Giving back

The name Markus Schulz inspires awe and wonderment.

The intense melodies he produces in his studio highlights his incredible talent, while his chaotic gig schedule highlights him as one of the most in-demand DJs across the world. And in the lead up to Summafieldayze, the name Markus Schulz is sure to bring the fans out in force.

Where Markus stands out is in his unique sound and unique style. “It helps if you are recognised for a certain sound that you produce,” Markus says. “And you have to be totally in tune with the audience. I’ve never been a traditional trance DJ. I’ve always looked for the sexy groove and then looked for the melody on top of those grooves.

I have something in my head and then carve out that sound - whether it’s a synth or a melody. Then I develop it with percussion or counter melodies. From there, I go into DJ mode, where I’m trying to figure out the direction of where this track eventually goes to take people on a journey. That’s my train of thought; first as a musician, then as a DJ.”

Markus’ journey is as intense as his music. Born in Germany, Markus emigrated to the US in 1988, just as EDM was first hitting the country. Inspired by the new electronic sounds, he would take a stand behind the wheels of steel throughout the 1990s, perfecting his craft and breaking into the global electronic music scene. But after so much toil and success, what path does Markus follow now?
“I think you get to a certain point where you are content with your standing in the scene. You have to be someone who paves the way for the next generation. I don’t plan on retiring any time soon, but as the next stage of my career, I want to leave a legacy. I want to be looked as someone who not only took from the scene, but also gave back.”

And what will he be giving his fans when he ventures out for Summafieldayze? “Every time I’ve been to Australia, I’ve had an amazing experience. I’ll be coming with some new and exclusive tracks. I’m in the studio right now, and I’m working on my new artist album, so I’ll be testing the tracks on the tour.”

Markus Schulz plays Summafieldayze, on the Gold Coast, Saturday January 2. summafieldayze.com