006 - Marcio Vermelho
Marcio Vermelho is a veteran in the Brazilian club scene, DJing and producing since the early 00’s and holding residencies at various venues in his home town São Paulo. Famed for his eclectic range I found early on that a Vermelho mix could take on any number of different styles, themes and sounds, everything from acid to disco, and always deliver something special. His Métron Musik Mixtape is no different.
Márcio has put together a collection of tracks that are incredibly special to him, the majority taken from some of his favourite records from the 70’s and 80’s. Played through headphones it's a cinematic, hallucinogenic trip through a city after dark, street lights, high spirits, corner boys, street dancers and enigmatic characters abound. Played in the club it's a euphoric funk adventure with enough heart, soul and tension to bring a room to climax. Either way you spin it, it's a joyous listening experience ending on one of my personal favourite pieces of music, the recently reissued Mariah - Shinzo No Tibira.
You can explore the results of Márcio's musical endeavours over on Soundcloud & check out his visual experiments on his 'Video-Sistema' page. He'll be playing in São Paulo on November 7th alongside Carrot Green, Juju & Jordash and others at an event called ODD. You can read our interview with Márcio below:
JH: We’ve spoken a little bit in the past couple of weeks and, as you know, I really loved the mix, its got a fantastic energy and shines a light on some great old records. Thanks again for getting involved.
Can you tell us a little bit about the Brazilian dance/electronic music scene, and in Sao Paulo specifically? You’ve been in the game for a while now, how has the culture changed since you started DJing?
MV: The electronic music in Brazil is quite good at the moment, with a solid scene throughout the country. São Paulo is going through a special and intense moment, marked by musical diversity and parties going on everywhere, from clubs to public spaces, big venues and vibrant small underground parties. In the 15 years playing professionally I saw many changes and a huge expansion in electronic culture. The amount of people who came to attend electronic music events increased considerably, part of this people are more open to new sounds and experiences. The options of events and music styles are much higher today. A large part of those involved in work is increasingly professionalized.
I travelled a bit playing in other countries and I can tell you there’s no other place like São Paulo.
JH: In what way do you think Brazilian musical culture plays a role in the kind of music you make?
MV: Brazilian music is so rich and diverse, it’s impossible not to be under the influence of this music living here. For me, it’s all about the rhythm - the drums, the African influence ... I love the percussion, I think it's the strongest element that I take for my music.
JH: You seem to be somewhat of a musical chameleon, able to flick between different genres and styles, whilst I personally love that approach, do you find that it makes it more difficult to find a voice and an audience?
MV: I’m glad to have the opportunity to show all the sides of my music playing at parties from many different styles. It’s a pleasure to share hours and hours of music research and tell stories with this material. I think you reach more people playing this way and there’s a great satisfaction as DJ when it works. I feel the same when I’m in the other side, on the dancefloor. I get bored with linear sets, I’m always waiting for a surprise.
JH: Can you tell us a bit about ‘Sphynx’?
MV: Sphynx is a music project I have with friend and one of the best Brazilian producers, Pedro Zopelar. We seek to create an immersive sound, with strong funk & synth 80s influence, transported to the future. Our first 12 “, “No Ar”, will be released soon by the German label The Magic Movement, with 3 original tracks and a remix by Toby Tobias. We already have a track released by the Bastard Jazz label, a b-side single compiled by Soul Clap, released exclusively in 7”.
JH: Finally can you recommend us a couple of artists or records, past or present, we should check out that you like a lot?
MV: I’m listening a lot of old Japanese stuff lately. I highly recommend a wonderful record: Mariah's Utakata No Hibi, from 1983, reissued by Palto Flats last month. From my research of new sounds, I’m very impressed with the 100% Silk label, some great releases of electronic/house/techno music.
JH: I totally agree, the Mariah reissue is excellent. Thanks again for your time, passion and energy in creating this wonderful mix for us.
The original artwork below was created exclusively for the mixtape by Jack Hardwicke.
