Mark Day is a DJ familiar to many London clubbers in the know, especially the readers of HarderFaster who recently voted him ‘Up and Coming DJ’ for 2009 in the recent HarderFaster awards. With his rapidly burgeoning profile and well-deserved reputation as a purveyor of the very finest in all things psy, the Puzzle team thought it was high time he graced the decks at London’s biggest small party. Ahead of his debut Puzzle Project set on 24th April @ Club 414, Puzzle resident Ali Cantor caught up with Mark for a quick chat on life, music and pizza sandwiches.
Hey Mark, thanks for taking the time to answer some questions. How’s tricks?
Very good thank you – the summer is approaching so I’m very smiley
For those that don’t know you, can you give everyone a little bit of background info – where you’re from, how you got into clubbing and DJing etc.
Well I was born and raised in Paddington in London. My first clubbing experience was at The Fridge nightclub in 2005 for a hard house event – I had an absolutely wicked time and couldn’t wait to repeat the experience again and again and again hehe. I always wanted to be the person up there making people smile and dance so I saved up my money, bought some CDJ’s and never looked back
What style of music do you play?
All forms of psychedelic trance from progressive through to 155bpm forest psytrance.
What is it about psy trance that makes you love it?
The sophisticated melodies, pumping and bouncy basslines, awesome synth sounds, many different layers, squelch sounds, the people it attracts, the parties – I could go on and on really.
In short, everything.
You’ve certainly impressed the readers of HarderFaster, having been voted Best Up and Coming DJ in the 2009 HarderFaster awards. HF members are certainly a musically discerning bunch, so you must have been quite chuffed?
Yeah it was totally unexpected. I remember I was at work on the day the results got released and I got a few texts off mates congratulating me on winning “the award”. I had to ask them what they was talking about when I found out it put a big smile on my face.
Thank you so much to everyone that voted for me, you guys rock!
You’re making your Puzzle Project debut, but have played quite a few London gigs for the like of Psy-n-tific amongst others. How did you land your first few gigs? Any advice for those looking to make the jump from bedroom to club?
When I first started mixing I use to mix house music so I got my first few gigs playing at private parties in The Gherkin building near Liverpool street playing for 4 hours in front of 400 people! My friends dad put on the parties so they asked me to DJ
I would always jump behind the decks every chance I got at squat parties and that’s how I met some awesome people which led to me getting booked at underground psytrance parties.
I would say to anyone looking to play out is to play anywhere and everywhere you possibly can – you will meet a load of new people, have a giggle and get some exposure. Another option is to throw your own party you can play at – make it a good one and you’ll get many people there.
Going farther afield you’ve got an upcoming gig for Illuminaughty in Manchester. Can you tell us a bit about how this came about, and what other gigs you have lined up for 2010?
I sent them a mix of mine last year after I found out they were looking for DJ’s to play at their parties. A few months later I got an email from them asking if I wanted to play at their 4th birthday party in April – I was very shocked and chuffed. I can’t wait to get up there and play!
This year has been a busy one so far – playing somewhere pretty much every week. Apart from Illuminaughty and Puzzle Project I’m looking forward playing at the Itzama party on the 12th of June as well as the Indeepen.Dance outdoor party on the 3rd of July.
Any plans on the production front?
Very much so – I’m currently writing a few tracks with some friends and saving up for a new computer after my laptop died. Once I have that set up I’ll be producing every day.
Who are your favourite producers and labels? Any hot tips on lesser known producers you think will be doing great things in the not too distant future?
Ooh there are so many – Avalon is really doing the business for me at the moment as well as Headroom, Sonic Species, Tron, Laughing Buddha, Chameleon, Xpiral, Cosmotech, Brainiac, Psymmetrix, Asimilion, Archaic, EVP, Ajja… I could fill this entire page up of artists I like!
Labels would be: Wildthings; Bom Shanka; Nano; and Vagalume as well as a few more.
I would also like to tip Phonix records and Mutagen records for great things in the future. Watch this space!
Great thanks for your time. Looking forward to seeing you in action on the 24th! To finish things off, we’ve got a few more quick fire questions for you:
Gordon Brown or Roy ‘Chubby’ Brown?
Roy “Chubby” Brown
Favourite food?
Cheeeeeeeeese and flumps
Dream holiday destination?
Bali - Indonesia
Most outlandish sexual practice you can name off the top of your head?
Donkey punch mixed with the dirty sanchez and the big sausage pizza sandwich.
There’s a big red button in front of you. If you push it you’ll get £1,000,000 but a stranger somewhere will die. There’s no guarantee it will be Simon Cowell. What do you do?
LOL – ummmm, I wouldn’t push it – I’m not that mean….maybe for £10,000,000 though!
All time classic tune?
Spice Girls - Wannabe
Top three tracks of the moment?
1. Avalon – Opus Pokus
2. Avalon, Asimilion and Parasense – It Was Wonderful
3. Headroom & Zen Mechanics – CBR (Tron Remix – Mark Day Edit)
