The dancefloor is an ever-changing world that twists and turns night by night. With so many different rhythms taking over parts of the world, it’s becoming increasingly challenging for DJs to put things together fluidly in sets. Enter producer and DJ Martyn. Born in the Netherlands and based in Washington, D.C., he spins a clever of mix of everything from classic New York house and Detroit techno into “post-dubstep” and funky tunes. Melding his own “Martyn music” with the current sounds of mutated dubstep, extraterrestrial funky house and tribal drums, Martyn makes sure his tunes are just as immersive as his DJ sets. When he was approached to do Fabric 50, he took the idea of shifting the mix into his own mind and putting out the sounds he loves. Needless to say, Martyn is a fantastic DJ and producer, and makes sure whoever is listening will hear a history of music–not just the now. He took some time to speak with URB about his current musical endeavors, his love for classic tunes and how he’s never been to Detroit–until DEMF 2010, of course.
URB: When you were approached by Fabric to contribute your mix for Fabric 50, what was your thought process going into putting the product together?
MARTYN: For me it was just the idea of making it simple. I wanted to give listeners an experience of what I do in a live club setting, in a dark room with a hundred people. It’s a journey between the tunes I love from the past that inspire, to the music that is making people dance in new ways now. In the end, I wanted something done organically, so I put this mix together.
URB: The mix definitely goes beyond the audible spectrum of past to present; was that intentional?
MARTYN: Yes, because the music that’s coming out now is drawn from the past. Levon Vincent is drawing from classic New York and Detroit references, and even more so with a Detroit native like DJ Bone. They are favorites and they run deep with the history of electronic music. Even Joy Orbison has some Detroit vibes if you listen closely.
URB: Your love for deep Detroit sounds is evident in your own music. But surprisingly, you haven’t been there before, how come?
MARTYN: [Laughs] Truth be told, I don’t know. It’s a city that I’ve always wanted to play, they just never booked me there, I guess. I really hope to play there soon, maybe for DEMF 2010? [It was announced recently that Martyn would play this festival]
URB: What’s your opinion of current producers in this “post-dubstep” movement?
MARTYN: It’s weird being asked this because people were speaking highly of me not too long ago as well. But it was a long road, you know? These kids nowadays can make great music quickly, but the key for them is to build-up their catalog and not let the hype get to them. It’s all about being patient and just making the music you want to make.
URB: Your own label, 3024, is putting out more music this year, mostly remixes from your debut album; how’d that come about?
MARTYN: I had planned to get it done earlier, but I got busy, so it hadn’t started up until recently. We have remixes from producers all over the place; Roska, Ben Klock, Redshape, Zomby and Illum Sphere will be on these releases.
URB: Your career began in the Netherlands, your homeland. How’d you begin and how is the electronic scene there?
MARTYN: For me, I got into it with techno, house and started putting out drum ‘n bass records as well. Eventually, when I started to hear more dubstep from people like Kode9 and Burial, I began experimenting in the 130-140BPM range and found a comfort zone there. The scene in the Netherlands still has techno and some dubstep, and I’m not the lone producer from there. There’s also 2562/A Made Up Sound, who makes music that’s dark, vibey and tech-based, but also rooted in the new sounds that began in the U.K.
URB: What is the forecast like for Martyn in 2010?
MARTYN: Just hopefully more music. I’m hopefully finishing my second album very soon. I’ve been in the studio, just working on it. The product should be different than the last record but the listeners who liked the previous one will have reason to smile about this upcoming one. Also, I’ll be touring around, as usual. More music to play, more music to make, and more music to make people dance to. That’s hopefully going to be my entire year.
Special thanks to Fabric and Martyn. For more info on Martyn, check him here.
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