Throughout the past Decade Mark's music, by the Problem Kids, Kidstuff, DYOT and Dab Hands or his own projects has received support from Sasha, Lee Burridge, CJ Mackintosh, Norman Jay, Pete Tong, Seb Fontaine, Roger Sanchez, Sandy Rivera, Danny Tenaglia and X Press 2 to name but a few!
Mark continues his rise to the top and with a DJing and production diary that stretches well into next year, wherever you are you'll find it hard to escape the sound of Mark Wilkinson!
Mark Wilkinson has been DJing in London and internationally for a while now, playing in every cool successful London Venue along the way & visiting over 65 countries in the process. He has also a year on year ever more successful recording career which began with Problem Kids (along with Xpress2's Rocky) on Junior Boys Own and Paper Recordings in the mid 90's, then onto Kidstuff (with Paul Jackson) on Defected and Azuli in the late 90's, and now finally with Dab Hands, releasing the Top 10 hit 'Satellite of Love' by Lou Reed (Dab Hands Retouch) in 2004 on Sony/ BMG, 'Supergood' (an underground smash in 2005 on Virgin/ Ten Records) and 'DYOT' (Pete Tong Essential new tune) released on Gusto/ Kidology Records in 2006. Mark will also be releasing his new single 'Mark Wilkinson- Playground Stuff' on Phonetic Recordings in early 2007’ (first ever release under his own name!) and along with Dab Hands & Mark Wilkinson follow ups and a busy Remix and DJ schedule 2007 is looking like a great year.
We give you
Mark Wilkinson
Q - Your Dab Hands retouch of “Sattelite of Love” with the Infamous Lou Reed made your name international status and people instantly associate you with the track, do you think this is a good thing or not?
A- I think it’s great, I had a great apprenticeship making cool Underground tunes back in the day on Junior Boys Own and Paper Recordings, Satellite of Love was the first time I really got my personality out in a tune, and it did OK didn’t it J
Q-What was the Legend Lou Reed like to work with, any good, bad or funny things went on?
A- I want to say we went out on the lash together, ended up in a lap dancing club and it was all really mad, the truth is we didn’t meet him, although we did get backstage at his concert @ Hammermisth Odeon, which was nice!
Q- So in the early 90’s yourself and Rocky from Xpress2 kicked helped the House scene kick off back then with Problem Kids, what got you guys together?
A- We are good friends & worked together in Flying Records in Kensington for many years as well as running around various Discos in and around London, one day we got really on it and one of us suggested making some tracks together, the rest, as they say, is History
Q- So really you’ve had two amazing partnerships one with Rocky ( Problem Kids ) and Kidstuff with Paul Jackson, what would you say the best partnership was?
A- Oooh, tricky! They were both amazing partnerships in their own way, and part of my development, however I’d say that now is my time, I work with many talented people, but on most projects I’m the only Producer.
Q- Are there any other partnerships we should look out for?
A- Ha ha, see above! Names to look out for that work with me, Richard Searle (Engineer and Production partner), Eddie Kid (Keyboard Player and DJ/ Producer), Danny Dove (DJ/ Producer), Leo Elstob (DJ/ Producer) plus Dave Mitchelll (Promoter Partner) and everyone else in the Kidology Office, Joel (Kidology Label manager), Nicola (Poker PR). Ella, Tara, & Nick
We’re working it in 07!
Q- What track is always in your bag and always in your sets, and why?
A- I like to play a mixture of tunes, old and new, some the crowd recognize, some they don’t, at the moment I’ve been having to play my mix on Phunk Warriors- Don’t cha (Kidology Records) twice every set since I did it pre Xmas, the crowd demand it!!!I heard Jon Ulysses played it at Space opening and it went off mad too, so we’re hoping for another big track this Summer as well as Dab Hands- Supergood 07 which is doing great things too
Q- Your playing Funksta Boudoir at Soho in Bristol soon, are you looking forward it?
A- Yes indeed, not been in Bristol for a while, I always enjoy the energy from the crowd over on the West Side J
Q- Whats your most favourite UK club and why?
A- I love any club that has an amazing crowd of people wanting to get down to great Music and we have hundreds of them in the UK, we’re very fortunate!
Q- You run one of the hottest House labels at the moment Kidology, how is it goin with them and have you anything hot coming out from this stable?
A- That’s very kind, thank u. Its going great. Watch out for Dab Hands- Supergood 07, Hooked- Love with you, Phunk Warriors- Dont cha, Albert Cabrera- Dig the Vibes, and a couple of new tracks under my own name in the coming months, the first place to get Kidology Tracks is @ www.djdownload.com
Q- Did you go to any music conferences this year and if so what tunes mostly stood out for you?
A- I went to Miami, I’ve been for 6 years in a row, but this year nothing really stood out musically and I don’t feel it was that worthwhile (for the first time!)
I think ADE (Amsterdam), PopKomm (Berlin) & MIDEM (Cannes) are much better for networking & business, so you’ll be seeing me back at those in the coming months
Q- With all of the CD technology available and the growing trend of discs over records, where do you see the future of vinyl headed, and what medium do you prefer?
A- We still do some Kidology Vinyl, and there are still vinyl enthusiasts, but the long term future is downloads, and great user friendly sites like www.djdownload.com make it easy.
Q- Do you have an opinion on MP3 trading? Do you think music sharing helps or hinders artists?
A- I don’t share tracks with others as I want some exclusives! I do Promo Kidology tunes and in turn get sent a lot of Promos from other labels, but that was always the same with Vinyl.
Q- What’s next for Mark Wilkinson, is there anything major we can expect from you soon?
A- We’re working Kidology at the moment, we have a monthly party @ The Cross on the 1st Friday www.kidologydsi.com which has an amazing good looking crowd and the best music & line ups you’ll find anywhere!
Kidology the label is going from strength to strength attracting better and better artists, and on a personal note I will continue to strive to Produce more & more Popular tunes as my career develops.
Q- Were do you think has got the best vibe in the world right now?
A- Always the UK, it always comes back to us!
Q- Punter wants to buy you a beverage after a killer set; what’s your drink of choice?
A- I’m having a break from drinking these days, I prefer it, I get more done.
Although squeeze my arm and I’ll have a little glass of Champagne with you J
Q- Who Inspires you?
A- Anthony Robbins
Q- How Much Time Do You Spend In the Studio these days?
A- 2/3/4/5 days a week, depending on other commitments
Q- What’s Been The Proudest Moment of Your Career?
A- I loved playing the Main Room @ MOS for the first time, and Main Room @ Pacha Ibiza
Q- DJ, Producer, Label Owner... you have many roles, how do you balance all of them? Which one brings you the most satisfaction and fulfillment?
A- To be honest they all intertwine and make a lifestyle, and I love my life
Q- Ibiza season's just started. Have you any plans for the white isle this year?
A- I’ll be out there a few times I expect, hanging with some friends, maybe a few low key gigs as we’re concentrating on working the Kidology brand in London and the UK this year, we’ll be looking at Kidology Ibiza possibilities in 2008
A- So Mark Wilkinson has gotta chill sometimes, if so whats your favourite film?
A- I generally like Comedies or Documentaries, although I did watch Apocalypse Now for the first time last week, that’s some HEAVY SHIT!! Apparently there is a ‘Making of’ film of Apocalypse so I’m looking forward to seeing that, most of the actors seem like they went a tiny bit mad during the film!
Q- What’s the worst or most frightening experience you have had Djing?
A- Nothing really to do with Djing, but a couple of very scary moments on planes getting to and from gigs, lets leave that one there!
Q- Are there any producers that are currently “blowing your mind”?
A- So many, so much great music! Dave Spoon springs to mind
Q- If you had only one opportunity to play another international gig, where would it be and why?
A- Argentina, a lot of my mates go there, heard great reports & it seems like a great place that I’ve not been too, although we are going there on Holiday in January so I’ll check it out then
Q- If you weren’t a DJ what would you be?
A- I really don’t know the answer to that
Q- What can the Funksta Boudoir crowd expect from your set?
A- Well, I’m on 2-4am so I expect to play Tough but Funky, a few vocals over some rocking beats & putting a smile on everyone’s face
Q- What Words Of Wisdom Could You Share With Mankind?
A- The purpose of life is a life of purpose
Q- And finally Mark what would you say to any other inspiring House Dj’s or Producers out there.
A- Don’t give up, keep doing what you’re doing, your time is coming
QUICKSHOTS
Vinyl, CD or MP3? CD
Blonde or Brunette? Blonde
Morales or Sanchez? Sanchez
Most under-rated DJ/Producer you know? Raymundo Rodriguez
Ibiza or New York? Ibiza
Hanover Grand or Club UK? Neither
Football or Rugby? FOOTBALL
Straight to bed or Afterparty? There’s a time & a place
Gerrard or Lampard? LAMPARD!!
Sunbathing or Snowball fighting? Sunbathing
Blue or Red? BLUE IS THE COLOUR
Ministry Or Cross? Leave off!! J
Funky or Deep? Mix it up!
DONT FORGET TO SEE MARK HOUSING IT RIGHT UP AT FUNKSTA BOUDOIR'S SEARCH FOR A FUTURE HERO ON THE LAST SATURDAY OF THIS MONTH.
FUNKSTA BOUDOIR FUTURE HERO SEARCH
ONE NIGHT-EIGHT FINALISTS-ELEVEN DJS AND TWO WINNERS
SATURDAY 30TH JUNE 2007
SOHO
12 ST STEPHENS STREET, BRISTOL, BS1
10PM - 4AM
DJS
MARK WILKINSON
KID ROYALE
TOMMY HARDEN
EIGHT FINALISTS
DOOR: £6 BEFORE 11PM £8 AFTER NUS £4 BEFORE 11PM
MUSIC POLICY: HOUSE HOUSE HOUSE
TICKETS IN ADVANCE FROM: BRISTOL TICKET SHOP - THE GALLERIES- T- 0870 44 44 400
INFO. 07837 843 118
GUESTLIST: funkstaboudoir@hotmail.co.uk
http://www.kidologydsi.com
http://www.myspace.com/kidologyrecords
http://www.myspace.com/djmarkwilkinson
www.sohobristol.com
www.corona.com