This house and techno heavyweight’s career has spanned over a decade with a consistent run of chart-topping hits. DJ, producer and label owner Mark Knight will be in Bengaluru on January 21 for a live gig at UB City.
Music has always been an integral part of his life since he was a kid (son of a drummer) and he would save every penny he had for honing his musical skills. “I’ve had a lifelong passion for music but never thought it feasible to make a career of it. So, when I initially started DJing it was just for ‘fun’, although the more you are involved in the music industry the more you realise the opportunities on offer,” states the British musician.
Talking of his plans for his Bengaluru performance, Mark lets us in on what his fans can expect from his gig. “I don’t really plan things in terms of my sets. Fans of mine have a good idea of what to expect when they see me play. A lot of it is already there on my Soundcloud or the Toolroom Radio Show,” says the second highest-selling Beatport artist of all time (with no less than eight number ones to his credit) with releases on a diverse range of labels such as Suara, 1605, Stereo and Toolroom.
He confesses to being a perfectionist. “I’m a person who when starting something will not stop till he is the best at it. Landing a residency at Ministry of Sound back in 2004 was a real turning point for me and I’ve not looked back since. Now I can’t imagine my life taking any other path,” reveals Mark on the turning point in his musical career.
Armed with a musical library that knows no boundaries, a consistent run of hits and chart-topping ventures alike, the success of Knight’s career is heard through a spread of anthems that have sealed a diverse musical heritage.
“My Grammy nomination is something that I’ll always be proud of, besides my Essential mixes. It was great that people reacted the way they did to Second Story. Just that the fact that my labels are still there and thriving makes me incredibly proud. We’re fast-approaching our 15 year anniversary, which will be a great milestone to hit. I also spent a lot of time last year working in the studio on a new project that’s nearly finished. This is something that will be kept separate to Toolroom and will show a different side to my production,” he says,
Recalling some of his favourite gigs, he adds, “I’ve been fortunate enough to play pretty much everywhere in the world, at some of the greatest clubs and venues, and every time I start a set, I go in thinking it could be the best one ever. Sometimes, the stars align and everything just falls into place, and I completely lose myself in the crowd, music and atmosphere. Setting the bar high is always something you should aim for. If you’re doing something that’s part of youth culture, then you need to keep evolving to stay relevant. Then the challenge becomes whether you can evolve without sacrificing the core values that made you successful in the first place.”
