Housemaster Demarkus Lewis ‘is about to drop his ‘About U’ release on Eyedyllic Music with Erefaan Pearce and Mik Santoro remixes so we took the opportunity to put him through our quick-fire Q&A.
Why music?
Music is life.
If you weren’t making music what would you be doing?
Dying.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
Never lie to the music.
What inspires you?
Struggle.
What’s the next big thing?
Sampling 90’s House records.
Best club experience?
Lil Louie Vega & Jazzanova Berlin 2008.
What’s the worst job you’ve ever had?
Warehouse shipping plant.
How do you know when a track’s finished?
A track is never finished.
What was your last day job and when did you realise you could give it up?
Uber Driver and Covid 19.
Which song do you wish you wrote?
Every other song I play in my DJ sets.
What’s the easiest way to make it in the music industry?
Realizing there isn’t an easy way to make it in the music industry.
What’s the worst track you’ve ever released?
My first release in 1999 …horrible.
Recommend us a film.
It’s All Gone Pete Tong (The scariest movie I’ve ever seen).
Recommend us a book.
Last Night a DJ Saved My Life.
What or who is underrated?
Glenn Underground.
What or who is overrated?
Nina Kravitz
What are you addicted to?
Making Music.
What do you lust over?
Knowledge.
What is your greatest regret?
Not getting a college degree.
What one thing would most improve your life?
Proper time management.
What’s the worst gig you’ve ever played?
The first gig I played in 199 … I was so nervous.
Collaboration: rich creative experience or pain in the ass?
Pain in the ass.
What’s the secret to a great mix?
Having a trained ear that’s locked into your mixing room.
If you could only listen to one more track, what would it be?
George Duke – ‘Brazilian Sugar’.
How do you relax?
Smoke the tree of life and PS4.
What one piece of software/kit could you not do without? Why?
Ableton Live with the Push 2.
Art or money?
Art.
Strangest place you ever wrote a track?
Pub in London.
Must-visit record store?
Bill’s Records (Dallas) in the 90’s and Hot Jams (Chicago).
What’s your single biggest frustration in the music industry?
Money model is ridiculous for the amount of work artists put in.
What’s your favourite label? Why?
Grin Music because its my label I guess.
What’s the worst thing about making music?
Not being able to do it 24 hours a day.
What’s your motto?
Stay House.
Name something timeless.
The 90’s 16T swing.
Tweet us a tip. What’s the best production advice you can give in 140 characters or less?
Never get wrapped up in trying to match everything up as you hear it in your head. Always let the tracks form organically without bias and always write for yourself and never to what you think others want to hear.
Complete this sentence: At heart I’m just a frustrated…
…starving artist.
Can music change the world?
Yes.
What are you listening to right now?
My new track I’m working on called ‘Well I Mean’.
What should you do before you die?
Live in a different country from the one you were born in!
‘About U’ by Demarkus Lewis with Erefaan Pearce and Mik Santoro remixes is released on the 18th December on Eyedyllic Music.
Hot Jams photo from @djmarkfarina.