This month as PUZZLE PROJECT reaches the grand old age of 6; we have a seriously special guest for your aural pleasure!

A true UK Psychedelic Trance producer that almost needs no introduction.... LIQUID RECORDS 'golden boy' the hugely energetic BEATNIK.

With releases on such labels as LIQUID, DACRU and NANO Recs and even a track featured on John 00 Fleming's 'Psy Trance Euphoria - Vol 2; with performances just about everywhere; including SYNERGY PROJECT, TRIBE OF FROG, HALCYON, ILLUMINAUGHTY, WAVEFORM & GLADE festies it's certainly not going too badly for the 23 year old!

Read more: BEATNIK Interview – Puzzle Project '6th Birthday' – 30th September 2011

Here it is – the grand unveiling of our superstar guest Dj for our massive 6^th Birthday celebrations!  Well we’re all covered for house and trance for our big bash, and even the mighty Phil Lankester can’t provide ALL the psy for one party so of course we felt we should bring in a psychedelic legend to assist our more than incredible resident.

 

Puzzle Project are incredibly proud to bring you….

 

BEATNIK!

Liquid Records wonderkid Beatnik will be tearing up the 414 floor at our birthday party and it’s hard to say how excited we are about that.  With releases on the likes of Ministry of Sound, Streamline and the mighty Liquid, and gigs in Brazil, Europe and across the UK, yet again Puzzle punches well above its weight in bringing big room DJs to the intimate surrounds of the 414!  Expect a combination of many elements: from funky, cheeky electro edged grooves, via full-on darker sounds and structures, to filmic, epic soundscapes.  All of course delivered with an energetic and fun loving performance that will get you moving like nothing else!

 

There it is – one more reason you CANNOT be the missing piece!

 

Interview with Mark Landragin ahead of Puzzle Project this Saturday!

Puzzle Project's Ali Cantor caught up with Mark Landragin for a few cheaky questions ahead of this saturdays party!

Hey Mark thanks for taking the time to answer some questions. Well, it seems to have been a pretty fantastic year for you – can you tell everyone a little bit about what you’ve been up to in the past year?

Well in the past year I've had some really enjoyable gigs which have included making my international debut headlining the Wasaga Beach Dance Music event in Ontario, Canada as well as playing on the Electronicsessions NYE boat party playing straight after Jon O'Bir. On the Production front I've been making some progress and have had 3 tracks released - 'In Between Two', 'One Hour Journey' with James Rae and 'Boom or Bust' which was supported by Above & Beyond.

Gigwise, you played closing set at the massive Paul Van Dyk London warehouse party last year. How did that feel? Those are some big shoes to fill….
It was a set that you can only dream about when you first get into DJing. On the dance floor there were people as far as the eye could see and I had a lot of support from many of my friends who were there in attendance. I felt bit of pressure coming on after someone of Paul Van Dyk's stature, however as soon as I hit the decks, I felt totally relaxed. I played a driving Trance style which I thought would keep people energized as the night drew to a close.



That’s a huge booking, how did you come about to land a dream set like that?
I contacted the main promoter Paul Jack to see if there was any sets that might be available and credit to Paul he was willing to listen to my mixes give a local DJ a chance. Originally I was going to be playing the warm up but a couple of days before the event things changed and I was asked to play the closing set which was even more ideal.

Your new trance party, Trance Sanctuary, has been making some massive waves on the London scene. Can you tell us how that came about, how things have been going and your plans for the future direction of the party?
Trance Sanctuary is run by Malu Salvagno, Alex Hancock and myself and it has definitely over exceeded our expectations so far. Although there are some great Trance parties in London such as Puzzle Project, Spangulation and Electronic Sessions, we just wanted to get even more of a Trance fix. So we decided to make our events daytime, bi-monthly and with the aim of booking up and coming acts. Ferry Tayle and Will Holland will headline our next event on Saturday 24th September and we really hope there will be another cracking atmosphere.

There have been a number of new trance nights that have popped up on the London trance scene, which for some time has been seen by many as slowing down a little. What are your views on the strength of the house and trance scene in London, and what do you think the future holds for the capital’s club lovers?
I think the London Trance scene is at its strongest point for a few years now which is encouraging. In recent times Armin Van Buuren and Above & Beyond have packed out the Brixton Academy and a few new parties have successfully launched such as Trance Sanctuary and Futurity. So there is a lot more choice than there was a couple of years back which can only be a good thing as then it helps raise the standards.



We’ve mentioned a few of your previous gigs above – but you’ve played for many nights including Electronic Sessions and the mighty Gallery. What’s been your most memorable set? We think we MAY know the answer to that one so feel free to give us a couple!
Yes as you implied my set on Paul Van Dyk's tour as well as my international debut out in Canada were particular highlights. Also making my main room debut at The Gallery, Ministry of Sound was a something I had always aspired to do so that was a satisfying experience.

You’ve also started to crack on with production, any exciting news on that front?
As I mentioned before it was great to get the support of the likes of Above & Beyond, Menno De Jong, M.I.K.E and Daniel Kandi for my last track 'Boom or Bust'. I will have two new tracks to play at Puzzle Project including my latest collaboration with James so I'm really excited to be giving them a test run.

Any tips for production rookies who are looking to get into making their own tunes?
I’ve always found some of the great video tutorials that are available on the Internet are always a good source of information so I would recommend taking a look at those on youtube. Also once you have made your track, try and get someone to play it out on a club sound system. Then you can hopefully gage the crowds reaction and see what works and maybe what doesn’t. For instance having played out my track 'In Between Two', I realised that the break down was a little too long. Once I shortened it, I found that it helped maintain the energy on the dance floor even better than before.



You’re well known for playing the whole range of house, tech and trance. Can you pinpoint a favourite genre, and what do you like about each of the different styles you play?
I am a big fan of both House and Trance in mostly its uplifting form. So uplifting ‘Hands in the air’ Trance is what I first feel in love with and I still feel most passionate about now. Currently my favourite producers are Super 8 & Tab, Estiva and Alex M.O.R.P.H. On the house front I’ve played some big sets playing Deep, Tech and Progressive House but the majority of those tunes would have to have some sort of influential breakdown and build up. On the house front my favourite producer is Pryda (Eric Prydz).

And what can the Puzzle Project crowd expect from you?
I like to think that I show my enjoyment behind the decks so hopefully you will see an energetic DJ and an energetic style of uplifting/driving Trance. As I mentioned before I intend to play some of my new productions as well as dropping a few classics.



Thanks, we can’t wait – we’ll see you down the front on the 30th. To finish things off we’ve got a few quickfire questions for you….

Loaf or baguette?
Baguette

Bacon – crisp or soggy?
Soggy English style

The most disgusting thing you’ve ever seen with your own eyes?
A poor bloke on that programme called Embarrassing Bodies had a tumor that went from his stomach down to his feet and the skin had gone yellow/green colour at the bottom. It certainly put me off my food!

You were happiest when……?
I’m behind the decks and seeing the crowd going mad to a tune that I am playing.

Childhood fear?
Coming into contact with snakes!

Ideal superpower?
To be able read people’s minds. How life would be so much easier.

Dream holiday?
Driving around America starting from the east coast, to the west, stopping off in Vegas and winning some money!

Dream DJ set?
Main room at Cream in Amnesia, Ibiza.

Favourite DJ?
Jon O’Bir

All time classic tune?
DJ Tiesto – Suburban Train

Top three weapons in your CD wallet right now?
Mark Landragin – Boom or Bust
Above & Beyond – A Thing Called Love (Extended Album Mix)
Daniel Kandi – Soul Searching

Ali Wilson interview & LIVE set from Sunrise Festival Poland to download ahead of Puzzle Project

You can download this his LIVE set recorded from the Sunrise Festival in Poland this June from http://www.puzzle-project.com and go to Mixes!!

Interview by Ali Cantor

Mr Wilson! How’s tricks?

I’m good thanks mate! :o)

Thanks for taking the time to answer some questions. Well, it seems to have been a pretty fantastic year for you – can you tell everyone a little bit about what you’ve been up to in the past year?

This year has been really busy, lots of great gigs and lots of finishing my album and remixing for the likes of Tiesto & Armin.

.Gigwise, warming up for Tiesto at Brixton Academy must have been right up there – that’s pretty big time! How did this booking come about and what was it like?

Read more: Ali Wilson Interview & LIVE set from Sunrise Festival Poland to download!