On a high note with Marcus Schössow

Marcus Schössow established a name for himself when his first single ‘Chase My Rabbit’ was chosen to appear in Tiësto’s In Search Of Sunrise 6 mix compilation. He continued to impress the dance music scene when Armin van Buuren introduced his next single ‘Mr. White’ on his A State Of Trance radio show. It went on to become one of the biggest hits of 2007. The young Swede now owns his own record label, Tone Diary, and has started a radio show under the same name. Schössow’s influence as a producer, label owner and radio show producer makes him one of the emerging sound's true pioneers.

What song never fails to make you happy?
It’s an Andy Moor remix of Main Element’s ‘Forme’ and it was released in 2003. It has really wonderful melodies and it really does make me feel better when I feel down.

What’s the most depressing song you know?
Anything by James Blunt because his songs are just so boring and whiney. And don’t forget about Deadmau5; listen to his stuff and you will know why.

What was the first music video you recall watching that fascinated you?
I don’t know how old I was at the time, but I remember Michael Jackson’s ‘Thriller’ was the very first video that I watched. It was such an experience because at the time we just got a music channel in Sweden and they played Michael Jackson, and it was so unreal watching the choreography and special affects.

Who was your first music celebrity crush?
When I was about ten or 11 years old I fell in love with this Swedish popstar, Carola. She plays what we would call very cheesy pop music, but I liked her anyway. She was really a big star then and very pretty too.

Tell us about someone who was really gung-ho about getting you to listen to music.
My dad was a musician and he played in a rock band. One day he brought back this album by Scooter, and made me listen to it and I did. He didn’t have to do a lot of persuasion because I liked it. From Scooter I went to DJ Quicksilver and then I discovered other people like Sasha, Tiësto and Ferry Corsten. So I have to thank my dad for making me listen to Scooter in the first place.

What song is currently stuck in your head and why?
Jonas Steur sent me some demos a few months back and there’s this track that’s called ‘83’ with great melodies that captured my full attention, and I can’t stop listening to it. I believe that it’s going to be big when he finally releases it.

Who do you have the best conversations with about music?
There isn’t any particular person but I know I can get the best conversations with people older than me, especially in their late 20s or early 30s. The trance kids who are roughly around my age talk too much shit when it comes to music.

What is your most musical prized possession?
I would have to say my ears because without them I wouldn’t be able to hear sounds and melodies, which are obviously important elements in DJing and producing music.

What’s the greatest advice you’ve been given about music?
I remember having a short conversation with Armin van Buuren last year and he said to me, “Your music is so special; it’s not trance, it’s not house. It’s just so you.” What it means is that you can go really far with what you want to do and that’s the most precious advice because it made me get into music full time.

Whose songs automatically take you back to your childhood?
Bruce Springsteen. My dad was such a huge fan and when I was younger, he took me to Copenhagen for a Bruce Springsteen concert and I was so impressed by it because 30,000 people showed up. From that day on, I knew I wanted to perform in front of people.

What was the first album you bought with your own money?
It was a Carola album. I know it’s cheesy but I was only 11 years old so I didn’t know better.

Words Marlz Photo Iza Ja