Mark Knight

Mark Knight has forged himself a reputation as one of the foremost house producers on the planet, shaping the scene with his Toolroom imprint.

Mark Knight has forged himself a reputation as one of the foremost house producers on the planet, shaping the scene with his Toolroom imprint. A string of consistently hot productions and skillfully written remixes (from Kylie through to Underworld) have secured ongoing success at the top of the dance charts.  This weekend he makes his first appearance at The Arches in 3 years at Colours 14th Birthday Party, if you haven’t got your ticket yet then we recommend you snap yours up soon to make sure you don’t miss out.  We caught up with Mark ahead of his set to find out what he’s got planned for 2009, what his memories of Colours are and what he would have done if he wasn’t a DJ.

How is life treating you so far in 2009?
Life’s great and very hectic! I’ve just kicked of the first of two new monthly USA residencies, I played Vanguard in LA last week, then I fly back to the States next month to launch my New York residency at Pacha, so really excited about bringing the sound of Toolroom Knights to the states. I’m also starting a radio show that will be syndicated worldwide, lots going on with new productions, and of course the label’s flying. 2009 looks set to be bigger than ever for us with new signings Dirty Vegas & Faithless. 

You’re headlining the Toolroom Knights Arch at Colours 14th Birthday Party, are you looking forward to your first appearance at The Arches in 3 years?
I love playing The Arches, the crowd is insane. I can honestly say that there is not a more up for it crowd anywhere in the world. Getting goose bumps now, thinking about it.

Toolroom Knights made its debut at The Arches in November 2008, are you pleased to bring the brand back again? 
Definitely, the first gig I hear was amazing. We are really happy to be working closely with Colours this year and there isn’t a bigger stage than the birthday party.

The brand had it’s best year to date in 2008, what were the particular highlights for you? 
Wow, there was so many! Obviously the summer in Ibiza was fantastic. Toolroom Knights 2nd birthday at Ministry of sound was off the hook. Toolroom knights at Yalta in Sophia, Toolroom Knights @ ADE, and Toolroom Knights at Cocoon are just some that spring to mind. What has been great is how the night has been so well received all over the world

Can you disclose the plans for Toolroom Knights in Ibiza yet?
What have you got in store? Can’t say too much at the moment, but we will back building from a great first season on the island. Check my myspace  HYPERLINK "http://www.myspace.com/djmarkknight" www.myspace.com/djmarkknight or www.toolroomrecords.com for more info Look out for a big announcement coming soon!!

What producers are doing it for you at the moment?
Do you have any hot tips for 2009?  My tips for 2009 and the guys we are really pushing at Toolroom are Matteo Di Mar, Koen Groenveld, Tim Weeks,  Kim Fai, Adam Shaw and Dataworks  these guys look set to have a fantastic year. 

What annoys you most when you are DJing? 
Not having your technical rider right is the worst. My set is based around having the right equipment. For example if I only have two CDJs my set becomes completely limited. I spend a long time making tools to use whilst playing. Its like a band turning up and the stage manger saying sorry couldn’t get you any drums,…. that going to be ok???!!!! 

Have you ever left a gig with another DJs records by mistake? 
No, but I have nearly left my own in airport lounges on numerous occasions where I have been that tired.

Which is your favourite country to play in? 
That’s a tough one, I would say it’s a toss-up between Bulgaria and America, those countries really work for me musically.

What was the last non-dance music album you purchased? 
Dwele “Sketches Of A Man”. It’s BAD! I am a big neo classic soul fan. House music stops for me soon as I get out the studio. It’s not good to be one-dimensional musically, drawing influence from other genres compliments what your doing in the studio. I am a soul boy at heart.

If you had a day off and could go anywhere in the world, where would you go and what would you do?
To be honest there is nothing better than being home as I spend so much time away, the novelty is not to be traveling but to be at home. 

If you weren’t involved in dance music, what job would you have done? 
I would of like to think I would of played for West Ham helping them win their first ever champions league title, or in construction, which I did a HND when I left school. I am sure it would have been the first!

Finally, if you could trade places with any other DJ for one night, who would it be and why?
Possibly Tony Blackburn, a night dropping 80’s soul classics sounds like heaven to me!!!