MFR Interview

DJ MFR resides in San Francisco, California. His musical history began at an early age of 18 when he began dj`ing in Rome. MFR s musical influences range from reggae, hip-hop and soul, to classic rock and jazz. In 1990, he connected strongly with the soothing sounds of soulful house music. Soon after, he began dj ing to express and share his selection of deep, soothing, soulful house music with others. Moving to San Francisco in 1995, he immediately started playing in local clubs. In the following years, he began writing and experimenting with electronic music.

First of all, I`d like to kick off saying I’m a big fan of MFR`s work and that I was very pleased to finally meet him at the WMC 03 after many conversations over the phone and also that I had a great time hanging with all the San Francisco posse at the parties this past March.

DHN: Now, as this is my fist DHN interview, go easy on me ok?

Marco: No problem, I’m pleased for the compliments and happy to be the first guest to your DHN interviews.

DHN: When and how did you become DJ MFR?

Marco: Well, I think I’ve always been Marco from Rome.

DHN: Hahahaha you’re right, but I’m sure many people didn’t know you are originally from Rome, is this why you go under the moniker DJ MFR?

Marco: Well, this is a long story but this is one of the reasons of course, trying to represent....it s hard I know....

DHN: How was the House music scene back in Italy before moving to the United States?

Marco: The scene was small and many people related the word house with techno, all the clubs wanted DJs to play commercial crap ... I had to leave!!!! Thanks to all the new breed of promoters, DJs and radio stations that for so many years have believed in the this type of music, I am pleased to say that things are finally changing. In fact I spent many days in Rome during the summer travelling and doing a few gigs and can guarantee I had a blast! Now people want to go dance House music!

DHN: I read that you moved to San Francisco on 1995. What made you take that decision?

Marco: I moved to SF because of my previous job, it’s not easy to make a living just DJing. Back then I was DJing on one side and just getting started with production, but then I started hanging out with the right people who showed me around and I got hooked!

DHN: How do you feel living in the West Coast? Does the fact of living there have changed your sound and your life as DJ and Producer?

Marco: I love the West Coast and I love San Francisco, it’s just a little bit too cold in the summer. As a DJ my sound has changed a lot since I moved to SF. I consider myself lucky to have had the opportunity to live in a city surrounded by so many talented people who have given me the opportunity to grow as DJ and producer. I know that I want to be considered a house DJ at the moment but I not sure I want to be considered only a house producer, not because I don t love house but because I like to experiment with other types of music as well. When I go into the studio I never know what I want to do. I don t really like to consider this like a job because I had a job and hated it! This is something I love and I hope to be blessed enough to continue doing this for a long time.

DHN: We certainly hope so. Nowadays you run Transport Recordings with alongside partner Miguel Migs; when did you guys meet and how was the label born?

Marco: Miguel and I met in ’96 I believe, but we became friends a year later ... I might be lying ... you should have him confirm this. We founded the label in 1998 alongside with Bruno Ybarra, Naked Music’s label director. The label came as an outlet to release deep, timely, west coast based underground house mainly to promote our music ’cause we had become tired of shopping things around. Transport is dedicated to the true deep house heads all over the world!

DHN: Miguel has been operating successfully in the San Francisco scene for quite some time now, leaving his deep soulful mark on lots of dancefloors across the globe with many productions on his behalf also. Do you feel he represents an important part of your sound and productions these days and over the past few years?

Marco: Yes for sure ... I’ve learned a lot from Miguel ... he is the real deal!!! He’s not only a great musician but a great engineer too. He has a special ear for music, in fact his contribution to choosing the music for the label is crucial!!. His sound and productions have influenced me just as much as many other DJs and producers around the world, I could mention them but the list would have to be very, very long!

DHN: Is there a Transport sound established? What does Transport mean to you and which would you say is your sound these days? Where do you take your inspiration from?

Marco: Yes, we are a house label and our productions could be deep, dubby, soulful, funky or even a bit techy sometimes. I consider myself a house DJ even if this term has taken many branches these days. I also like some productions that for many are considered to be harder. I like to be ready for every circumstance, that s why I don t carry small record bags, you never know what the crowd is going to like. About the inspiration ... this is a tricky question my friend ... I’m not quite sure but one thing is certain - I’m lucky to be able to work and hang out with very talented people which makes my work very easy!. We are all a very big family in San Francisco, you have the word of an Italian!

DHN: You also teamed up with producer Vincent Kwok with a new style to production under the moniker ‘New Mondo’ releasing 3 EPs for a new label out in San Francisco called 815 Recordings, can you tell us a bit about this project?

Marco: Vincent and I are very good friends. We have worked at many projects together and it just happened that at that time we felt on starting something new to our production vein.

DHN: The world out there regards San Francisco as a Mecca for Deep and Soulful House Music bringing class talents such as Miguel Migs, Julius Papp, Jay-J, Chris Lum, Andy Caldwell and Kaskade to dancefloors. Do you feel San Francisco has a bit of ‘Midas touch’, and what makes the city so great in terms of outstanding music culture?

Marco: The city has definitely a special vibe but as to why San Francisco producers are finally being recognized worldwide, I’m not so sure. As far as I can remember they’ve always done this. Certainly an important part has to be given to the record labels and the A&R people that believed in this type of music making it more accessible to the people out there.

DHN: Where do you feel most happy and comfortable, DJing at a club or producing music at the studio?

Marco: I really enjoy both, when I’m doing too much of one I need to make a balance with the other. I spent most of my summer in Europe and now I can t wait to go back to the studio!

DHN: Your tracks have a great instrumental musical feeling, do you come from a musical background? Which would you say is a common ingredient through out your productions?

Marco: No, I don t come from a musical background, I started to learn music after I started to produce, I don t consider myself a musician even if I can read music to a certain level. I like soul music, I try to bring that feeling into all of my productions.

DHN: Which type of gear and software are you using these days?

Marco: I mainly use Cubase VST as a sequencer even if I pretty much work with all kinds of sequencing software. I use a Motif 64, Nord Lead, Roland XP30, Novation Bassstation and I’m forgetting something at the moment ... I’m also lucky enough to work at San Francisco based SY-KLOPPS studios, having the possibility to use all kinds of gear, they really have everything!

DHN: What’s next for MFR on the following months, in terms of production?

Marco: Well I have two projects coming out in the next months with Bluem, one EP with Audio Expression, one with Equal Records, one with Moulton Studios and one with 815 Recordings. There is also a remix on Defected for Vincent & D’layna’s new project and Transport’s first mixed CD compilation “West Coast Excursion” mixed by MFR of course. This last project … it’s keeping me really busy not only because it s a new adventure for Transport but also because we are trying to set up a number of gigs and a little tour to promote the CD.

DHN: We are now in the middle of 2003. Do you feel deep house music has changed yet from 2000?

Marco: I don’t think it has changed that much, but definitely influences from different genres are out there.

DHN: To finish off, Which was the best gig you ever played and which was the craziest moment you’ve ever experienced as a DJ during a set?

Marco: For me, there isn’t a best gig, the next one always makes you think which was your best. About a crazy moment, no comment, but I am curious to see what other DJs will say about this one so keep me posted!

Thanks to all Transport supporters and true deep house heads out there!

Keep it real, Peace!

MFR

To contact MFR info@transportrecordings.com - DJ Bookings contact Caroline Hoste at Music2Productions - caroline@music2productions.com

Federicco DHN