Innovate preview with trance master Mac Zimms
Reported by Nikki S
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Submitted 11-05-06 17:32
Always on a mission to bring you the freshest new sounds, Innovate is proud to present the first London DJ set in 2006 from the Dutch trance master, Mac Zimms. For the past 5 years Mac has been slamming out tracks that Tiesto, Paul Van Dyk, Marco V, John Askew and Sander Van Doorn have been caning. He is at the top of his game, playing at every major dance festival across Europe, including the legendary Dance Valley.
With over 150 original productions and over 50 remixes to his name, Mac’s tracks have appeared on the most influential dance labels of our time, including Positiva, BPM Dance, Nebula, Universal, Sony Music, Ministry of Sound, Neo Records, AM:PM, EMI, VC Recordings, Tiesto's Black Hole Recordings, Spinnin’ Records, Limit, Discovery, Manifesto, Tidy Trax and many more, alongside artists such as Paul van Dyk, Tiesto, Armin Van Buuren, Mauro Picotto, Sander Kleinenberg, Marco V, Vincent de Moore, Future Breeze, John Flemming, Cosmic Gate, 4 strings, Lost Witness, Robby Rivera and DuMonde . . . just to name a few!
His original tracks and remixes have also appeared on the biggest trance compilations on the planet from Ministry of Sound, Space Ibiza, The Gallery Sessions recorded live at Turnmills, A State of Trance, Hard Dance Republic, the legendary Global Underground series and The Best of Trance (Sony).
Not only does the trance master have superb production skills, he is also a National Dutch DJ Mix and Scratch Champion. So be prepared to be dazzled with impeccable mixing skills and mind-blowing tunes as Mac Zimms shows us at Innovate on Saturday 20th May at the Fridge why he is such high demand on a global scale and why he has been aptly named the trance master!
Let’s start at the beginning, how long have you been producing and djing? And how did you get into it?
I started djing in 1983 at home, learning to scratch and won some dj scratch battles. The first tracks I produced in 1991 were mainly groovy house and hardcore, which at the time were very popular. I did more production than djing till 1996 when the first few Mac Zimms records came out on vinyl, after that it took off with the hit Perfect Phase — ‘Horney Horns’ in 1999. In 2005 I made the switch to tech trance and that what I’m focussing on at the moment.
When was the last time you played in London?
Somewhere in 1999. I can’t quite remember where it was.
Where do you normally play and do you hold any residencies?
I play a lot all over the world, mostly in Europe. No one’s asked me for a residency yet.
Are you signed to a record label?
Yes I’m signed to Spinnin’ Records in the Netherlands. They have put out tracks by Age Of Love, 4 Strings, Randy Katana, Eric Prydz, Rockefeller, Signum, Steve Morley, Sander Van Doorn, TDR, Darude, Blank & Jones and DT8 and are home to sub labels Jinx Records and Oxygen Recordings.
I remember a couple of your earlier tracks, Mac Zimms’ — ‘Feel What I’m Feeling’ (Tripoli Trax) and your remix of Cunaro & Dean ‘It’s About Time’ (Tidy Trax) back in 1999, the beginning of the hard house explosion. These tracks could be best described as the original trade hard house sound, that is, house that was hard, tough and funky. What influenced or inspired the evolution of your sound to the techno and trance that you are producing today?
I like the energy of the hard house from the early days and I like techno and trance, put them all together and you have tech trance.
Innovate is known for showcasing all sorts of dance music from electro house to trance and harder sounds. How would you describe your dj style/sound and what can we look forward to hear from you on the 20th May?
Groovy techno beats, up to harder Marco V style tech trance.
We are hoping you will be playing quite a few of you own productions, but are there any other producers you are into right now?
Randy Katana and Marco V are a few of the favourites.
What has been your best dj experience? I’d imagine from playing at some of the massive European events and a busy dj schedule taking you all around the world that there would be a few.
2004 Trance Energy was one of the highlights and I‘ve played in a bullfight arena once in Madrid for 15000 people.
What is the most exotic place you’ve ever played?
South Africa and Mexico.
What exciting gigs and tours do you have in your diary over the coming months?
Lots of UK gigs coming up and of course Dance Valley in Holland in July.
One of the biggest tunes from summer 2005 was your remix of Scott Mac’s ‘Damager’. It has one of the sexiest, hip shaking grooves on earth with a riff that hits the spot (like a Faithless record!). I remember hearing Tiesto drop it at the peak of his set at Gods Kitchen Global Gathering, Marco V dropping it at Cream, Amnesia, Ibiza and Nick Sentience dropping it at Dance Academy here in the UK. How does it feel having your work in such high demand by a range of djs crossing genres from trance, techno, hard dance and from djs of all calibre from the underground scene to the biggest in the business?
What can I say; I’m honoured and I think it’s awesome!
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You produce a range of dance music from tech house to trance, techno and back in the early days, hard house, under 17+ aliases including: The Babysitter, Fellow Man, The Groove Collector, Incisions, Izomatrick, Jelle Faber, Jens Holland, Reverend Jackson, Scarface, Speedloader, Sumo, T.O.S.T.I., Talespin, Ultra Spin, The Undertaker, Willem Faber, Wishbone. Are there any other genres that you produce/DJ or any aliases that I’ve missed out?
Starkillers, Mac & Mac and I’ve been djing electro under Mac Z.
I guess most people, like myself, are wondering why do you use so many aliases?
I’ve been producing since 1990 so over the years there a lot of styles that burn out or names that don’t work that well anymore, and with different names it’s handy to try out new stuff.
Do you have any new tunes/remixes that we should be looking out for?
Simon Patterson — ‘F16’ (Mac&Mac remix), Blank & Jones — ‘Revealed’ (Mac Zimms remix) and at the moment I’m working on a couple of new remixes and a new Mac Zimms original track.
What’s the biggest tune in your record box and why?
Substate — ‘Horizon’ (Mac Zimms remix), because it’s an absolute floor filler that works everywhere!
Digital MP3 internet download websites like www.trackitdown.net have taken off big time here in the UK. Do you use online mp3 stores? And what is your favourite dj media — CDs/vinyl or a little bit of both?
I’m using more CDs at the moment cause I make own edits and the latest tracks I get send are not out on vinyl yet.
What do you listen to when you’re not djing/producing?
Of course I listen to all sort of radio shows online and new tracks in DJ stores to keep up to date, but I’d rather watch a movie to relax.
Who or what inspires you in the dance music scene?
Playing in a fully loaded club can be inspiring or listening to a great DJ set.
How often to you get to go in the studio/How much time per week do you spend in the studio?
6 days a week from 10 till late, but with breaks of course!
Do you have a favourite piece of studio kit? Do you use Logic or Cubase (or other)?
A Mac G5 with Logic and a sh*t load of pluggins!
Is there anything you would like to shamelessly plug?
www.maczimms.com
Photos supplied by Mac Zimms (www.maczimms.com). Not to be reproduced without permission.
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INNOVATE
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On:
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Saturday 20th May 2006
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At:
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The Fridge [map]
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From:
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10.00pm - 6.00am
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Cost:
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£12 Advance tickets - MOTD
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Website:
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www.innovateuk.net
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Ticket Info:
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Web & Credit Card Bookings:
www.ticketweb.co.uk / 08700 600 100
For guest list email:
guestlist@innovateuk.net
Info Lines:
079 3298 2233 / 078 1506 9633
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Buy Online:
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Click here to buy tickets
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More:
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INNOVATE
plus guests: PUZZLE PROJECT vs. ZOOLOGY
Always on a mission to bring you the freshest new sounds, Innovate is proud to present the first London DJ set from Mac Zimms. For the past 5 years Mac has been slamming out tracks that Tiesto, Paul Van Dyk, Marco V, John Askew and Sander Van Doorn have been caning. Get down to Innovate to be among the first to witness the mater of trance perform his first London DJ set of 2006!
Just to raise the stakes and spice things up, Innovate resident, Nick Sentience will be jamming out live the biggest dance tracks of the year in a special one off LIVE vs. DJ set. Expect to have your minds blown as Sentience puts the Fridge dance floor through its paces and pushes it to the limit.
Also joining us are hot new talent MDA & Spherical who will be making their first main room appearance for us, and our guaranteed roof raisers Phil Reynolds and Nicki S are back to cause more mayhem!
Making their Innovate debut Puzzle Project and Zoology will be bringing their unique party vibe to the Ice Box. Needless to say this will be another unforgettable, essential Innovate experience. We look forward to seeing you there.
As if this wasn’t enough, we are calling on all up and coming DJ’s to join in our DJ competition to win the chance to play at this event alongside these spectacular performers.
Inspire – Create – Innovate
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Competitions:
1. Text your name and email to 07815069633 for your chance to win VIP entry to Innovate on Sat 20 May 06.
2. Have you been spotted? Check out www.innovateuk.net to see if you or your mates have won a night out on us!
3. DJ Competition: Do you have what it takes to rock the dance floor of one of London’s hottest club nights? Would you like to play alongside world-class superstar DJs? If the answer is yes then you need to enter our DJ Competition. Here at Innovate we are dedicated to promoting the hottest, freshest and most forward thinking DJ talent. We are always keeping our eyes and ears out for tomorrow’s superstars. To find out how to enter please visit: www.innovateuk.net
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Ticket Agents:
London - Never Enough - 020 7288 2275
Camden - Cyberdog - 020 7482 2842
Midlands – Vince - 078 3562 6226
Norfolk – Dave – 077 1525 5149
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TICKETS – WWW.TICKETWEB.CO.UK
GUEST LIST – WWW.INNOVATEUK.NET
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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.
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