As Twisted Disco-Tech looms K.A.R.L. gets the low down from HarderFaster good guy Marcus Rich; or, as his friend, HF stalwart and resident at Techstyle, Stakker describes him, “the nicest man in showbiz.”
Stakker (the tallest man in showbiz) elaborates: “Marcus is always up for a laugh and won’t turn down the flaming Lamborghini challenge, even if it means he is likely to start getting his arsecrack out! Ex BMX champs credentials, Samson-like locks and Twinkle, his strength and power in the DJ box, made him what he was today. Without them he would be Tony Blackburn!”
With friends like that who needs enemies! Read on as one of HarderFaster’s greatest characters and multigenre DJ sensations prepares to cause some commotion at the Fridge on April 1st (isn’t that April Fool’s Day?!).
You’re making your debut at The Fridge on April 1st for Twisted. Can you recall your 1st visit to the Fridge and what party was it?
Being as old as I am my memory isn’t what it used to be and we are talking about a long time ago. I started clubbing around 1988 (Mud Club & Shoom at Buzbys — now The Mean Fiddler) — but didn’t visit the Fridge until a couple of years later. I used to go to a night run by The Funky Dreds (The Soul II Soul Sound System) on Friday nights, a seminal night of upfront music and great people. Escape from Samsara was also a regular event for me but that came a bit later on.
I’m really looking forward to losing my Fridge Cherry for Twisted and hope to add this fantastic experience to the many others I’ve enjoyed there. I never would have thought that I would be playing here some 16 years after my first visit.
Marcus Rich
You have quite an eclectic taste in music and you’re playing in The Techno Ice Box @ Twisted. Is this you’re preferred choice of music and what can we expect from you musically ?
I don’t have a preferred choice of music which is why I play so many different genres. I try to source music that is reflective of my musical influences and tastes which is why you’ll hear everything in my sets, from Led Zeppelin to the Beastie Boys. The only rule I stick to when buying tunes and in the words of soul legend James Brown, “whatever I play, it’s got to be funky.”
Musically on the 1st, you’ll hear me play a bit of everything from; minimal techno, funky house, breaks, tribal house, filthy house, funky techno as well as some really different stuff. I guarantee there’s a little something in there for everyone. Come hear for yourselves and keep your ears pealed for a few surprises along the way.
You’re also renowned for your long flowing locks. Do you ever find they get in the way of djing or anything else?
The hair does tend to get in the way of a few things but then you can’t expect to be this beautiful without a little discomfort now and then! Jokes aside, I tie it back when djing, cooking or... ask Twinkle!
I’ve found as a trance dj that a lot of people have a real misconception about trance until they hear me play, thinking its all fluff and lightness. Do you think people do the same with techno?
You are absolutely correct in your statement and the same applies with all music. As we grow up, we are all blinkered by peer pressure and tend to listen to the same music as everyone else to be seen as ‘cool’. The same seems to be true in clubland. Clubbers will not experiment with other genres unless it becomes ‘cool’. It’s up to the djs to re-educate clubbers and let them know what else is out there. You’ve inspired me and given me the chance to play multi genre sets, I hope I can offer some inspiration to someone else.
Tell us a bit about your influences and favourite djs. Why do you rate them?
My biggest and most memorable musical influence would be ‘The Godfather of Soul’ James Brown, he is the reason everything I play has to have that funky element to it. I learned to play the trumpet at the age of 10 but hated learning the theory side of it and would often jam to James Brown instead of learning scales. Other influences were bands like Led Zeppelin, The Doors, Bob Marley, Run DMC, Public Enemy, Faith No More, Nirvana etc etc, there are far too many to list them all.
I’ve been influenced by so many great djs over the years and the list is longer than my Johnson. Favourites include Carl Cox because of his skills as a DJ, multi-genre sets and ability to mix whatever he wants whenever he wants. He is also one of the nicest and charismatic characters in the scene.
Andy Farley always made a big impression on me because of his superb technical ability. Djs that have made an impression on me recently have been you [Awww bless! Ed], Marcopilf, Hefty & Dan (Latex Zebra), not just for their skills as djs but for their attitude, big hearts and genuine personalities.
The biggest and most important influence of my life has been my fiancé Francoise. I owe her so much and if it wasn’t for her, I may still be playing hard house.
Twisted is changing its music policy back to its trance roots. Would you say this was a good move? Or do people in London only want hard dance?
This is a decision Twisted should make wisely as London clubbers are becoming a different breed. Personally I prefer events that offer you a choice of more than one genre and wouldn’t really ever go to a pure trance night. Obviously there are nights to cater for every genre and sub genre but there aren’t many that offer a full spectrum of music unless it in a multi-arena/room venue. I love an event that progressively builds through the night creating an atmosphere that caters for every taste while educating people who may not have experienced one or more styles. This is what I’m trying to do with Sets in the City but I’ll come to that later. I’d say clubbers are after the overall clubbing experience and don’t necessarily go just for the music. Some of the best and most enjoyable clubbing experiences for me have been psy trance parties. They make a real effort to influence all of the senses at once. These parties really go off!
I’m really looking forward to seeing how Twisted has evolved as I haven’t been for a while. I used to frequent the Chunnel club a lot when they used to throw parties down there. Bring it on I say!
I hear you’re a bit of a dab hand in the kitchen. What’s your speciality?
I love cooking, it gives me another creative outlet. Curries are my speciality, I love spicy food as it gives you a natural high when cooked well. Twinkle and I have a favourite dish which is a Thai fish curry made with lots of fresh ingredients including crab, squid, king prawns, white fish and muscles. I base this on a red curry but add my own twist to it. I love traditional cooking too but as with my music, I like to give it a more individual flavour.
Your fiancé La Twinkle has recently taken to the decks. Is there any competitive banter at home and do you fight about that’s turn is it to have a mix?
It’s actually fantastic to have a partner that shares the same passion as you. There is never any competitiveness between us and we never fight over the decks. We have been known to mix for 4 to 5 hours together, starting with funky house, working our way right through to some classic hard house. She won’t touch my full on acid techno though.
Your also associated with Sets In The City and Battle Royale. Can you tell us more about these parties and future plans?
These are two parties which I started to give something back to the scene and the wonderful people Twink and I have met since joining HarderFaster. Both events started off as a bit of fun and were never about the money or glory.
Battle Royale was an up and coming DJ night I ran with Twinkle, Miss C and Markus Bachmann at Turnmills. The idea for the event was born on HarderFaster, following a silly row between Hannah Wild and myself, and gave newcomers the chance to showcase their talents, in the main room of this legendary club, in front of some of the biggest promoters & djs in the city. Judges included Will Frantic, The *Ting*, Steve from Knowwhere, Shaf De Bass and Marc Johnson. I would really love to bring this event back to life soon as it was a really valuable addition to the scene. It was also one hell of a party.
Sets in the City was a night I started as a big free party for all of the fantastic people and friends we’ve met since joining HarderFaster. I also wanted to give something back to all the people who have shown their support for Twinkle and I in respect of our djing. All you lovely people know who you are!
I’m currently talking to someone about a big outdoor summer collaboration party that promises to be something very special indeed. In the mean time, I’m working on the Sets in the City Spring time sequel. You lucky lucky people.
You’re also a bit of an artist I understand with UV backdrops. Any plans to deck any clubs out with this work?
My whole family are artistic in some way and I hope to carry on the legacy in one way or another. The cooking and djing are fantastic creative outlets for me but they just aren’t enough. I have developed a very fresh new style of ultra violet/fluorescent art works based on techniques learnt in the animation industry. I’ve also developed some dual oscillating and rotating images which are trippy to say the least. I intend to start a small business sometime this year supplying clubs, pubs and bars with my art installations whether they are buying or renting. I hope you get to see it soon as its definitely worth a look. Maybe Twisted will be one of the first promotions to showcase the works. HINT HINT!
Thanks for you time Marcus and here’s looking forward to the Disco-Tech!
As more and more parties in London repeatedly book the same old line-ups with the same old music, Twisted dares to be different and on the 1st April it welcomes you to the Disco-Tech. A night of upfront and cutting edge trance and techno which is sure to have you on the dancefloor all night and wanting more come 6 o'clock.
Headlining this special event is none other than Goodgrief's Adam Sheridan. A firm favourite of Paul van Dyk's and having played everywhere from Cream in Ibiza to the Vandit nights in Berlin, this is an extremely rare appearance for the Mixmag future hero at the Fridge. Alongside Adam we also welcome Greg Downey for his Twisted debut. With appearances at Scream, Serious & The Gallery and releases on top trance label Discover, his style which he describes as 'trance with balls' is sure to destroy the dancefloor.
Alonside these two are Twisted monthly resident Trevor McLachlan and bi-monthly resident K.A.R.L. Trevor's style of uplifting trance and hard trance has been setting the Fridge alight for the past year and in January was appointed monthly resident. This is someone who knows how to rock the Twisted crowd like no-one else. K.A.R.L.'s unique sound of pumping tech-trance and techno tore the Fridge apart in December and we welcome him back for another peaktime set. Expect lots of hard and tough grooves from one of London's rising stars.
On warm up duty will be Daegal Brain. Having held a residency for Twisted before he is no stranger to the main room. Expect a funky, chunky set with twists and turns which builds and builds, and entices you onto the dancefloor.
The Ice Box will rock to the sounds of funky techno.
On hand we have from London's top underground party Techstyle, Marcopilf and Marcus Rich. Marcopilf has recently been making waves in London with appearances at F and Insekt with his pumping funky techno and Marcus is a regular on the London scene and the newest of the Techstyle residents. Joining thse two, from Prehab will be Dave Irvine. Another favourite from London, his style of twisted techy beats will definately have your feet firmly on the dancefloor.
The views and opinions expressed in this review are strictly those of the author only for which HarderFaster will not be held responsible or liable.
Comments:
From: Kris Nobleon 20th Mar 2006 19:54.15 nice one marcus!
From: dean peterson 20th Mar 2006 20:01.17 Cracking interview. Top man. Heard him play quite a few times now and he really is a top quality dj. Massive music knowledge and technically superb...enjoy twisted sir....
From: Neil Englishon 20th Mar 2006 20:10.01 Top Man!
From: ~deleted1390on 20th Mar 2006 20:54.27 A Superstar in the making. Watch this boy go far. A very good ear for the music and a good head for what comes with it.
From: Sphericalon 21st Mar 2006 07:27.30 Enjoyed your set at the HF party in December. Look forward to what you have in store for this night.
From: Tartipantson 21st Mar 2006 07:28.52 Well done honey.
From: ~deleted9531on 21st Mar 2006 08:14.16 Thanks guyz
Can't wait for the 1st, it's gonna rock
From: steelo kuchikion 21st Mar 2006 09:11.34 wicked interview mate
From: Little Miss Mooon 21st Mar 2006 09:59.13 You like your curry with muscles? Now that's Twisted!
From: Lizzie Curiouson 21st Mar 2006 10:25.36 Nice one Marcus!! I cant be there on the 1st, but look forward to hearing you play again supersoon!
Lizzie xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx ps love to La Twinkle too xxxxx
From: STACEon 21st Mar 2006 11:00.09 great one Marcus hon, love the pics!
From: Faster Tonion 21st Mar 2006 11:04.51 Nice one monkey man,
From: Not Marcuson 21st Mar 2006 11:35.04 nice one mate
From: Ualdaon 21st Mar 2006 13:23.58 What is Marcus going to play at hUJe? I like that pic!
Good interview and have fun in the Fridge and in the City!!
From: anushka007on 21st Mar 2006 15:04.16 Wicked read boys I am so looking forward to this party
From: Tina Martinon 21st Mar 2006 15:36.49 Wicked iv guys! Gutted I can't make it.. go easy on popping Marcus' cherry Karl!
From: bennetton 21st Mar 2006 17:40.29 Nice one marcus! top lad
From: DJ Zoneon 21st Mar 2006 21:47.46 Nice one Markus. And hurry up and bring back the HF Battle Royale FFS!
From: The Jayon 22nd Mar 2006 12:16.46 Wisdom of the ages my friend, great interview. Sorry I can't be there but good luck.
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Well done honey.
Thanks guyz 
great one Marcus hon, love the pics!
What is Marcus going to play at hUJe? I like that pic! 
I am so looking forward to this party 
very much lookin forward to gracing the decks at sets in the city 