Marco Bailey: a true Dance Music legend returns to Brazil

At D-Edge, you'll share the floor with DJ Murphy and Waltervelt, an old school DJ and a relatively new DJ, respectively. We would like to know how you relate to this new generation of artists and if there are any Brazilians who have caught your attention in particular.

DJ Murphy is a DJ’s DJ, just like Marky in drum n bass. Great technique and skilled selectors. I also have a tremendous respect for lots of other Brazilian artists with different music styles like Gui Boratto & many more.

I am sure there are lots of great young artists too, but for me it does not matter if you are young or older. Let’s leave this term "old school" out of the conversation! For example, if an older DJ plays non-stop new fresh music why is he then old school? Sometimes the younger artists, even very young DJ's are playing non-stop classics, like for example in Berlin :)

I think old school is a term for a DJ who only plays “old” music. Age, in this context, is irrelevant. I spoke a couple months ago to a female DJ in Berlin who is honestly super young and very talented, yet only plays old music… minimum 20 years ago, maybe she is old school then? :)

We saw that at the end of September you released an album of remixes of the track “Ipanema”, an original track from 2001 that received your rework and several new versions by amazing artists. What's the story behind this original track? And how was the selection of remixers for this release?

Yes, ‘Ipanema’ was a real floor-filler when it was first released in 2001. I remember people were singing it in Spain at the gigs I played… great memories. Many artists played the track and it stayed for all those years on many DJ playlists.

I remember the track was produced when I returned from a very wild gig in Rio de Janeiro at club Bunker :) Even though the track has a Cuban vocal, I still wanted to name the track Ipanema as the week before was so memorable at that club in Rio de Janeiro.

This year I decided to release a bunch of great reworks done by really great producers all together on one release. Also, soon available in full color vinyl… stay tuned!

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Another release that caught our attention in your catalog this year was “Liquid Room”, released by Laurent Garnier’s COD3 QR label, which even came out on vinyl. What would you highlight from this release in particular?

Yes 100%. The releases on Laurent’s label are super special to me and have a unique place in my heart. Not only because I have endless respect for Laurent in general, but specifically his way of thinking and bringing a unique musical journey time after time on every dance floor in the world. COD3 QR is so unique like NO OTHER LABEL in the WHOLE WORLD!

Every track is initially released without artist names. It’s the most honest way of gaining reactions and opinions of other artists, reviewers etc. Perhaps certain people otherwise would not even listen to your track! It is also a label with a nice open spirit of music, which can be Techno, House, Deep, Electronica, Electro, Drum N bass, anything that catches the attention of Laurent & Stephane.

To me, it’s just an EXCELLENT Label, and I am more than honored to have 2 releases on the imprint. One time with a breakbeat tune, “Keep on Holding”, which I produced during Covid and another track called “Liquid Room” which I produced when clubs went open again! :-)

And how are things with Materia? Are both the label, the events and the radio show happening normally? Do you still dedicate time to the curation part of each of them? What are the biggest challenges of keeping a label like this in business?

With Materia we keep on going full force of course, with artists that feel the same vibe and energy for Techno such as The Advent, Steve Rachmad, Sigvard, Tom Hades, Michel Lauriola from Buenos Aires, Raul Young from Hungary, Dimi Angelis from Netherlands and so many other great artists.

Our philosophy is to create and collaborate as a family on the label through the Materia events & parties and of course the releases. No trends, just TECHNO that we all love and are timeless.

And talking about this final stretch of the year, besides the album, what other news do you hope to share with your fans? And what do you plan for 2024?

First there are 2 singles coming up and one beautiful 4 track blueberry color vinyl - one of the 4 tracks is a vinyl exclusive. Then after this, 3 releases in October and beginning of November, and finally the full album will be released at the very end of November.

Besides my solo releases, I also have a collab with my mate Tom Hades on our co-owned label Fundaments LTD. First on vinyl and then digital also which covers 2023.

In 2024 I will come back with a remix package of some of the album tracks, new releases on my mother label MB Elektronics and new tracks on my other open spirit label Elektronik Zoo sounds.

Also on Saturday 4th of May I will organize a Boutique Festival in my old small town in Belgium called Elektronik Zoo. The location is in the middle of a stunning garden next to a beautiful forest next to my place in Belgium. So as you see I am not sitting too much on the sofa. With 3 Labels + events… I like to stay busy :)

Finally, we would like you to leave a message of encouragement for artists who are still looking for their own space in the industry. What advice could an artist with almost 40 years of career share? Thanks!

There are “Artists” and there are “Acts”. A clown in a circus is an act and can be super attractive to many people just because of jokes they might share with the audience. There are great actors, dancers, and there are people who can really create a massive community and following by just acting on social media.

Plenty of influencers, for example, got really successful and the side-effect of that are people in the music scene where the music is not really the source of their popularity. On the other hand you have artists who create music and try to tell stories in their sets.

They create music and art that stand out and connect with people through their music selection. The dedication to music comes from the heart and soul. You want to be yourself when you look into the mirror every morning and tell yourself ‘I am proud of what I stand for’.

Everyone has to make their own path so choose a way of life that gives YOU satisfaction and happiness.

Follow Marco Bailey on Instagram, Soundcloud & Spotify

Photos: Divulgação

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