Get acquainted with with the techno DJ and producer, DMCK, in the interview, below.
One EDM: DMCK IS YOUR ALIAS, CAN YOU EXPLAIN IT’S MEANING AND YOUR MUSICAL ACT?
DMCK: My real name is Duncan McKellar, and I used to DJ under my real name but since my productions have taken off I thought I’d come up with a simpler alias. The idea behind it was to make it easy for people to remember, easier to roll of the tongue so to speak and also to make it easier to associate the name with my particular sound of Techno music.
WHO AND WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO FOLLOW YOUR PATH IN MUSIC?
My brother got me hooked on dance music from an early age, seven or eight years old maybe). Back then he would bring home ‘rave tapes’ what we called a mix tape on a cassette format, not sure the younger readers would know what a cassette is these days, lol.
I didn’t know what a DJ was at that age. I used to listen to these tapes on repeat, in awe. As these were live recordings you could really get a feel for the atmosphere, and when the MC would say “DJ Give me a bass drum” and the DJ dropped the sound, the crowd would roar, that’s when I knew I wanted to be this ‘’DJ’’.
These tapes would be live recordings from the rave scene in my home of Scotland. The music was hardcore and gabber and the scene here was unreal thanks to the top DJ’s and producer’s such as: Mallorca Lee (Ultra Sonic), Scott Brown, Mark Sherry, groups like Ultimate Buzz, QFX and last but certainly not least, a good friend, the best producer in the whole dance scene in my opinion, a huge influence and mentor to me, David Forbes!
WHAT WOULD YOU SAY IS YOUR FAVORITE PART OF MAKING MUSIC?
There are few parts that are my favourite i’d say. Firs,t part of making music for me has got to be when I get into the ‘zone’ as I call it, this is where my creative process kicks in and before you know it hours have passed and your track has almost been written.
Unfortunately this doesn’t happen all the time, lol, and I just spend a few days away from the computer to freshen up my ears. But it is a great feeling when everything is just flowing nicely.
The other part I like is the reaction and feedback I receive from strangers on how they are loving the music I’m putting out. This for me is what makes me still want to produce music as we all have days where we question ourselves is it worth it.
Also, the networking side of it. It just shows how powerful music is, and what it means to people as I have met and became friends with people around the world, collaborating and remixing with producers alike.
WHAT IS IT LIKE FOR YOU TO BE A DJ AND PRODUCER?
It’s becoming more and more of a dream coming true. Cliche sounding, I know, lol, but being obsessed with DJing since I was a child to slowly becoming a recognized name in the Techno scene is what I have always wanted and dreamed of. I’ve now joined the BeWorth management agency so hopefully I’ll be earning the ‘DJ/Producer’ title properly like my peers, lol.
WHAT KIND MUSIC STUDIO HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE DO YOU USE?
My studio set up is pretty basic. I use Logic Pro X, Genelec 8010A studio monitors, Alesis Q25 USB Keyboard. The software on Logic I have include Sylenth, Massive, Serum which are my go to plugins. And I use a lot of the plugins that come with Logic.
DO YOU HAVE ANY DREAM DESTINATIONS TO PERFORM AT?
Being a techno head it has to be Awakenings in the Gashouder, I’ve been over as a clubber, and it is amazing. Perfect venue for a techno party! Here in Glasgow, it has to be The Galvanizers yard at SWG3. I have a track in honour of it after all.
WHAT HAS BEEN THE MOST SATISFYING ACHIEVEMENT SO FAR IN YOUR CAREER?
I guess seeing my music getting played around the world, at big named events from Tomorrowland to Awakenings for example and being heavily supported by some of the industries top DJ’s and Producers is very satisfying and a great achievement of course. But, hearing and seeing people you don’t know, when you’re standing at traffic lights for example, and hear/see two guys blasting out ‘The Funky Sound’ from their car with their heads nodding and chanting the lyrics. Only for them to be totally oblivious and not knowing who you are as I stand with a massive grin on my face is pretty special and a great feeling.
BEING A TECHNO DJ AND PRODUCER, WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THE TECHNO SCENE AT LARGE?
I’m liking where the techno scene is at the moment. I think it is strong as ever and still remaining underground even though it has risen in popularity since the EDM boom. There has been a lot of producers from other genres dipping their toes into the techno scene using their influences to combine it with Techno and it’s working and sounding great in my opinion.
