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Features
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| Introducing NEM3SI$’s new label Infinite Resistance! | | Mindbenderz talk ‘Lord of the Rings’ and fishing, as well as the creation of their new album ‘Celestial Gateway’! | | Iono-Music artists One Function, Eliyahu, Invisible Reality and Dual Vision talk Robert Miles, kids, dogs and vinyl, while we chat about their current releases! | | Luke&Flex talk influences, the Irish rave scene, why Flex wears a mask and Play Hard, their new EP out now on Onhcet Repbulik Xtreme! | | Lyktum expands on his new album ‘Home’ – talking about his love of storytelling, creating new harmonies and the concept behind his musical works. | | Pan talks getting caught short crossing the Sahara, acid eyeballs and tells us Trance is the Answer, plus shares his thoughts on his latest release 'Beyond the Horizon' - all from a beach in Spain! | | Miss C chats about living with the KLF, DJing in a huge cat’s mouth, training her brain and the upcoming super-duper Superfreq Grande party at LDN East this Saturday, 16th September! | | NEM3SI$ - I Live for the Night – talks superficiality, psychopaths, and bittersweet success, ahead of a plethora of evocative, emotional, and passionate upcoming melodic techno releases! | | Psy-Sisters Spring Blast Off! We talk to DJ competition winner ROEN along with other super talents on the lineup! | | Blasting towards summer festivals with Bahar Canca ahead of Psy-Sisters Spring Blast! | | Shyisma talks parties, UFO's, and Shotokan Karate ahead of his upcoming album 'Particles' on Iono-Music! | | SOME1 talks family, acid, stage fright and wolves - ahead of his upcoming album release ‘Voyager’ on Iono-Music in February 2023! | | The Transmission Crew tell all and talk about their first London event on 24th February 2023! | | NIXIRO talks body, mind and music production ahead of his release 'Planet Impulse' on Static Movement's label - Sol Music! | | Turning the world into a fairy tale with Ivy Orth ahead of Tribal Village’s 10th Birthday Anniversary Presents: The World Lounge Project | | The Psy-Sisters chat about music, achievements, aspirations and the 10-Year Anniversary Party - 18/12/22! | | A decade of dance music with Daniel Lesden | | Earth Needs a Rebirth! Discussions with Psy-Trance Artist Numayma | | Taking a Journey Through Time with Domino | | New Techno Rising Star DKLUB talks about his debut release White Rock on Onhcet Republik! | | PAN expands on many things including his new album 'Hyperbolic Oxymoron' due for release on the 14th April 2022 on PsyWorld Records! | | Psibindi talks all things music including her new collaborative EP 'Sentient Rays' on Aphid Records, her band Sentience Machine and 10 years of Psy-Sisters! |
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Innovate interview: MDA & Spherical
Reported by Craig Paxton
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Submitted 26-04-06 15:00
History is littered with the names of dynamic duos who have left lasting legacies as great entertainers who were masters at their craft. Great names like Morecambe & Wise, French & Saunders & The Two Ronnies have brought smiles and happiness to countless faces over the years whilst plying their trade.
Certain pairings only come along once every so often and upon witnessing their talents most people can instantly tell that they will last the test of time and be entertaining the masses for years and years to come.
One such duo, not so much making waves in the hard dance scene as riding the crest of a tsunami, are the undoubtedly talented MDA & Spherical.
Right guys, I wanted to avoid this question as it seems a fairly obvious one to ask, where did the names MDA & Spherical come from? I’m assuming there has to be some sort of funny story behind it, so please spill the beans!
You know what Craig, we’ve actually never been asked that before. MDA is Matt’s initials and well, um, Mark seems to think that he’s a sphere, like the sun. The centre of the universe — everything revolves around him. Haha, nah — only joking, it’s just a random word pinpointed in the dictionary with a knife on one extremely bored evening.
Making tunes and hearing them played by other djs in clubs or djing to a crowd of people and watching them go off when you drop one of your own productions — which gives you the bigger buzz and what’s your most memorable experience of either of those?
It’s always a great buzz hearing one of your tracks dropped in the middle of a packed main room. It’s always guaranteed to send one of us towards the dance floor grinning like a Cheshire cat. However, the feeling of playing them yourself cannot be beaten, it’s a major reason as to why we always feature a healthy amount of our own material in all of our sets.
One of the most memorable experiences of hearing one of our tunes played has to be the first time we had a tune played out at 5am to a rammed Camden Palace dance floor. Magic!
After you guys had your first few tracks signed to major labels the remix work started to pour in as well. Do you prefer coming up with original ideas or giving other people’s work the MDA & Spherical make-over? What’s your personal favourite out of the tracks you have re-worked?
Matt: I personally love remixing tracks. It’s really good to get your hands on someone else’s creation, then twist it into your own style and try giving it that little something extra. Look out for remixes due on Masif, Nukleurpuppy and Tranzlation soon.
Mark: Hmm, I’d have to say original tracks myself. Remixes are good in way, but I feel you’re limited by the record label with what you can do. With original tracks you’ve got complete creative freedom. Remix-wise I’d have to say I’m happiest with our remix of Phil York’s ‘Drop The Beatz Out’ on Tranzlation Whites last month.
Out of all the tracks you have done so far, and it’s fair to say that there have been some excellent efforts, such as ‘Controlling Me’ which got signed to Tidy and your awesome remix of Benny Drohan’s ‘Back to the Programme’ on Whiplash. What do you feel is your best work? Which track are you really proud of that you feel stands out from the rest?
Well, thank you for your compliments! We both feel that our productions are improving all the time and both know that there’s still a hell of a lot to learn. Because of this we would have to say that we are most proud of some of the new material we are making right now. If we were forced to choose something, we could never really pick one anyway — there are things we like from many different tracks.
What tracks have you got due for release in the next few months?
We have lots of exciting releases coming up. Very shortly Oblivion Digital will be launching its purple label with an EP from us, It features ‘Endorphin’ (with Chris Shaw) and ‘Illusion’, written with DJ GRH and featuring the vocals of Donna Marie. This track has been completely re-made for 2006. Also, out on Oblivion Recordings 003 we have the ‘Collaboration EP’ featuring ‘Tekamine’ with Chrysus & Technikal and ‘Phantasm’ with Chrysus.
It seems to me that you guys come up with some pretty original ideas in your tunes. Where do you take your influences from? Is there anyone’s sound in particular that you try to emulate or do you just feed off of each other in the studio? Metaphorically speaking of course, I’m not implying that you are cannibals.
Matt: I wouldn’t joke around Craig, Mark’s been known to have cannibalistic tendencies…
Anyway, back to the question — well, we’re both into a really broad selection of music, basically anything electronic. Its because of this I think we try to draw ideas from all different genres and bundle them together into one big hard dance orgy.
Mark: The way we can bounce ideas off each other in the studio is a major help for our sound. We tend to find that one of us will come up with a concept or idea then the other will take it and improve it with their own influence. It then bounces back and forth until were both happy with the end result. And then we’ll probably edit it again — I’m extremely fussy.
You’ve recently changed management and are now represented by the guys from Oblivion, James Jaye and Shaf De Bass, who are pretty well known in their own rights as both djs, producers and label managers, why the change and what does the future hold for MDA & Spherical under the new management team?
The change of management was a hard decision to make. Hazel at Freeze Promotions has done great things for us — she helped us come a long way but we all agreed it was a necessary progression. The future’s looking bright though, and there are some awesome things planned with Oblivion Artist Management. There’s Riot! in Amsterdam at the end of April where we are playing at both the street party in the day outside The Grasshopper and also the night event at Kingdom, a 1500 capacity venue where we will be playing in the main room alongside BK again!
We are also have dates for HeatUK vs Frantic: Supernova, Addiction Boat Party, Fuel, Zoology and of course Innovate all confirmed for May, plus various other events that being finalized at the moment. Oblivion AM are working on some really exciting projects for us and it’s great to be part of such a newly formed management company with fresh concepts and ideas who have such a great belief in us and what we can achieve.
Ableton Live seems to have been responsible for a lot of producers making that next step towards performing their own material as a part of a live show format instead of your standard DJ sets, with Nick Sentience, Nick Rowland, Edison Factor and Greg Brookman being prime examples of this. What do you think of the technology and do you have any future plans for an MDA & Spherical live show? If so, what do you feel that you would bring to the table that would make you stand out from the others?
Funny you should say that actually. Ableton Live is an excellent program and really opens up the possibilities of what can be done with music in a club environment. We’re not allowed to give any details at the moment (if we told you we’d have to kill you, naturally) but watch this space — MDA & Spherical Live is going to be coming to a club near you very soon, and we’re quite excited about it. We’re going to be incorporating live vocals and make it a proper stage show. Lips are sealed as to what you’ll exactly be seeing, but we want to make sure the crowd aren’t just staring at two inanimate guys behind a couple of laptops.
Rumour has it that you are both full time students. Are you both in the same classes, and for those of us who don’t know, can you fill us in a bit on what it is that you are studying and what you hope to do once you have graduated from College?
Yeah that’s right — we’re both professional lazy students doing slightly different Music Technology courses at Huddersfield Uni. The courses are reasonably musically based but they also delve quite deep into programming and electronics. Afterwards we think we will just go with the flow and see where life takes us. It would be great be able to work within the music industry full time however.
Do you find that your budding DJ/Production career has interfered with your studies at all, or are you both fully committed to completing your studies? I can imagine you guys sitting there in a lecture chomping at the bit to get back to that tune that you want to finish…
Ha, yeah there have been various times after a weekend away djing that those Monday morning lectures just aren’t going to happen. However it’s not too bad, as we don’t have that many lectures to go to. There’s normally enough hours in the day to fit in uni, production, dj practice and whatever else takes our fancy. Although, there have been times when sleeping just isn’t an option.
What sort of reaction did you get from your parents when the gigs started coming in and they realised you were serious about carving out some sort of career in hard dance? Have they ever been to one of your gigs and what do they think of your music?
They weren’t too sure at first, especially because we were quite young when it all started. They seemed to realise that it was actually serious though, when they managed to go buy copies of our first release (Levitation) in Virgin Records. I don’t think they really get the music, as much as they try (the look on Mark’s granddads face when Mark played one of the tracks to him by request was priceless). They haven’t been to any of our gigs as of yet and we’re not quite sure what they would think of it to be honest. Never say never though — maybe one day!
Quick fire round:
Tell us something funny about the other that they wouldn’t want us to know…
Matt: Mark once went out, got very pissed and decided to put some pants on the outside of his jeans for some reason. He then promptly forgot about them and spent the rest of the evening walking round oblivious.
Mark: Haha, that was indeed a funny night. Let’s see now; Matt has a bizarre fear of fruit and vegetables. Hold a banana near his face and he runs like a little girl.
Who gets more girl groupies - Matt or Mark?
Well, Matt has his one long-term groupie. So we’d have to say Mark.
Do you sleep on the left hand side of the bed or the right?
Matt: In the middle!
Mark: It has to be the right, purely because the left-hand side of my bed is covered in so much stuff that makes It impossible to sleep on.
Favourite crisps?
Matt: Doritos
Mark: McCoys
HP or Tomato Sauce?
Matt: HP
Mark: Tomato
Favourite clothing brand?
Matt: Diesel Jeans
Mark: Um… brand?
Preferred beverage?
Matt: Vodka please, make it a triple.
Mark: Snakebite black.
Desperate Housewives or 24?
Matt: Can’t say I’ve watched either.
Mark: Desperate Housewives — purely for Eva Longoria.
Pamela Anderson or Liz Hurley?
Matt: Liz Hurley gets my vote.
Mark: Liz Hurley. No contest.
Vinyl or CD?
Matt: CD allows us to play our latest stuff straight out of the studio and also the new tracks we are sent, but both!
Mark: Have to agree there.
Finally…
You’re playing at Innovate on the 20th of May making your main room debut alongside Nick Sentience, Mac Zimms, Phil Reynolds and Nicki S. How do you feel about this gig, what can we expect to hear from you guys and do you have anything special prepared for the show that we should be listening for?
We’re both extremely excited about this gig. Innovate has without a doubt been one of the best and most consistent London promotions of the last two years, it’s an honour being asked to play in the main room. You can expect to hear a lot of new tracks straight from our studio, alongside our own cheeky re-edits and of course some upfront tracks from some of the biggest producers in the scene.
All logos and photos copyright Oblivion Recordings 2006. Not to be reproduced without permission.
INNOVATE
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On:
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Saturday 20th May 2006
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At:
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The Fridge [map]
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From:
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10.00pm - 6.00am
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Cost:
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£12 Advance tickets - MOTD
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Website:
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www.innovateuk.net
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Ticket Info:
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Web & Credit Card Bookings:
www.ticketweb.co.uk / 08700 600 100
For guest list email:
guestlist@innovateuk.net
Info Lines:
079 3298 2233 / 078 1506 9633
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Buy Online:
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Click here to buy tickets
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More:
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INNOVATE
plus guests: PUZZLE PROJECT vs. ZOOLOGY
Always on a mission to bring you the freshest new sounds, Innovate is proud to present the first London DJ set from Mac Zimms. For the past 5 years Mac has been slamming out tracks that Tiesto, Paul Van Dyk, Marco V, John Askew and Sander Van Doorn have been caning. Get down to Innovate to be among the first to witness the mater of trance perform his first London DJ set of 2006!
Just to raise the stakes and spice things up, Innovate resident, Nick Sentience will be jamming out live the biggest dance tracks of the year in a special one off LIVE vs. DJ set. Expect to have your minds blown as Sentience puts the Fridge dance floor through its paces and pushes it to the limit.
Also joining us are hot new talent MDA & Spherical who will be making their first main room appearance for us, and our guaranteed roof raisers Phil Reynolds and Nicki S are back to cause more mayhem!
Making their Innovate debut Puzzle Project and Zoology will be bringing their unique party vibe to the Ice Box. Needless to say this will be another unforgettable, essential Innovate experience. We look forward to seeing you there.
As if this wasn’t enough, we are calling on all up and coming DJ’s to join in our DJ competition to win the chance to play at this event alongside these spectacular performers.
Inspire – Create – Innovate
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Competitions:
1. Text your name and email to 07815069633 for your chance to win VIP entry to Innovate on Sat 20 May 06.
2. Have you been spotted? Check out www.innovateuk.net to see if you or your mates have won a night out on us!
3. DJ Competition: Do you have what it takes to rock the dance floor of one of London’s hottest club nights? Would you like to play alongside world-class superstar DJs? If the answer is yes then you need to enter our DJ Competition. Here at Innovate we are dedicated to promoting the hottest, freshest and most forward thinking DJ talent. We are always keeping our eyes and ears out for tomorrow’s superstars. To find out how to enter please visit: www.innovateuk.net
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Ticket Agents:
London - Never Enough - 020 7288 2275
Camden - Cyberdog - 020 7482 2842
Midlands – Vince - 078 3562 6226
Norfolk – Dave – 077 1525 5149
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TICKETS – WWW.TICKETWEB.CO.UK
GUEST LIST – WWW.INNOVATEUK.NET
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Other Features By Craig Paxton:
Unity with Steve Hill
Happy Birthday Feersum: Part Two
Happy Birthday Feersum: Part One
Interview with Danny Gilligan
The views and opinions expressed in this review are strictly those of the author only for which HarderFaster will not be held responsible or liable.
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Comments:
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From: Tina Martin on 26th Apr 2006 15:24.26
Go Matt and Circle boy! You two could pass as bruva's init.. 
From: James Jaye on 26th Apr 2006 15:25.13
Huge talents and great to work with. 2006 is the year of MDA & Spherical no doubt 
From: dani d on 26th Apr 2006 15:29.14
Nice interwiev guys...MDA & Spherical really to watch in 2006!!
From: Saint. on 26th Apr 2006 15:41.08
OMG OMG OMG Superstar DJs!
From: carl nicholson on 26th Apr 2006 15:55.06
Top boyz!
From: Olly Perris on 26th Apr 2006 16:14.56
Good work boys!!! I'll have to remember to bring a banana next time I see Matt. 
(That's come out far dodgier than I intended. Whoops.)
From: ~deleted1390 on 26th Apr 2006 16:24.38
Nice one guys. I still play Levitation out now. Cracking tune. Look forward to having you at Zoo on the 5th and seeing you in the main room on the 20th.
From: Lx on 26th Apr 2006 17:09.59
awww so young 
From: steelo kuchiki on 26th Apr 2006 18:08.09
dickheads
From: Shasa on 26th Apr 2006 18:15.26
Well done guys - all the best xxx
From: Hi Freak1c on 26th Apr 2006 18:17.23
well done guys fair play well happy for you both keep the tunes coming and see you very soon 24th
From: Letty Bird on 26th Apr 2006 21:18.48
WOW! Where do I sign up to be a groupie? Nah, you guys are legends!!! 
From: Emma Dicey on 26th Apr 2006 22:15.08
Nice pics!
From: Andy T on 27th Apr 2006 07:26.08
Nice one Guys
Hsave always known you'd go straight to the top ever since you sent me your 1st CD You've rocked countless Addiction Events from The SSB to The Fridge's Ice Box, and we can't wait to have you tear up the Thames next Saturday. 
Keep up the good work
From: onthebass on 27th Apr 2006 08:53.30
Top work lads. Definitely big names to watch over the coming years. Can't think of many of your tunes i haven't played
From: Nosferat0 on 27th Apr 2006 09:20.33
Add your comments here !
From: Nosferat0 on 27th Apr 2006 09:22.03
Oh Matt, Mark, you guys are the bestest evAr!!
I can't wait till Innovate where I'll be standing right up front again, I promise to keep my pants "on" this time, can I have a little kiss?
From: Kris Noble on 27th Apr 2006 09:29.09
two very talented producers - been doing it for me even from the days of GeneroProject
keep up the stonking work guys!
From: Gordon Darley on 27th Apr 2006 20:46.26
Cracking stuff lads. Really good to see some of the old Camden Lurkers doing the rounds. Keep it up
From: mace on 27th Apr 2006 22:14.48
YAAAAA!!!! YOU FUCKING ROCK MY WORLD MARK!! WOOOO!!!!!!!!!
From: SaraS on 28th Apr 2006 08:13.12
 Mace
DIAF Mark! Jokes  well done boys 
From: anushka007 on 28th Apr 2006 13:36.19
Fab, Fab, Fab!!!! I cannot wait!!!!! 
From: Camden Nurse on 28th Apr 2006 17:02.03
Fab interview boys, was gr8 to work with you and I have no doubt that Oblivion and yourselves will be bigger and better in 2006 and beyond.
From: Batch on 28th Apr 2006 18:30.22
nice one mark... take care guys
From: Luckyfuka on 29th Apr 2006 11:23.14
nice one lads, i remember when you were too young to go clubbing
From: Stu Cox on 30th Apr 2006 11:59.11
Both top lads, from what I hear they may be just about to change the face of hard dance forever...
From: Lana M on 1st May 2006 14:45.15
From: matt gardner on 1st May 2006 16:29.44
tunes are sounding sharper and sharper every time boys, setting high standards
From: K.A.R.L. on 2nd May 2006 11:21.30
Two very talented guys and top blokes too. All the best for Innovate.
From: Spherical on 2nd May 2006 12:15.52
Cheers for all the comments guys - just got back from Amsterdam and it's been nice to read all these. Really looking forward to Innovate and see you all soon, I'm sure.
From: Strawberry_K on 2nd May 2006 22:07.21
nice one very nice
congratulations!
From: bennett on 2nd May 2006 22:39.19
never met such a pair of ugly b@st@rds in all my life
talented ugly b@st@rds that is
From: suzy-q on 3rd May 2006 14:56.10
woot for the guys! looking forward to the boat party.
From: Mike Harris on 3rd May 2006 16:46.11
Top lads, well done guys, your gonna rock it!
From: Technikal on 3rd May 2006 16:58.08
Ring ring ring ring ring ring ring bananaphone ...
Great interview and pics guys, really hope I'm back in London for Innovate. Love you both dearly, and I hope Amsterdam went well!
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