Mary Mac, Can

Ottawa, Can

Mary Mac Interview October 2003
Interviewed by Somsay.

Mary Mac Profile

Age: 25

Height: 5'10

Weight: You shouldn't ask a lady her weight!

Average heart beat per minute: 140-160

Fingernail length: short

Bed time: 5am

Colour of hair: Red

Favourite Pop Song: Daniel Bedingfield, Gotta Get Through This

All-time Favourite Breakbeat Chune: Perception, Aquasky vs. Masterblaster
(Autobots remix)

Favourite Band: Beastie Boys

Favourite Models: Christie Turlington, Tyson Beckford

Favourite Monsters: EEK! monsters.



The Interview

How long have you been djing for and how did you get started?
2 years in December, started playing prog @ a friends' house after big parties.

Describe your taste in breakbeat?
Eclectic - I'm all over the map.

Do you find people are supportive of you because you are a female dj?
Yes and no.

What do other girls think of you?
You'd have to ask em.

What do you think guys think of you?
Same deal.

Do you believe breaks can be big one day or it will always be an underground
form of music?
It's already big. It's in every car commercial, computer
commercial...

What are you future plans for breakbeat?
Continue pushing it until people drop their preconceptions that they don't like breaks, and realize that they really love it!

Who is your favourite breakbeat producer and why?
Aquasky vs. Masterblaster - they play with different sounds, they also produce d&b so it has that UK flavour I'm big on, and they're constantly putting out a nice variety of music.

Do you produce or plan on producing?
I plan to start. If I don't start soon, a certain limey will come after me and kick my ass.

Can you describe your current dj mix (the one for your interview)?
Visitation Rights - Live in Halifax. This is a mix from the first time I
played in Halifax, that starts off funky, and moves in various directions.
The crowd moved with me and had a fantastic time.

You must have your own bunch of dude-dj-girl groupies...whats goin on with
that?
Last time I played in Toronto a bunch of 17 & 18 yr old guys were asking for my autograph. It was pretty cute!

Where is your favourite place to dj so far?
Halifax.

Any funny stories to tell about a past gig?
My first gig at Aria(Montreal).. oh god. I was playing after Uberzone, who were doing a live PA. Uberzone finished their set 15 minutes early (as i had 1 foot on my way into the dj booth). It was a mad scramble to find my phones, first record, look at the setup... records were flying everywhere, there was dead silence. Sase One was hyping the crowd up, I found my first record, and started! One problem: the monitors weren't working on the setup I was playing on. I had to mix from one setup to one about 5 feet down the DJ booth to switch to where I had monitors.. it wasn't a happy start. We can laugh about it now though.

So recently came from a gig from out east in Halifax, Canada...what's going
on there?
People who like to party, and lots of em!

How is the scene?
It's different! I found in Hali the people are so greatful for an afterhours event, it doesn't really matter what *type* of music is playing, as long as it keeps them dancing they have a good time.

Whats going on in your hometown, Ottawa?
FRESH, my club night is always goin on.

Is there a scene?
A little one

How big is it?
Not so much

What does your dj studio consist of?
My computer, 2 techs, a gemini mixer (I think its about time for a new one)

How many breakbeat records you have now in you personal collection?
Hmm...since they're all over my living room, a rough estimate would be 5 or 6
crates?

Do you drink allot?
Occasionally I can be found to consume alcohol...

Whats your favourite brew?
Guinness, Bavaria or Rye & ginger

Where do you think breakbeat is going?
I think it's moving into the mainstream, as is most "underground" music.

What was your favourite dj gig and why?
My second time in Halifax - 550 people were there, rocking it to breaks. It was pretty stellar.

What other types of music do you listen to?
Punk, hard rock, d&b, hip hop

Did you ever go to a music school?
Sort of? I took piano lessons for 10 years. Played a wide variety of instruments (piano, flute, clarinet, alto sax, trumpet, xylophone)

What advice can you offer to other aspiring female djs?
Only do it if it's for the love of the music. Any other motives and you'll wind up
disappointed. I love my music, I don't mind that it's not hugely popular right now.

How long did it take you to learn to beat-match?
About 5 sessions

Are you ever nervous while djing?
Once in a while! I get more nervous if there's no one there than if there's a crowd.

What projects are you currently working on?
Moving (uggh), and I just finished getting my website up, www.djmarymac.com

What do you think of Canada?
Canada rocks.

What do you think of the US?
Hoping to get some gigs there in the near future.

Who is your favourite dj and why?
Claus from 2Sinners was a big inspiration for me.. I adopted my current mixing style (crossfader steez) from watching him when I first started mixing.

What do you think of these questions?
There's a load of em.

Mary Mac words of wisdom:
Never let em see you sweat.

Mary Mac Shout outs:
Big up Kellett and my FRESH crew that keep letting me do what we do, my sponsor Triple 5 Soul, Underdog Productions in Halifax, Urban Fuel Halifax, Norml Clothing Ottawa, DNA Records Montreal.

Cheers,
Mary Mac, BBE (BreakBeat Empire)