DJ Mag Malaysia #002 DJ Mag Malaysia #002 | Page 79

I w a n t e d t o d o w i t h m y l i f e . To s h a r e
my music with others and I still love
doing so. I feel that people can spot a
fake easily and it is easier for people
to connect with those who really love
the music. I feel that people like to feel
that the person is in it for all the right
reasons as well.
4. How would you describe the MaRLo
sound and experience?
Well, when I started out, I liked to go
for hard trance events and more techtrance and uplifting trance. But my
main influence is more on the tougher
a n d t e c h - i e r s i d e . Yo u c o u l d s a y m y
sound is more towards the techinfluence beats with a lot of hands
in the air moments. During my sets,
I adjust towards the crowds in front
of me. For me, the crowd is as much
part of the journey of that night as
I am. So, if I see them responding to
certain style of music, I’ll join them on
that music path rather than me always
taking the lead and playing something
even if it’s not working for the crowd.
5. What is the producing process like
for you? Do you produce while on
tour or take time off and working the
studio?
I u s e d t o t r y t o d o i t o n t o u r, o n a l a p t o p
but looking on a small screen and the
l a p t o p’ s l i t t l e key b o a r d w h e t h e r i t i s o n
the plane or in the hotel room, it’s just
not a creative environment for me. It
has to come organically from the right
e n e r g y, s o I f e e l m u c h m o r e c r e a t i v e
when I’m sitting in my studio with
my speakers and my other equipment
around me. Nowadays, I don’t try to
force myself to produce but if I get a

ready idea, I will record the melody
down and wait until I’m in a studio. By
changing the way I work, I will have
more ideas when I am in the studio and
filled with passion to make music. Like
right now, being away from the studio
for two weeks, I am really excited to
be back in the studio and I think that’s
a way better energy to produce rather
than forcing the idea which may sound
n o t r i g h t a n d w i t h t h e w r o n g e n e r g y.
But with that said, I still do the mash
up and edits and other things like that
on the road.
6. We often hear people attempting to
keep their personal and professional
l i ve s s e p a ra t e , b u t w e’ r e c u r i o u s ,
how is it like working so closely
with your wife Jano? It looks like the
arrangement is working well for you.
Our personal and business lives are
completely intertwined, but it has
worked out pretty well. We understand
each other’s job so well and we actually
w o r k w e l l w i t h e a c h o t h e r. I t h a s n ’ t
been a problem or an obstacle but I can
imagine if you try to mix business and
personal without understanding each
other’s business, that could become
quite complicated.
The key to our
relationship is balance.
7 . W h a t i s i t l i ke b e i n g A u s t ra l i a’ s # 1
DJ? Do you think the title comes with
bigger expectations from fans?
Well, I am not the overall #1 trance
DJ, but to be honest, I am not worried
about positioning and things like that
whether it is in the mix or DJ Mag
award. It is a great honour to get voted
by the fans and it’s always nice to be
recognized for your hard work.

77