So far Summer has been treating mashup, and DJ veteran Trademark well with a featured ‘Made in America’ playlist via YourEDM and a recent remix for NEW CITY’s “Dirty Secrets.” Trademark does a fantastic job of taking the soulful record by Pop/R&B Canadian producers NEW CITY and creating something airy for Summer, a perfect time for the chilled out synths and strong vocals that are prominent throughout. We imagine sand between our toes, warm nights and flickering fire flies and with Trademarks upbeat touch to the slower original he’s easily created our mental picture. We got a chance to catch up with Trademark about music industry challenges, his process in creating his recent hit, and more. Check it out below.
TMN: What have been some of the more challenging aspects you have faced in music as years have passed? Production wise, booking wise, and general music industry?
Trademark: One of the most challenging aspects has been to balance my mashups and edits against other artists that have been strictly releasing original music. The music industry, especially in electronic music, sometimes has a negative reaction to artists that purely release mashups. It’s a fair point to some degree, but over the last nine years I’ve worked really hard on creating a brand that revolves around combing some of the best music out there into new songs. I’ve been fortunate to be able to work directly with artists and producers who recognize that what I’m releasing can get their music to new audiences, and having their permission to make these mashups is definitely validation that there’s a space for my music in the overall landscape. It’s only gotten more fun to play shows across the country where even if everyone in the room doesn’t know my music, I can surprise people with fresh takes on pop records and big dance tracks.
TMN: Your New City remix made it onto Kaskade’s Konnect playlist, congrats! How does it feel when artists of that caliber pick up your music? Who have been the ones you have ‘fan girled’ over the most when getting recognition for your music?
Trademark: Thanks! It’s always pretty crazy when a big artist gives you support on a track, and Kaskade was definitely one where I had to take a step back and realize how wild that was. For about a month straight, Tiesto was playing a new mashup of mine in each of his Club Life radio shows. Hearing him intro each of my tracks was a big fan girl moment for sure.
TMN: What was your artistic process like when creating the New City Remix?
Trademark: I had been listening to NEW CITY’s other song, “Coachella” before I got the opportunity to remix “Dirty Secrets”, so I already had a lot of ideas about how to work with the record. I wanted to make sure I wasn’t overshadowing the vocals on the verses because they’re so strong on their own, but also give the track really solid percussion and a bouncy bassline. The hook really came out of a natural progression from the verse, adding the vocal chops and some big synths to round out the chorus. I think the finished product has a solid summer vibe to it, something easy to get carried away with making music this time of year.
TMN: I’m sure you’ve acquired more influences as the years have passed, any current artists really motivating you right now?
Trademark: I’ve been listening to a lot of Lost Kings, Elephante, Gryffin, Party Favor, and Cheat Codes. I try and put a lot of melodic elements in my mashups and now in my own productions, so keeping up with those five recently has been a good starting point for me to get inspired about keeping melody in whatever music I’m making.
TMN: You’re very well known for your mashups, mixes etc., is there any original music in the near future from you?
Trademark: Absolutely. I’ve spent a lot of time working on my own productions and remixes over the last few years, getting ready to jump into fully original material. I want to make sure I’m giving my fans the best music possible, and I think everyone will be surprised with some of the new stuff rolling out soon.
TMN: You’ve been DJing since about 2009, how do you keep it challenging? Anything new you’ve learned using the equipment?
Trademark: Every time I play a set I feel like I’m pushing myself to be more unique and creative. In 2009 I was playing long sets at bars or parties, maybe three or four hours at a time. Recently I’ve been playing for an hour or an hour and a half, but I’ve learned a lot from those extended shows about trying to shape my music over the course of a night. I try to never map out what I’m playing because it lets me make decisions on the fly and put together the best possible set. Working with the crowd is super essential to being a good DJ, and you limit yourself if you have a preconceived idea of what people will like.
TMN: What is your best advice on mastering the art of DJing and providing a great show for the crowd for those just starting out?
Trademark: I think everyone will tell you, jumping off of my last point, that you learn new things as you go. The best way to learn is to play as much as possible, and if you can get in front of a crowd that’s even better. I was lucky to have low pressure gigs early on like bars and small parties, but even when it was in front of just a few people, you’re still testing yourself in a live environment. Take every opportunity someone gives you to get out and play music, make those connections, and challenge yourself to do something different and exciting each set.
TMN: What are some things you know now that you wish you had known when you first started out?
Trademark: I’m not sure if there’s a specific set of things I wish I had known when I started, but it’s still amazing that I’ve been able to push this project into 2017 and beyond. The fans that have been there since 2008 have seen a trajectory that has never strayed far off from what I originally was doing. Music changes, but adapting without sacrificing your own vision entirely is a huge part of artists that have lasted a long time in the industry. I try to keep that in mind with everything I’m working on, and especially now with remixes and originals coming out, I want to always give my fans the best music possible.
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