1. How and when did you first get into DJing and producing electronic music in general – and what motivated this commencement?
DM: I first got into Electronic music back in 1980 after my dad bought me the Queen soundtrack of the movie Flash Gordon on vinyl what caught my attention when I listened to it was the use of Analogue Synths on the album after that I loved hearing a lot of Electronic music that was coming out during the 1980’s so I would say I grew up with Electronic music. But I have the say the artist who motivated me to write & produce my own music was Jean Michel Jarre. It was his music & his live performances that made me turn round & say to my self at the age of 16, “Right I going to make my own music.”
I started producing music back in 1998 when I was studying Music Technology at College back then I didn’t have my own equipment for working on music I used some of the college’s equipment & worked on music at various friend’s studio set ups in their homes. I got into Djing back in 2002 & I have to say producing music gave me helping hand in learning how to mix also Djing also gave me a helping hand in producing music so it works both ways.
2. You’ve been working with music since the late1990s, and most of this decade. What keeps you motivated?
DM: Listening to other music that isn’t Electronic based I have had loads of ideas & motivation from film soundtracks. Hearing good well-produced music gives me a buzz, which also motivates me.
3. What production aliases do you currently work under, and how would you define their separate styles?
DM: I only use one alias, which is Darkmode as I’m happy working under that name. People know I’m an Electro & Techno artist & know that both styles are different from each other. My Electro productions are dark & futuristic & my Techno productions are deep & Detroit influenced.
4. How did you get involved with the two Sydney labels, Elektrax and Hypnotic Room, run by DJ Hi-Shock?
DM: I got asked by C-System to do a remix for him, as he is a fan of my work, which I was happy to do, as I really like his stuff he is a talented producer. I sent DJ Hi-Shock an e mail asking if he would be interested in me sending him some of my unreleased productions he got back in touch after listening to them & the rest is history.
5. What are your thoughts on the digital download phenomenon (positives and negatives)?
DM: My positives on the digital download phenomenon is that it has opened up a lot of doors for up & coming artists which also has helped raise artist’s profiles as the music gets out to more people all over the world.
My negatives on the digital download phenomenon is that there isn’t enough quality control on digital music that is getting released as anyone can set up their own digital label & get music released but some of the music they are releasing isn’t mastered or it is badly mastered.
6. How does digital download suit your own needs and directions?
DM: Digital downloads helps get my music out quicker & promoted more as I can send promos of my music to other artists & music reviewers quicker in zip files. It is also handy when it comes to collaborating with artists in other countries as we can send parts over to each other via e-mail.
7. Do you think digital download and digital files will eventually replace vinyl for DJs?
DM: Well I’m vinyl lover & I would hate to see it go but one day it may replace vinyl as there is a lot of labels out there that are digital only also there is a lot of digital Djing technology coming out were you can be more creative which a lot of people are turning to as it gives them the tools to be more creative as your a bit limited when your mixing 2 records on turntables.
8. Some people hate the idea of digital download, and say it’s not “real” music. What would you say to them?
DM: I would say to them that they are being narrow minded just because the music is on a digital file does not mean the music is not real. The music is real it’s just on a different format but at the end of the day it does not matter what format the music is on as long as it is good.
9. Which other artists/DJs do you currently enjoy working with, and what’s the attraction of these particular people?
DM: I have enjoyed working with Larix he is a Techno artist from Poland & a female Techno artist from the UK called Missperception.
Both of them approached me & asked if I wanted to do collaboration with them. Their styles are totally different from each other, which I liked as Larix’s productions are dark & powerful & Missperception’s productions are deep & Detroit influenced.
10. Where would you like to take your music from here?
DM: Well I hope to do some more collaborations in future, as I like working with artists who are on the same wavelength as me. Also one day I hope to work on film soundtracks in future as I get a lot of inspiration from watching films.
11. Who have been your favourite techno and electronic producers in your lifetime, and who rocks your world today?
DM: My favourite techno and electronic producers are Jean Michel Jarre, Yello, Kraftwerk, Art of Noise, Giorgio Moroder, Harold Faltermeyer, Tangerine Dream, Gary Numan, John Foxx, Cabaret Voltaire, Depeche Mode, New Order, Pet Shop Boys, Man Parish, STAKKER humanoid, 808 State, The Grid, LFO, The Orb, Future Sound Of London, Aphex Twin, Massive Attack, Andrew Weatherall, Sven Vath, Laurent Garnier, Dave Clarke, Technasia, Juan Atkins, Derrick May, Kevin Saunderson, Underground Resistance, Ryuichi Sakamoto, Yellow Magic Orchestra, Vangelis, Laurie Anderson, Brian Eno
Techno artists who still rock today are The Advent, Joey Beltram, Paul Mac, Dave Clarke, Ben Sims, DJ Bone, Laurent Garnier & Joris Voorn.
