interview

29/11/03

brought to you by joe90

 

marc mac holding it down

one half of 4 hero, marc has recently been concentrating on his own twisted funk and omniverse labels, releasing a handful of highly sought after 7"s, and his nature's plan material for far out recordings, where his love of brazillian and house music meet. he has a beautiful new nature's plan single 'somewhere beyond', featuring azymuth and carina andersson out soon, and his 4 hero remix of brazilian songstress patricia marx is just released. needless to say he's a bit of a don.

1. dego and yourself seem to be increasingly focused on your own projects - is 4hero no more or simply on hold while you pursue other avenues?

Yes we have been focusing on our separate projects but 4hero is our key project and we are currently pre planning our next 4hero LP. We hope to have it finished by Summer 2004.

2. how do you see your nature's plan material differing to your other stuff - both musically and personally?

Well Nature's Plan defiantly leans towards my love of house music. I was a big fan of the early Nervous and Strictly Rhythm sound, this comes through more on Nature's Plan but most of all is a newer found love for Brazilian and Afro rhythms that influences this project. On a personal level I just love starting new projects and taking them down a different road.

3. would you agree that it's perhaps some of the most accessible material that you've recorded - in that it's very 'up' and happy?

No. It is very happy and I am real cool with that but years ago I use to make hardcore jungle as 'Manix' now that was some real happy sh*t. All good fun (and good for stress release). I wouldn't use the word accessible for this project but I would say it is more DJ friendly.

4. does it allow you to express a side of yourself that other projects don't?

Yeah but I guess most people that know my sound will always easily make the connections.

5. both yourself (and dego) seem to employ a policy of ducking back 'underground' after the inevitable fanfare that surrounds a 4hero album - is the glare of publicity something that gets in the way of your music making?

I just don't think the heavy selling thing suits our music. I think 4hero has a REAL underground sound that works better when someone you trust tells you to get a copy of the album. Also I think the line between a 'serious' artist and the POPSTAR has become miles apart and glossy mag shots fit in best with the POPSTAR's side of the line.

6. could you tell us a bit about the omniverse releases?

Yeah Omniverse is a label I started some months back and I wanted to explore the space where hip hop meets Jazz. At the moment I have 2 acts on the label 'VISIONEERS' and '2DAY & 2MORO'. I wanted to make the label for collectors so I pressed limited edition 7" records, problem is I haven't even got a copy of the 2nd release nowƒ.. oh well.

7. the omniverse releases have been very low key but rapturously received - are there any ambitions for a 'larger' incarnation?

Yeah a Visioneers LP and possible live showsƒ still considering options at the moment. I enjoy the music more when I have no plans set for it. 8. what plans (if any) are afoot for a nature's plan album - are there more collaborations a la azymuth, carinna andersson in store? Yes definitely an LP is on the cards and more collaborations. I hope to work with Joyce and Marcos Valle next year and def more with Azymuth, Carina and Ed Motta.

9. who/what would you recommend musically at the moment?

My music tastes are always across the board so here goes: DKD (Kaidi Tatham, Daz and Dego) - Kaidi is a star. Kindred - Great soul Album TY - wicked new LP (don't sleep on this) Little Brothers (best hip hop since SV ) Twisted funk - Label with new music from Hopper, Somatik, Almost Human, Nu Era, and French outfit 'Shade of Soul' JAYLIB - MadLib And Jay Dee LP Sleepwalker - nice Jazz LP from Japan. The Wonder of Stevie - LP on Harmless Records - Stevie IS the Man. Calibar & Zero Tolerance - Wicked D&B from Dublin producers. Neptunes - Hey got to admit these guys make my head nod.

10. what other things are you working on at the moment?

Working on new Visioneers tracks for LP (Omniverse) Got new releases on new label 'TWISTED FUNK" 4hero Remix LP (Just finished compiling) New 4hero mixes for Allen Hoist, Horace Silver (Blue note project), Shade of Soul, Marcos Valle. New 4hero Productions for Brazilian singer/songwriter Patricia Marx. Production for Nu soul singer Terry D. (UK singer with lots to give) Writing new 4hero LP music.

11.the future's bright, the future's....?

Here 2DAY. Gone 2MORO.

 

u can check out marc in the mix at nuwaveradio