MRK1, the production force behind Mancunian protagonists Virus Syndicate, gave Kmag blessing to pimp out his Egypt mix. Well, the big man of the north has given Kmag yet another mix. Kmag chucked MRK1 a few questions about the past, present and future and learned that 2010 will be an even more productive year for this true grafter and champion of UK music.

You had quite a busy 2009 with Contagious, what have you been up to recently and what have you got in store for 2010?
I released a load of tunes on Contagious last year, a lot more than any other previous years. I wanted to spend more time on building up the label and making it well established. I've had almost 30 releases on Contagious over the years, which I'm very happy with, but I want it to be bigger and do more.

What I want to focus on now is the digital side of things that I haven't really delved into so much with Contagious, however the cogs are in motion and I think digital will play a big part this year as well as the traditional vinyl releases that I shall continue to release.

I'm going to release Sound Of Contagious on April 6th, it's a CD album of the best releases from the past couple of years. It's going to have a few new tracks that haven't been previously released as well. I also have a single called Going Down / Bleep Plan on Studio Rockers in April.

Why did you decide to start Contagious and what's been the highlight so far?
I started Contagious in 2002 when I first started releasing tunes. It was in the day and age of press and distribution deals, when garage was peaking and distributors where willing to back new labels. I wanted to have my own label so I could put out music that I liked and was playing at the time in the clubs.

I was making so many tunes back then, I needed an outlet that I could get them out to the rest of the world, so when I was offered the chance to have my own label, I jumped at it. Now it's a worldwide label that sells across the world, and that for me is the main highlight of it all.

You've previously made a solo album before on Planet Mu and the Virus Syndicate have produced two albums, how is life away from the crew and what plans do you and the gang have for 2010?
We see each other all the time. I usually make tunes in the studio throughout the day and then they'll come in the evening. When they come in, I usually play them what I have got and the guys will say if they want to vocal it or not. If they're in it, I'll leave it with them and they'll start recording the vocals to it.

I've had two solo albums on Planet Mu now, and I have produced two Virus Syndicate albums. Last year we made The Breakout Trilogy which is basically a set of Virus Syndicate EPs that have been released digitally. These EPs have been a build up to the Breakout album. The Breakout Trilogy has done really well, so I'm expecting the same from the album.

I'll be releasing Breakout on Contagious, and it will be a 12-14 track album, some of which are new tracks, that have not been previously released. I'm really excited about the release, as I think that it is some of the best music we have made. It's still very dubstep based and bass heavy!

What are your thoughts on the way dubstep, grime and its offshoots have gone, and who do you rate as a producer?
I think that it's amazing how well dubstep is doing. I think a lot of people think that dubstep is a new music, but it's been around for quite a while. It's only over the past few years that it has got this big. I still think there's a lot more to come from dubstep and it will be around for a long time.

There are so many producers now making dubstep and the quality is at an all time high! I love established producers like Skream, Benga, Chase & Status but lots of new blood who are making a name for themselves, such as Chimpo, DZ and Bar9.

Finally, what tour plans do you have coming up and what will you be trying your hand at next?
I'm going to be all over this year, pretty much like last year! I especially like going to the States where I see dubstep just getting bigger and bigger! With the new Virus Syndicate album and my Contagious album coming out, Ill be hoping to be appear at all the major festivals.

I think I'll be trying my hand at a bit more vocal dubstep / hip hop, working with a few American hip hop artists who I know are into the sound at the moment. Finally, I'm also going to work with more vocalists. I think that it's an avenue that hasn't been completely explored and I think that there is a lot that can be done in that department.

 

Download MRK1's mix

 

 

• MRK1
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• Virus Syndicate
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• Contagious Records

Related Links:

• MRK1 Egypt Mix Download
• Issue 81
• Looking Back Looking Forward: Optical
• Virus Release Schedule
• Audio - Genesis Device Preview

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