting out all these tracks. So we put [them all out]. Half are vocals and half are instrumental. This album is really for everybody. You can find "your" perfect album with your 10 favorite songs from this album. If you like more vocals, they are there. There is cross over stuff as well with a good mix of commercial tracks.STV: Tell us about your production and creative process?MS: I make all these tracks with no pre-conceived idea about what the album will sound like. I’m just going with the feeling of the moment. If I feel darker, I will make something darker. Or if I’m at a big music festival, I will end up doing a big music festival track. I never feel the need to do this or that; I just create. And then at the end I figure out how it all fits together. An entire artist album like "Scream" took me two years to produce.STV: Do you think the tools to create tracks are different now? Was any new software created for this new album?MS: No. Mostly I use what's available to everyone. But the most important thing for me is the vision and the vibe. I make tracks for my shows so I have certain ideas in mind about the visuals and the lights. I think, in terms of performance, the tracks are built with queues in it.STV: What is the seasonal mood of the moment? Darker? Lighter?MS: As an artist you grow. Some artists change. I believe in staying true to who you are and evolving. The last couples years, my music, for sure, got a little more aggressive. I got tired of the typical two minutes breakdowns. It felt uncomfortable to look at people on the dance floor staying still for 2 minutes before [the track] kicks back in. Then 3 minutes later there is another 2-minute long breakdown. I got tired of that. [Because of that], I started looking for [different] tracks, and editing and making my music with more momentum and drive. Right now I’m focused on my live shows, with certain themes and riffs, or a vocal with a message I’m trying to send to the audience. The focus is different.STV: In term of growth, how do you see the genre evolving in terms of next steps?MS: I think there are so many more exciting new things being added to live shows. Right now we’re putting [together] the album tour. It will incorporate lots of new technological ideas people are coming to me with. The shows are going to be more and more interactive and visually stunning. I just saw this Cirque du Soleil [performance] with Tupac on the screen so everything is changing with live performances incorporating new technologies.STV: Do you think the business has changed lately?MS: Well...what happens now [is that] lots of people are in it, and it’s very cutthroat and political. You have more enemies. I have been friends with so many DJs [over the years] but sometimes you hear bad things coming from management to management. I understand the scene is growing and I understand there are more opportunities. But yes, there is some back stabbing and hopefully it doesn’t happen too often. But it’s highly competitive right now indeed…STV: You were born in Germany and moved to US with your parents as a teenager. What does your heart belong right now?MS: I feel like a "Citizen of the World"! I’m comfortable wherever I’m at. This is in my blood: this business and the touring. When I was young I remember being so amazed [where I was]. But now I feel everywhere at home, whether it’s in the Middle East or Asia.STV: LA has become quite the scene for EDM. Do you find time to hang out in the city?MS: I love to hang out in LA. I always take notes when I visit new cities because I know I will be back so I can feel at home by exploring new restaurants and lounges. This is why I feel at home everywhere because I take the time to explore and appreciate every city.STV: What do you do when you don’t create or listen to music?MS: I love sports! I follow sports a lot. That’s my escape. And I love to chill. Also I Iove to listen to classic rock as well as ambient because I love to listen and dissect tracks to find out what instruments they are using.STV: What keeps you going and inspires you?MS: The dans keep me going and inspired! You can be tired and jet lagged but I know the minute I’m on the stage with the crowd with their faces full of energy, the adrenaline will kick in. I will take off and fly all night long!