Both on his own and as part of the Mist:i:Cal collective, with fellow beat makers ST Files and Calibre, Marcus Intalex has been continually pushing the envelope in terms of how far the musical aspect of drum and bass can be taken.

Fresh from mixing the latest Fabric LIVE CD, Marcus takes time out to answer some of the questions that have been playing on our minds.....

What changes have been most noticeable during your long tenure within the drum & bass scene?

1.Originally it started to get faster over 50 bpm faster from the early nineties to the mid nineties .

2. It doesn’t get faster anymore(thank Fuck)

3. It used to be very innovative and ground breaking

4. It no longer is that innovative and ground breaking apart from a few select artists

5. It used to be about beats and basslines

6. Its now more about horrendous riffs and ugly bass noises and seeing how many ideas u can actually fit into one tune.

7. It used to be brilliant.

8. Some of it still is brilliant but so much of it is fuckin shit.


Why do you feel that DnB hasn't been as quick to embrace digital mixing as other genres?

No idea to be honest. probably some thing to do with the fact the labels are run by a bunch of djs that don’t have the time or the need or the business acumen to inflict change myself included here. And part of the problem is that digital stores don’t offer the greatest deals to labels so it’s been a difficult choice to time the decision correctly. Though times are changing and can see most labels doing a lot by end of year for sure. Including us.


Do you feel that the growth of the internet as a form of communication and promotion has helped the genre to grow?

In terms of interest and appeal yes definitely. In terms of sales of vinyl then no it’s had a totally derogatory effect.


How do you react to the discussion of some of the larger DnB boards that the sound of the scene is stagnating somewhat?

I can easily both agree and disagree. For me the mainstream sound of dnb has definitely become something I cannot listen too it insults my intelligence. And on the other hand there are artists coming through the ranks that are making some of the best dnb I’ve heard for years. The problem with this scene and most scenes in general is that it’s too split up. Too many sub genres. It’s a sign of the times but people are defiantly becoming more and more picky as to what they want.


Without naming names, do you feel that some of the tracks being released by some of the bigger producers are exasperating the situation?

In one glorious 3 letter word capitalized for maximum effect YES.


Your own productions are well known. Outside of dance music, which artists influence you?

That’s a funny one. Especially outside of dance music. I really want to listen to music without taking note of the intricacies of production etc. And just want to listen for enjoyment relaxation and to take my mind away from my job.. Being a producer trying to make a living this sometimes is hard to do. Right now i'm listening to a lot of eighties stuff from Manchester. Notably the Smiths Joy Division. Oh and as ever Radiohead and Thom Yorke… having a bloody sing along is good for the soul.


Do you find that running a record label gives you a greater degree of artistic control than would normally be allowed?

Well yes it should, I do try and push our sound forward / wider, but you’ve always got to take into account market forces, especially today with such a rapidly decreasing market size.


You've got the latest volume of the prestigious Fabric Live mix series under your belt, how did that come about?


They kindly asked me to step in one Friday night when I was djing there. In a nano second I decided to say yes, what I didn’t realize is how revered the series is and bloody hell how many interviews I would have to do and how difficult it is to get a mix to flow correctly when u have such a small amount of tunes to work from. But all in all I’m more than happy to be involved in something like this.


What else do you have lined up?

A big bloody holiday at home with no planes no dnb music and hopefully plenty of sunshine. Music wise we got 4 twelve’s due out on Soul:R, three ten inch releases as part of a new series we are doing called archive, which feature a whole host of various artists. Another wicked lynx twelve and possibly a lynx LP soon too and not forgetting a joint mp4 store with some other very reputable labels.


What's the best & worst things about being Marcus Intalex right now?

Worst
Going deaf and not having enough time in the middle of summer to enjoy playing golf.

Best
When not touring so much to have all the time in the world midweek to get my golf handicap down and being the person that is the first to receive some bloody great music by a small number of very talented artists.


And finally, being from Manchester, City or United?

United. Very exciting times down at old Trafford right now. Suppose its quite exciting being a city fan right now also. I’m originally from Burnley. It was never exciting supporting them.

Interview by Wub
www.worldwidewub.net