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Dynamix packs minimal electro

At Tommy's, March 8

By Nicole Fitzgerald

Who: Mark Dynamix

When: Thursday, March 8

Where: Tommy Africa’s

Tickets: $12

Some people when they travel pick up small souvenirs to remember their trips: a postcard or maybe a T-shirt. But for a globetrotting producer/DJ, a trip to Europe means packing a new sound into the old tickle trunk. For Australia’s number one DJ, Mark Dynamix, he’s traveling light these days with a new minimal electro sound.

“I spent a large part of 2006 in Europe playing in Germany, Ibiza, UK and Scandinavia so the sound I’m playing at the moment reflects the music that I was hearing over there and at the moment Germany especially is on a minimal almost progressive trance tip but with a new electro quirkiness in the music,” said Dynamix in between snowboarding runs on Hirafu Mountain in Niseko, Japan.

“I’m loving the sound because I believe the music has gone full circle since the ’90s, going from progressive house sounds through to the big trance sound of ’98-99, on to breaks and house in ’01-02 and then electro for the last few years. Now we’re back to a stripped down sound similar to 1995-96 but with a slight randomness in the percussion and melody that keeps it interesting.”

Interesting for Aussie listeners as well whose standard dose of house music mix leaves little to push boundaries Down Under.

Aussies can’t get enough of Dynamix who spins his dirty tech and electro shows regularly at hot spots such as Chinese Laundry in Sydney as well as The Cave.

The Down Under gent has stood behind turntables for more than 15 years, logging impressive credits including the title of Australia’s Hardest Workding DJ by 3D World Magazine, 26 mix CDs and counting, Ministry of Sound tours and recordings, and a website (markdynamix.com) that has wracked up more than one million hits. Some of the biggest highlights for 2006 and already into 2007 include the single hit Identify Me that was playlisted on Triple J’s hottest 100 poll and climbed to number six on the Aria Club Chart. The Annual also became the highest selling complilation in the country ever, bringing Dynamix’s mixed compilations sales to over 1.5 million around the world. Europe, Japan and Canada tours have kept the Aussie hard at work with even more singles and touring to come.

“It’s full steam ahead with production plus planning for another European trip later on in the year,” he said. “I’m hoping to base myself in Germany for at least three months, working around Europe playing gigs like the Love Parade again and The End in the UK. I have a third single ready to release, called What You Do To Me, and there’s a remix I’ve finished for the Norwegian band Datarock waiting for release. And then possibly another Ministry of Sound CD later in the year or early next.”

Dynamix’s talents aren’t just confined to turntables, the music aficionado also hosts radio shows, and contributes a column to 3D World and Scene magazines as well as various websites.

You only need to look at Dynamix’s favourite tee to figure out his most memorable interview — the band whose music he enjoys throwing into a dance mix for a surprise, as he did with his Personal Jesus remix at Australia’s Luna Park.

“Favourite interview? Dave Gahan from Depeche Mode which was recorded back in 2005 just before Playing The Angel was released,” Dynamix said. “I’ve been a mega fan of DM for over 20 years, so it was a once in a lifetime opportunity to be able to chat about everything from the S&M gear he used to wear in 1984 on stage through to the temporary split of the band in 1994.”

So what can fans expect from his Whistler show Thursday, March 8 at Tommy Africa’s?

“Well I think I’ve always tried to stay true to my personal taste when mixing DJ sets, playing a main room set but with the element of surprise and occasional darkness to spice things up a bit,” he said. “That’s why I’m into the Berlin sound especially at the moment. Artists like Thomas Schumacher, Chopstick, John Dahlback, H-Man, Stephen Bodzin — they’re all making music that combines big room sounds with solid drums but arranged in a way that keeps the whole thing clean and minimal.”

Advance $12 tickets are available at The Mix, The Hub Creekside and Tommy’s. Doors open at 9 p.m. with support sets from Jamie Vale and J.T.