Tamara Susa // Nightlife Photographer & Videographer

A new chapter in the Windy City – Interview with Markus Schulz

On Saturday, September 17th, React Presents brought Markus Schulz to The MID. Before his set, I got an opportunity to sit with the #8 DJ in the world (well, at least until the new DJ Mag results for 2012 come out) and ask him a few questions about his past, his future plans, and his experiences with Chicago. One thing is for sure – Markus loves the Windy City!

Markus Schulz throwing an amazing show at The MID

T: Welcome back to Chicago! You’ve played here many times, so tell us, what do you think about the Windy City?

M: I love Chicago. I’ve played here many times, and I also did a world tour show from here that was very successful on my radio show Global DJ Broadcast. The first week of every month I record a live set from somewhere in the world and broadcast it, and it’s heard on over 40 stations around the world. So, one of the most successful world tour shows was recorded right here in Chicago. I think I have a really good connection with the crowd and the fans here in Chicago, and tonight, I think we’re opening another chapter and I’m really excited about it.

T: Do you think Chicago can compete with European cities when it comes to electronic music scene?

M: Oh, no question! Most people here in Chicago are European, if not European influenced. The vibe here is very European, and it’s one of the cities that I absolutely adore playing at here in the USA.

T: Are you exited about playing The MID? We know you haven’t seen the club yet.

M: I have not seen The MID and I’m very excited. And any time I go to the club for the very first time, I’m actually a little bit of nervous. But I think that once I get out there and see the familiar faces, I think I’ll settle down. But I’m really anxious and excited about tonight, because, you know, any time you go into a new club that you’ve never played at before you don’t know what to expect, but, like I said, I’m really excited about it.

T: So tell me, do you remember your first DJ gig?

M: My first DJ gig? Of course! It’s funny because this year people have been asking me a lot about it. I started off as a breakdancer. So my very very first gig, me and my break dance crew decided to throw a party, and we were all going to take turns DJing. So we promoted the party really well, and then when it came to the night of the party we couldn’t believe how many people showed up. The place that we rented was completely full, and the rest of my crew they all got cold feet, and I was like “No worries, I’ll start it off.” So I jumped on the decks, and they just disappeared and I winded up DJing the entire night, and that was the first time I ever got behind the decks in front of people. And, you know, it was one of those things where I knew right then, I felt at home, I felt comfortable, and I was like – this is what I’m supposed to be doing.

“And, you know, it was one of those things where I knew right then, I felt at home, I felt comfortable, and I was like – this is what I’m supposed to be doing.”

T: Your documentary “Do You Dream” came out this year. Can you tell me something more about that? How has the response been?

M: Yea, this year we released a documentary, the “Do You Dream” documentary. I know that a lot of people were asking, because, they don’t know what it’s like on the road, and this was also one of the first opportunities that a lot of people got to see who I really am. Up until that point maybe I was a little bit of mystery to some people. For two months, or three months, almost the entire summer, a film crew followed me around on my tour dates through Australia, through Europe, Ibiza, and I think fans really got to see a little bit behind the scenes of what it’s like. And, like I said, it was really, really cool kinda for me to look back as well and kinda go “Wow, yea that’s what it was like, wow.” And it was the first documentary, it was very successful, and I really hope that in the future we will be able to do one again. And when we do it, hopefully I’ll be able to feature Chicago, because like I said, the fans here in Chicago are very dear to me, they are one of my favorites. I always enjoy trying to do something special for the fans here in Chicago. We kinda have a long history together, and I think they deserve it.

T: What city can we expect to be featured on your 2012 city series compilation? Can you squeeze Chicago in there?  

M: At the end of the year is when I start producing my city series compilation, every year I release one. And here we are, the summer is over, and the last two years have been such a huge buzz, that this year I’ve been getting e-mails, and there’s been topics on my forums about the next city series, so, there is a lot of anticipation for this year’s city series. And I’ll tell you what, I love Chicago, and I’ll definitely throw Chicago in the mix. But, luckily for me, I don’t have to make a decision for another couple of months. And when I do it, I think this year I’m going to have a press conference to announce it and do it right, because there is so many people really  anticipating what the next city series city is going to be for 2012.

“I do this because I love this. I love the music that I play.”

T: So when you look back at everything you’ve produced so far, is there a song that you can say is your favorite out of all of them?

M: Well, you know, it’s kinda cliche, but every one of those tracks is like a child of mine. You work so hard and so long on a track that you become one with it. And then when you look back at all of them, each one has different memories. Like, one track I was really mad because of something, and another track I was kind of depressed because of something. Some of the tracks that have city names, like Katowice, which is on my new Dakota album, I did in the city of Katowice, and those kind of tracks are special because I remember my visit to those cities. Each track has a special little story, and it’s really difficult to pick my favorite, but when I look back at some of the older ones, some of the older memories are the ones that you kind of reminisce over, so those are the ones that are always a little bit more special because of the memories involved. That being said, I know the tracks I’ve done recently, later on, those are going to be even more special to me because of these memories that I’m creating right now.

T: DJ Mag voting is coming to an end. What are your expectations for this year?

M: Wow,yea, DJ Mag voting, I get a lot of questions about it, and I always say – it’s the fans opportunity to voice their opinion, to voice how they feel. And I’m always so grateful for all the support that I get from the fans. One of the cool things is, you know, I  do a different style of trance, if you want to call it trance, but the Trance Family embraces me so much and they support me so much, so it’s always amazing to kind of see that support that they give, because.. I do this because I love this, you know. I love the music that I play, and for other people to understand it and love it as much as I do and show their support, is very special.

T: Thank you so much!  

Make sure to check out the video recap of the night!