Among the various genres of electronic music, techno is the one that has generated more respected producers in Brazil than any other. Renato Cohen, Anderson Noise and Pet Duo (aka Ana and David) are the most famous ones. Yet, another name can be added to this list, without hesitation: Marcos Santos, otherwise known as DJ Murphy.
Born in São Paulo in 1978, Murphy started his career quite early, becoming the epitome of a skilled dj. “When I saw Murphy playing yesterday I thought I should retire myself, go back to school, play with my mixer in my room again,” recalls British dj Ben Long, after a back-to-back set with Murphy in Germany in 2004. Ben and Jamie Bissmire form the techno duo Space DJ’z. “I don’t know how to play. Murphy is the future of techno. I don’t know how the world has never discovered a guy like this,” he added, full of compliments and exaggerations.
Well, Murphy and Renato Cohen were ‘discovered’ in similar ways: Murphy met German dj Christian Fischer in 2001, whereas Cohen met Carl Cox in the following year. As a result, both Brazilians have had their work recognized abroad ever since.
On 22 July Murphy will eventually debut in London, playing for RAVE — The International Indoor Festival, thanks to the efforts of Never Enough Maria, ResisAnts and Antiworld crews. In a 20-minute chat I had with him last weekend he explains why he took so long to come to the UK, tells us more about his invitation to play at Love Parade in Berlin and gives more details about his career — and the reason for his nickname, of course.
Hi Marcos. First of all, why Murphy? Was it because of Eddie Murphy?
Yes, because at school I used to tell jokes all the time. I don’t look exactly like him, but I’m slim and black as him, so my mates in the beginning called me Eddie Murphy, but then only Murphy.
When was your first contact with electronic music?
I can’t remember precisely, but was very early. At the age of eleven I already listened to dj programs on the radio and they played some electronic stuff. At this time I used to listen to a lot of acid house and hip-hop. When I started to play, I was first a hip-hop dj and then I was introducing more and more electronic music in my sets, until it became a set full of electronic music.
You’ve said that people like Jeff Mills and Laurent Garnier influenced you to become a dj. Have you ever played with them? How was it?
Well, almost. I played once in the same event, but in different rooms. It’s nice because we never imagine such thing. It’s something like an impossible dream, and play alongside Jeff Mills was like, “Wow! I’ve made it! I can do the same things he does, which are to play and to make music!”
By the way, how many tracks have you made so far?
That’s a big problem because I don’t know exactly how much vinyl has been released. First I produced music by myself and now I have a partnership with Christian Fischer, a German dj and owner of the label Definition Records. When I was in Europe I stayed in Leipzig so we spend the whole week in studio making tracks, collecting samples, thinking of some ideas and developing everything in studio. As far as I can remember, last year there might have been about twenty tracks released, including singles and remixes.
When did you meet Christian Fischer?
I met Fischer in São Paulo in 2001. I was resident of club A Lôca and he was the guest dj of one night. A couple of months later I made a track called ‘Tem Lenha’ and another one called ‘Afinidade’ and sent to him. He enjoyed both tunes and decided to release them on his label. ‘Tem Lenha’ turned out to be a big hit in Germany and other countries, resulting in my departure to Europe. From this point I started to play gigs there every now and again.
On the 15 July you’re playing at Love Parade in Berlin. Will this be your first time? How was your reaction when you received the invitation?
Yes. It’s a huge event and this year they expect around two million people. It’s an excellent opportunity because I always wanted to play. It’s gonna be my first time and I’m in a privileged position because I’m playing at Nature One Festival truck and then at Siegessäule (Column of Victory). I was surprised and very pleased. I never imagined myself playing at Love Parade.
On the 22 July you’re playing for RAVE at SEOne. Is this a belated debut in London?
Yes, it is, because in 2001 I was going to play in London then at Heathrow airport I was obstructed. I went to Heathrow and was then turned away. It was totally frustrating because I would have also played in Liverpool and then would have headed to Northern Ireland. I was going as a tourist and didn’t have a work permit, which didn’t allow me to enter the country.
Dave Clarke once said he would play only with CDs from now on. What do you think about it?
Vinyl has had its death announced for the last ten years, but as it is the dj’s main essence, I think it will still be around for a long time. Though, the use of CDs is valid and there are djs playing with computers only, it isn’t proper live PAs, but using software like Ableton Live. They can build a whole set with this software, as it’s been done by big names such as Chris Liebing and Sasha. It’s valid because who’s on the dance floor is more interested in listening to good music. I play with vinyl and some CDs as well and if new technology appears, and I like it, perhaps with the development of Final Scratch, giving a better performance to my style of playing, I might change too.
Are you influenced by other djs or producers nowadays?
I try to do my own style. I sometimes joke: “Well, I don’t like to see other DJs playing,” because I don’t want to get fads. From the guys I appreciate, I try to absorb what they have better, whether it is technique, or repertory, or charisma, posture behind the decks.
What people can expect in your set at Rave?
I don’t even know myself. For me, it’s always a surprise. It depends on the atmosphere of the dance floor, on how the previous dj is playing. The crowd can expect the “Murphy style” and people who have seen me playing or have listened to one of my sets on the internet know what I’m talking about. I try to do some very intense sets with uplifting tracks, trying always to entertain the crowd the most.
What was the weirdest thing you’ve seen in clubs?
I don’t know, but a couple of times it happened that I was playing and someone came and put their hands on the decks. So everybody stared at me and asked: “Hey dj, what’s going on?” I had to call the security to take the person away from the dj booth.
You travel a lot. So how do you entertain yourself waiting in the airport?
I’m with my iPod 24 hours a day. The laptop helps as well. I read a lot, I buy loads of books and I also keep with me my PSP (Playstation Portable).
What do you do when you aren’t playing?
I love being at home, on the internet searching for vinyl, listening to new tunes, reading a bit or even dating.
Name three tracks you’ve been spinning at the moment.
DJ Murphy & Christian Fischer — ‘Unknown 14’
DJ Murphy & Christian Fischer — ‘I Miss You’
Technasia — ‘2 The Floor’
When was your most memorable set?
Difficult to say just one I’ve liked it, but I like my sets at club Lov.e in São Paulo or at Circuito parties, where I’ve played many times.
Who do you think are the best djs?
Dave Clarke (I appreciate his technique and his repertory) and Chris Liebing (he manages to play a techno set that isn’t that fast and hard at the same time).
Who are your favourite producers?
Valentino Kansyani and Marco Nastic.
What are your favourite clubs?
Lov.e, D-Edge (both in São Paulo) and U60311 (Frankfurt).
What are your favourite labels?
BPitch Control and Soma Recordings.
All photos courtesy of DJ Murphy. Not to be reproduced without permission.
TICKETS:
From May 15 to May 22 £ 15 + Bf (Sold Out)
From May 22 to June 22 £20 + Bf
From June 22 to July 22 £ 25 + Bf
(All While Stock Last) More thereafter.
ResistAnts and Never Enough, in collaboration with Antiworld & Hommega Productions proudly present “RAVE – The International Indoor Festival”
Rave: v. to speak wildly, irrationally; to roar; to attend a rave.
n. the act or an instance of raving; an extravagantly enthusiastic opinion or review; an all-night dance party, especially one where techno, house or other electronically synthesized music is played.
Who better knows the meaning of RAVE than Never Enough Maria? She’s been working in the clubbing industry week in, week out for the last five years and now has teamed up with ResistAnts (Luisinho and Helio) for the first time, in partnership with Antiworld and Hommega Productions, to bring you RAVE – The International Indoor Festival.
Featuring a truly international line-up of the finest live acts and DJs from France, Israel, Germany, Portugal, South Africa and of course, not forgetting Brazil and the UK, we will take over the magic arches underneath London Bridge for an unforgettable instance of RAVING, a truly experience of all-night long mayhem.
The Main Room hosts the best in full-on psychedelic trance, with live performances from French Talamasca and Brazilian The Full On Project. Making their exclusive UK album launches, Israeli Intelabeam (Hommega) presents Looking for a Cure, while countryman Idor Ophir aka Domestic (Hommega) showcases his debut artist work Art Making Machine. Also, DJ sets from Antiworld residents Kristian and Sutekh, Hommega’s Pixel, Digital Hive’s DVI-X (Brazil) and Digoa Vs Kanan (Brazil).
Have you ever thought about a bigger hard dance act than Lab4? We neither, so our Hard Dance Room is dedicated for those who like it as harder and faster as usual. Joining Adam and Lez, Frank Ellrich aka A*S*Y*S – Acid Save Your Soul – spins his German hard trance sound for the second time in the SEOne Complex, alongside Hard Dance Awards 2005 Best DJ Proteus, from Finland. ResistAnts Portuguese DJs Vega and Rui M and Samba boy Marcelo Marques complete the bill.
Last, but not least, the Electro & Techno Room, hosted by Never Enough. This time, though, with as many skillful Brazilians as the international squad. Making his London debut, godfather DJ Murphy will play the latest in techno, having performed recently at the Skol Beats festival. Water Republic DJ agency bring again to the UK prodigy boy Vitor Lima and his elbow scratching skills, followed by rising star Phillip A. NRGFlow’s Mike Redina presents his techno set accompanied by JK Theory on percussion, while Kinky Mambo’s Eduardo Herrera will be canning his electro-flavored poison. If you fancy a funky Brazilian beats set, don’t miss Ponana’s very own Eddie Santos playing back to back Carnival expert Alec Fasani (Reaction DJs). To finish off in great style, Terry Brian featuring Saffa Cherry Crush.
So book a day-off on the following morning, as the 22nd July will be like celebrating the World Cup title.
British created football, but Brazilians have taken it to another level.British created RAVE, but Brazilians have become a synonym of hardcore clubbers.
Mixmag recently rated Brazil as the “new Ibiza”, so join us and judge yourself our party animal expertise!!!
Flyer:
-
Region:
London
Music:
Hard Trance. Tech Trance. Psy Trance. House. Hard House. Funky Techno. Techno.
DJ's:
Psychedelic Trance Room
Talamasca (France) – Live + DJ Set
Intelabeam (Israel) - Live
Pixel (Israel) – 2 Hr DJ Set
Domestic (Israel) - Live
Kristian(Gilbrathar)
Sutekh (UK)
The Full On Project (Brazil)
Digoa Vs Kanan (Brazil)
DVI-X (Brazil)
Hard Dance Room
Lab4 A*S*Y*S (Germany)
Proteus (Finland)
Ross Vs Moon (UK)
DJ Vega (Portugal)
Rui. M (Portugal)
Marcelo Marques (Brazil)
Electro & Techno Room Hosted by Never Enough
DJ Murphy (Brazil) – London debut
Vitor Lima (Brazil)
Phillip A (Brazil)
Eduardo Herrera (Brazil)
Mike Redina Vs JK Theory – Live Percussion(UK)
Terry Brian Feat. Cherry Crush(UK)
Alec Fasani Vs Eddie Santos (Brazil)
From: Mariaon 14th Jul 2006 19:58.54 Love your music. I'm so glad to have you with us! Enjoy Love Parade and keep some energy for Rave. Can't wait to see you in action. Hey Kiko, thanks to one more brilliant interview! Pena que voce nao estara' aqui! See you all on the dance,trance, electro and techno floors!!!
From: gontijoon 14th Jul 2006 20:20.19 I just saw MURPHY in Belo Horizonte and SKOL BEATS.Don't expect anythink less then a QUALITEEEE SET
Wiiiicked Dj.
PEDRA # DRUM TRAX #
From: gontijoon 14th Jul 2006 20:21.59 Good work Maria. waiting for some hard staf over here
PEDRA
From: Lxon 15th Jul 2006 13:44.29 fkn bring it on!! brazilian waxing and techno
From: sunvisordudeon 15th Jul 2006 16:00.16 Murphy has brought me many, many happy moments over the years. great to finally see his entrance on the london scene. love it
From: Centurianon 18th Jul 2006 17:48.18 It's like recycled loops. i just repeating the same comments over and over again....
So gutted i can't be there.
Big love to you all!
From: Kikoon 19th Jul 2006 22:24.11 The proof of what Ben Long said about Murphy: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MdSWa1IgHMU
F**k me!
From: Mariaon 23rd Jul 2006 22:26.43 Murphy set at Rave last night was AMAZING!!! Was great to look at LAB4 Adam, Proteus and other djs watching Murphy playing...they couldnt believe in what they saw. Thank you Stu for all your wicked support. Watch this space for Murphy next gigs in London!
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I'm so glad to have you with us! 
Enjoy Love Parade and keep some energy for Rave. Can't wait to see you in action. 
Hey Kiko, thanks to one more brilliant interview! 
Pena que voce nao estara' aqui! 
See you all on the dance,trance, electro and techno floors!!!
