Words-Art Jefferson
Images courtesy of Marien Baker
Armed with charisma, dedication and sounds to rock the big room, DJ and producer Marien Baker is the latest artist to explode onto the electronic music scene. Creating dance floor driven music using the elements of house, techno and electro, the sexy Spanish bombshell and EMI recording artist has played in some of the most respected venues around the globe including Space in Ibiza and London’s Ministry of Sound, just to name a few.
Marien Baker first explored the sounds of house and dance music as a teenager back in her native city of Valencia, Spain. After experiencing the club scene at an early age, Baker then decided it was time to hone her skills on the turntables. By the age of 15 years old, she had already begun making her rounds, spinning in clubs around town and later appeared on guest spots of various radio shows, which increased her exposure and popularity even more.
In 2007, after playing various gigs around Spain, Playboy enlisted her to represent the company for their “Playboy in the House” series and tour. Powerhouse brands such as Armani Exchange, Ferrari, Red Bull and more have also called upon her to play their high end events in different countries.
2011 saw the release of Marien Baker’s single “I Am Everywhere” featuring Anna Gold on the Wildlife label, as well as “Africali” with Nick and Danny Chatelain. She also remixed the chart topping track “You” by Croatian singer Narany.
As the winner of EMI’s “She Can DJ” competition, the major label immediately signed her to their roster. Baker’s debut single “Unbreakable”, a progressive house track featuring Shaun Frank of The Envy, dropped in January 2013 with an album also looking to be released later in the year.
With more club dates lined up, a new video in the works and more studio tracks in the works, Marien Baker is proving to not only be unbreakable but unstoppable.
AJ-For starters, congratulations on being awarded best female DJ by EMI. How did it feel to be awarded that title by a major label?
MB-It has been a beautiful and very enriching personal experience; something I will never forget. And professionally there is a before and after in my career. Up to then, all the efforts I made to support and keep developing my career working in music while trying to make a living out of it, came exclusively from my personal commitment and personal investment. Now I have the support of a great record company, i.e. EMI Music and a great, great team that will surely manage to help me achieve my goals much more quickly.
AJ-Speaking of deejaying, I read that you began getting into club music as a young teenager. Considering that Spain is one of the clubbing capitals of the world, especially with Ibiza, was club and dance music something that was second nature to you?
MB-I was dazzled by nightlife when I first went to a nightclub at 15. I must say that it was actually an early evening session allowing people in as young as me by then. I was just a kid and all that world captivated me. When I was a little girl I used to play the Spanish guitar and sing in the school’s choir. One day I simply found myself making mixes with a couple of cassette tapes and my dad’s turntables. I practised dance for quite a few years and I used to make my own “musical productions” pasting bits and pieces from various songs and arranging them for dance festivals. For me they were just “experiments” that I enjoyed doing. From there I started to work in this business taking up different jobs while combining it with my post at an events company. That led to me getting more and more in the DJ world and one day I bought a Pioneer CDJ 800 and learned myself at home. I also took classes on mastering vinyl deejaying. Thus, and not even realizing it, they gave me my first opportunity.
AJ-I know that you were spinning around Valencia early on. Were you playing mostly progressive house at that time or was it various styles of electronica? What sounds really move the people in Valencia?
MB-I could say that my flag genre is house but it is true that as years pass you opt for shifting to other styles. Nowadays my sets comprise house, progressive house and electro. I’ve always chosen house and all the sub-styles it encompasses. I’ve played deep house, tech house, soulful…adapting to each situation and being driven by my personal likings. What I’ve always liked is to convey power and quality. It is quite difficult to make a good definition, music wise, of Valencia. A few years ago we were the musical point of reference in Spain but now if you bring a great artist to perform in Valencia you might find a half-empty venue. It is not worth it and thus the musical live offering here is dead. Clubs betting on a good live programme organize just one-off events but they do not have a weekly or regular bill. We could say that there are two main and totally different scenes in the Valencia nightlife; the mainstream one and the underground one, totally opposite each other.
AJ-You were selected by Playboy to musically represent the brand at various venues. What was that experience like and what style of club music in your opinion best represented the company, who is known for their sex appeal?
MB-It was an opportunity that came back in 2007 which I took as it lead to me gaining the attention of some of the larger clubs in Spain and ultimately gave me the opportunity to showcase my music to a wider audience.
AJ-You have your single “Unbreakable” which is currently out now on EMI. The track has been getting loads of support. You actually feature Shaun Frank, who is a rock artist with the Toronto band The Envy. How did that collaboration come about?
MB-I’ve always believed that it is important both being a DJ and a producer. I already have a few releases out in the market and a few more that I did last year that might never get to be released. Since having won the ‘She Can’ DJ contest I’m considering starting from scratch with the style that it suits me best.
We have released my first single under the EMI label. I wanted this single to feature male vocals, for it to be different, more rock, indie style. I liked the idea of blending those kind of vocals with electronic music. Thinking about rock bands that I liked, I chose The Envy, a band from Gene Simmons’ (Kiss singer) record label. I loved the voice of the band’s singer Shaun Frank, so we started to work out the collaboration as he had never done anything with electronic music and this was the first time he was attempting something different. The final outcome is “Unbrekeable”, an incredible track with a lot of energy and lyrics about the desire of overcoming. I have connected really well with Shaun and we are just sharing thoughts on more music and maybe we do more exciting projects in the short future.
AJ-These days there are tons of people who want to make it as a DJ and producer. When I look at an artist such as you, there is the energy, charisma and that overall star appeal. In your opinion, what makes a really good DJ and what are some bits of advice that you can give to those who are trying to reach that higher level of success?
MB-There are a number of aspects and skills that every would-be-DJ should have in mind, i.e. technical skills, attitude, ability to connect with the public, dedication, and image. It is a very nice professional world but there is a lot of competency. The path is long and you need to work hard. Nobody will give you anything. You have to be honest; sometimes luck comes in and it does help also. It takes talent as well as willingness and effort, because if you have no talent, no matter how hard you try, you will never achieve a good professional level. So, go for it all!
AJ-At this point, you’ve played in front of crowds in the thousands, traveled around the world, represented some of the biggest brands such as Armani and Ferrari, signed a major label deal and there is more to come. What’s next for you in the coming months?
MB-This seems to be a very interesting year. We started the “Marien Baker” project as a new EMI artist and I have already released my first single with the label. We are currently immersed in the promotion and shooting a video clip. The single is getting big attraction from the main radio stations so I’m super excited about it. Now I’m absorbed in the studio preparing my next tracks and my first artist album where I aim to capture all my musical curiosity and ideas that I have in mind. This is surely going to be an intense year as for the amount of material we will be putting out. We are all looking forward, both EMI and my team, to do many things together.
On the short term I intend to keep making a living with this and on the long term I aim to reach a great audience. I wish to become a great artist and for my music to travel the whole world.
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