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We hung out with "Deep Tech" DJ extraordinaire Mark Radford
Over the last couple of years, deep house has gone from being an underground offshoot of house to a mainstream staple. Outfits like MajesticCasual and The Sound You Need have elevated the genre to a whole new level of commercial acceptance, and this "Deep House Boom" has inspired many to put their own spin on the fastest growning genre in dance music. Enter Mark Radford, the Bishops Stortford born DJ and Producer who is the driving force behind the current "deep tech" movement, a fusion between - yep, you guessed it - deep house and tech house. Unlike many genres of dance music, deep tech seems like it has real staying power, and Mark is leading the charge. Brought up on raving, acid house, garage and jungle, Mark combines a huge range of influences with jaw dropping turntable skills. We caught up with the man himself to find out more about one of the most exciting DJ's in the country.
Happy New Year Mark! How’s things? What’s new?
Hi Guys, Happy New Year to you too! I just back from NYE out in Morocco so I'm feeling fresh for once!
There’s been a lot of positive media attention around the ‘deep tech’ movement recently. What do you make of it all?
I think its great. We have worked a longtime to get to where we are, so to be getting the recognition is amazing.
The Guardian even described ‘deep tech’ as “the most integrated dance scene in the UK since garage”. Would you agree?
Most definitely, it's bringing all walks of life back together again on the dance floors.I see old skool jungle heads getting down with young fresh faced kids getting their first taste of raving, its so good to see, rather than only a certain type of person coming to the parties and feeling the music.
Lets roll things back to the start. What originally made you start DJing? Has music always been a focus from early on?
I have always wanted to be a DJ, even back when I was a kid I used to set up a DJ booth in my parents living room out of boxes and an old turntable and a tape deck. Whilst in my college years I used to put on parties and I would always hunt out local events to gate crash with my bag of records.
How has your music and its influences evolved since you first began?
I have basically evolved with the music around me. Stretching back from the early days of Acid House - raving in abandoned warehouse's in East London, through the years of Jungle and Drum n Bass when it moved into clubs, and onto the garage years when it was all about dressing up to go out, to where we are today. I feel its gone full circle and every genre of music I have been exposed to comes out in what I'm doing now.
You’ve hosted a prime time slot on Rinse FM since 2011. How did you first hook up with the Rinse guys?
The Rinse Fm hook up came via my good friend Tippa, he is close with Geneus, and was booking me for events he was running back in 2011. I believe this along with the residency I had for Cant Stop Wont Stop brought me to their attention. They asked me to come onboard and I’m still here nearly 4 years later!
How has that relationship affected your career?
Its helped massively, its given a great platform to push and expose new talent which is what its all about for me. I get people from all over the world hitting me up, weather it be when I'm live on air or via my podcasts. It’s incredible to know what I'm doing is reaching people all over the world.
Tell us about your Audio Rehab imprint. Why did you start it?
I launched the label in 2012 as an outlet for the amazing music I was being sent every week. Back then I was searching hard every week for tracks that would fit within the sound I was pushing, then I started getting guys from here in the UK making tracks specifically to fit within this sound. It was a real crazy thing for me to think that people were making music for me to play, so it was just the natural thing for me to do.
What’s your long term vision for it?
My vision is the same now as it was when I started it; to push new artists and music to the world. I truly believe we have the talent on-board to take it world wide and I want to help build everyone involved as much as I possibly can.
Out of Audio Rehab’s latest signings, who stands out as someone who’s pushing the boundaries of the dance music scene?
That’s always the hardest question for me to answer, because everyone on the label is pushing boundaries and creating their own sound within the camp. But, if I have to pick one out at this moment in time, Apollo 84 is hot property right now. He is making all styles from tech and deep through to the more soulful vocal driven stuff. I rate him highly. Another fresh signing that is blowing everyone away with his sound would have to be Ashenz from Paris. He is straight up filthy bass in your face. I love his sound and he is building a strong fan base over here in the UK.
How do you balance Audio Rehab the label alongside Audio Rehab the party? How do they co-exist?
Audio Rehab was a club night before it was a label, I got involved and could see the potential in the brand. We took a break from events for a while and this was when the focus was on building the label. Back at the beginning of last year it just seemed like the right time to put on parties again, the guys were all making amazing music so it was about time we put on an event to show case them all under one roof.
Why Ministry of Sound?
I have always wanted to play at Ministry, I never dreamt that I would be putting on sell out events there. My partner Laurence used to work for them, so I pushed and pushed him to get us in there! For me, it’s without a doubt one of the best venues in the world, the sound system and production in all rooms is top notch.
At Guestlist, we LOVE parties and music. What makes a great dance track in your opinion?
Musicality and Rhythm - a lot of music lacks the feeling and soul that makes a great track.
And what makes a great party?
Me!!!
What do you envisage 2015 holding for you?
I hope that 2015 continues how it has started. If how we are growing as brand at the moment is a sign of things to come, I wish for this to continue through out the year. Taking Audio Rehab abroad is high on my agenda; Ibiza, Amsterdam, Miami, along with festival appearances are high on my want list for 2015.
If you could be anyone else for the day, who would you be?
The prince of Dubai. I would build a huge club and book Mark Radford as resident DJ!!! [Laughs]
What’s the worst job you’ve ever had?
I have had some really rubbish jobs, I worked in warehouses, burger king, a darts factory and the list goes on. But, the worst would have to be a Kirby Hoover salesman. Arrgggh, man it was dire!!!
Your house is burning. What album/record would you take with you and what album/record would you leave?
One of the first ever albums I bought was the Beat Street album, from the break dancing film, so I would have to grab that. For my sins I also own a Five Star album (Britain’s rubbish answer to the Jackson's) so that would definitely get left to melt!
Thanks Mark!
Follow Mark Radford on Twitter here.
Check out Mark's music on Soundcloud here.
