Opera Nightclub
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One-On-One with Markus Schulz.
Introduction: Please tell our readers your rich background in the music industry.
Markus Schulz: I’m Markus Schulz, born in Germany but moved over here with my father who was in the army, now residing in sunny Miami. I produce music and DJ around the world, I LOVE my job! I run Coldharbour Records which I’m really proud of, we have some amazing artists on our roster and we’re always pushing to break out the best sounds and producers. I also have my radio gig, the Global DJ Broadcast show which goes out weekly to loads of stations worldwide.
ATL Nightlife: You successfully blend progressive house & trance into an inimitable hybrid sound. Do you often get labeled as a one particular genre DJ? How does this affect you?
Markus Schulz: I am labeled as “trance”. I don’t think I am 100% as such, but I’m cool with that. I understand the media needs to have jump-in reference points for their readership. Its the means to an end in terms of spreading the word!
ATL Nightlife: For those who are just getting into the dance scene. Are there stereotypes/stigmas of what genres of music are more favorable than others?
Markus Schulz: Certainly, but again that’s something driven by the dance music press. I’m not going to perpetuate any of it here by singling any out. I would say though that pretty much every dance music genre has had its peak and nadir.
ATL Nightlife: You host Global DJ Broadcast (over 5 years running) that is available for easy download. For newcomers, why should listen tune in?
Markus Schulz: Ah, you want me to pitch you! Ok, I can do that! Well we do the World Tour date as the first show of every month, which features a two hour continuous mix from a new club or event. We’ve already done some pretty special ones so far this year that I think have locked in the intrinsic individual sounds of clubbing from many corners of the world - places like LA, St Petersburg & Sao Paulo. The key to its success is picking gigs that are really going to convey a different clubbing experience to those people who tune in for the show. Aside from that on the other weeks well I just spend every spare moment seeking out and hunting down the very best electronic dance music out there, mixing it together and presenting it to the good people!
ATL Nightlife: You’ve punched your way into TOP 10 of DJ Magazine’s Top 100 Chart, landing as America’s no. 1 club DJ (2009). What do you accredit to your success? Where does Markus Schulz go from here?
Markus Schulz: Where do I go after Atlanta? Chicago!! Just kidding… To be honest, I just want to keep doing what I love doing and I hope others like it as well. I’m not someone who really thinks too much about say, July 2011, July 2012, whatever. In terms of accrediting success, well I guess you have to have something inside that drives things to start with. That said never underestimate the power of a good team behind you. You can only go so far without one.
ATL Nightlife: Your natural audience affinity, flawless mixing and innate tune selection is paralleled by your production. What’s can we expect from you this year?
Markus Schulz: That’s a bit tricky! I’ve just had my new artist album out middle of last month and my Las Vegas ’10 compilation released in Feb. I do have a major project out at the end of this year – a first for me- but I am sworn an oath of silencio at the moment. I think the phrase I’ve struggling for is… watch this space!
ATL Nightlife: Performing night after night, what brings you joy in your career?
Markus Schulz: You could just say that performing night after night brings joy to my career! Seeing people enjoying themselves to my music… When they are singing along to tracks as I play them, jumping around and genuinely having a great time that is what all the travel, long days and bad airport food is worth while.
ATL Nightlife: What’s do you like to do on your down time? What’s your favorite
hobbies?
Markus Schulz: I love sports. I like to go play basketball. Getting out there and being competitive on the court is something I really enjoy.
ATL Nightlife: With your return to Opera Nightclub, what makes this visit different from the last?
Markus Schulz: Well I have all the tracks from the new album ‘Do You Dream?’ and a lot of great visuals to play around with. Sixteen tracks from across the prog/trance/chill range (and every minutiae interconnector!) has definitely enriched things for me. They took me nearly 18 months to perfect – every gig that comes around I look forward to seeing what the reaction is going to be like to the ones I play.
ATL Nightlife: In Atlanta, are there any places you like to visit?
Markus Schulz: To be honest, I love grits. I just want to go someplace to have some really great grits!
ATL Nightlife: What advice do you have to local DJ/Producers who inspire to follow in your footsteps?
Markus Schulz Finding your groove and sticking to it. So many producers and DJs try to be all things to all people and it just can’t happen. You can’t possibly have a true representation of yourself if you are trying to please everyone. It just isn’t possible. Find the genre of music that really moves and inspires you and stick to it. I did at the turn of the millennium and I’ve not looked back.
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Article by Louis Nguyen
Creative Writer for ATL Nightlife
ABOUT ATL NIGHTLIFE
ATL Nightlife (http://www.atlnightlife.com) is a multimedia marketing company based out of Atlanta, GA that works with many of the top venues in Atlanta. ATL Nightlife’s coverage extends to encompass all of Atlanta nightlife from nightclubs to fashion shows to MMA events. ATL Nightlife’s goal is to provide top-tier coverage of events while maintaining a high level of production quality.
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