Metamotional Music

THE 10 QUESTIONS: MADOKA

PROFILE
DJ/Producer Name: Madoka & Akodama
Real Name: Mark Venneri
From: NYC for a few years now

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XP: What are your Top 5 tracks at the moment?

01.Satoshi’s mix of Kosheen’s Hungry - He is masterminding his Mixes lately. Can’t wait for his NuBreed.
02. Gentle rain – Blackwatch is a consistently great producer.
03. Close Yer Eyez by Dan F on a pretty tight new breaks label called Disuye.
04. Angels by Organic Soul – the mighty Revolt.
05. My own Arena - forthcoming on Private Reality. It’s really going to take some by surprise.

XP: How did you get involved into dance music?

M: I began to discover the dancier side of industrial music around 1990 and then naturally progressed into House and Techno the following year. I think I listened to 808 State’s Utd. State 90 a thousand times that year. I remember the industrial scene at that time just fizzled too. People split and many either turned to grunge or to rave music. 1990 to about 1993 is still one of my favorite periods of dance music, especially for house. It was all so fresh and new. Every tune just seemed to blow you away. I loved the way music was treated back then too. You would be lucky if you heard the same song, even if it was popular, like 3 times ever. Two plays and it was old already. I still don’t even know the name of half of the greatest tracks I heard at that time and I sort of appreciate that. It’s the experience that made the songs so special in the first place to me. The name, artist or label isn’t always the most important thing to take away from a DJ, instead, it’s the interpretation, emotion and memories that follow.

XP: Does your girlfriend/wife hate your music?

M: My girlfriend LOVES the music. I introduced her to it all a few years ago when I initially met her and she has been my biggest supporter since. She wholly understands my creative process and helps me out in any way she can. That’s the best type of partner to have if you live the music the way I do.

XP: How many records do you buy and receive per month?

M: I haven’t been buying many records in the past year or two because I shifted my entire focus to producing. I played for years though and when I was spinning every week at parties and clubs that number was high. These days I am receiving a good deal of whites and TPs because my profile is growing. I am going to start Djing once I establish a bit of a name as a producer too, so I will start to pick up tons of records every week again. I listen to and download a ton of music on the web though. I like to hear all the latest sounds and directions for many of the genres across the board. It’s definitely an addiction.

XP: Can you still dance?

M: Hell yeah! I am getting slower, however, as the years pass. Although I am far from an old man now, I remember being able to dance for like 10 days straight when I was younger. I still love it. .

XP: What’s the coolest thing/quote you have ever heard about yourself?

M: “Madoka will fast become one of our greats.” Choice words by Pezz with his review of Coppola in his Muzik magazine column. That’s incredible expectation I guess I must live up to now, right! Release Record’s review of “Mass” on their website was quite intriguing as well. I have received so much support and positive feedback this year though that I really appreciate all of the great words and kind wishes from everyone.

XP: There are millions of bedroom DJ’s over the world. What’s your specific quality that lets you surpass that level?

M: Storytelling. I have always been the most influenced by the DJs and producers that tell a story through their work. People like Tenaglia, Sasha and Digweed and one of my biggest influences growing up, Josh Wink, do this so well. I try to put that element back into my own work. Also, it’s an aspect that is crucial to the Private Reality concept. It’s about creating an entire mental soundtrack and personally interpreting a song in your own way.

XP: What are your goals for the next 12 months?

M: To continue building Madoka and Private Reality’s profile with original and Mix work. I plan on getting myself back into spinning to help support my producing. I also want to introduce a few different sounds and musical directions early on. I don’t want me or my label to be categorized in any one particular way. My influences are too diverse for that treatment.

XP: What car do you drive and why?

M: I don’t even know where to stick the key in a car. Lived in large cities my whole life and never really had the need or desire to have one.

XP: Did you get into DJing/producing for the sex, drugs, beats and money or are you just too lazy to do a regular job?

M: A bit of everything here initially I think. But today, it is really important to me to always be as professional as possible. I guess I really do it to satisfy my creative sensibilities first, for people to experience and interpret second and everything else in your list just enhances the process.

XP: How will the dance scene evolve over the next years according to you?

M: It will just get bigger. Especially on a worldwide scale. It’s an unstoppable force that is always gaining more popularity and respect. On the flip to things, I think producing and DJing will mature tremendously over the next few years. The digital realm will gain immense ground and support as the technology proves to get better. I fully believe in the movement and hope to use it even more to create and perform. I still enjoy the sound and feel of vinyl and all, but this music has constantly evolved because of the manipulation of technology. That trend will certainly continue.

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