Qlimax Special: Mark Sherry

Qlimax Special: Mark Sherry

01. Hi Mark, let's start with the first question! Could you introduce yourself to our readers and tell a bit about your life?
Hi guys, I am a Tech-trance DJ and producer from Scotland. I've been DJ'ing for 12 years and I produce under the names 'Outburst', 'Public Domain' (not the Dutch hardcore band) and also under my own name 'Mark Sherry'.

02. You are telling us, you are from Scotland? Can you tell us what the main difference is between Holland and Scotland? In culture and music?
The scene in Scotland is more Tech-trance orientated, but Hardstyle is also becoming very very popular now too. The crowds in Scotland are crazy ... We make a lot of noise haha. I have noticed that the crowds are a bit older in Holland which I think is great. The clubbers range in Holland is from around the age of 18 to 40, whereas in the UK I would say it's more like 16 to 30.

03. This year you will make your debut at Qlimax. What does this mean to you and what do you have in mind for the party people?
I have loved working for Q-dance since my 1st booking playing at the Zurich Street Parade in 2006 through to Defqon. 1 and In Qontrol, but I have heard that Qlimax is the BIG daddy of their indoor events ... So this makes me very excited about being a part of it all!!! The YouTube videos look awesome!!

04. What do you think are your best qualities as a DJ?
I am very interactive with the crowds that I play to and I also work very hard in the studio to make sure that I have always got lots of new productions to play in my sets. I also have a great relationship with a very big amount of other DJ's and producers that I have became good friends with over the years so I am always sent the best upfront music direct from these people. This includes getting sneaky remixes and bootlegs that never get released. All of these elements are very important to me and my performances.

05. You play with CD … How do you see the future of vinyl in this new digital era of DJ'ing? Will 'oldschool' 12-inches slowly being faded out?
Vinyl is well and truly dead man... I have over 10.000 records in my garage but I can't remember the last time I played any of them lol. I am 100% CD now and have been for the last 3 years. It's sad I suppose but you need to just move with the times.

06. As producer you do a lot for the Detox label. Can you tell us a little bit more about the work you do for this label?
I have been signed to Detox as an artist since 2004 but I also do a lot of A&R now as well. I have discovered a lot of new talent over the last few years and I’ve managed to get these artists signed up to Detox including Gleave, Joey V, Dave Schiemann, Dave Walker, Second Sine and now also Tigran.

Label manager Fred runs the label with in-house producer Marzz (Michiel). It's a really cool Tech-trance label that has a real musical edge and is always looking for the next big artist and the next cool sound, big riff, ultimate groove etc. David Forbes, Dr Willis and Julius Geluk are some of the other artists that you'll find on the label.

If you haven’t checked the label out yet then give us a try!!

07. Before Detox many people also do know you as a member of Public Domain. Back in the year 2000 you scored a massive hit with 'Operation Blade' that is still played by many DJ's all over the world. What does this mean to you?
It was a blast back in those days. I will never forget the buzz of hearing 'Operation Blade' being played on Radio 1 for the first time... I nearly choked on my dinner when Judge Jules played it haha. Making it into all of the worldwide national charts and appearing on shows like Top of the Pops was never intended but it happened and we toured the world off the back of it. The chart success thing will probably never happen again in my lifetime but I had such an amazing time I really don't care haha. The memories are priceless!!

08. What is your favourite track of the moment? And why?
Mmmm man there are so many... But if I have to say one then for me this year my biggest track has been the Joint Operations Centre remix of 'Timmy & Tommy - Full Tiltin'. It's been HUUUUUUGE for me !!

09. Sometimes you have moments in your career, which you will never forget. Can you name one of these moments?
I will never forget my first tour in Australia, or playing in Privelege in Ibiza for the very 1st time, or playing on a fortress in the Russian Sea with the band. Also playing the closing set on the mainstage at Trance Energy in Utrecht this year was definitely the biggest high profile gig that I’ve ever played at. I was playing alongside Tiësto, Ferry Corsten, Marco V and Sander van Doorn etc. There are so many moments in my career so it's hard to pick a favourite I’m afraid!!

10. What do you expect from the future. For yourself and in music?
I want to still be DJ'ing in 10 years time but I also want to have my own label, maybe my own event too?... And I also want to be writing movie soundtracks and maybe music for cool TV commercials as well as my Trance / Tech-trance / Techno etc. Let's face it, I have to think ahead for when I’m too old to jump around a stage like a maniac anymore!! Hahaha!

11. And if you had a time machine what year would you go back to and why?
I loved the start of the 90's when the whole Rave scene was born. It was all so fresh and there was no pretentiousness. It was all untapped and totally new. It wasn't commercial in any way, it was all about the underground. No one cared how they were dressed, no one cared what genre of music they were dancing to, there were no segregated rooms and different arena's to check out at the events … It was just all bout the music under one roof and dancing to whatever the DJ's were playing. The whole scene was just unreal here in Scotland!!!

12. Something different, but what do you like to do when you are not DJ'ing?
I love the gym because it de-stresses me, it keeps me fit for all the travelling I do to get to my gigs and it also means I don't need as much sleep haha.

13. How would you describe your perfect day and night in Scotland?
A typically perfect day for me in Scotland would be to have a very good session in the studio until 5pm, then to have a tough session in the gym until 7pm, then I would have a totally different kind of session with my gorgeous girlfriend at night time!!

14. At last a message to the Dutch party-people:
See you all at Qlimax...I can't f*cking wait!!!!!!!