Marco Bailey has been blasting beats and tweaking knobs since the heyday of punters' passions. This Belgian's fifteen year track record (puns intended) of producing and slinging out banging techno tunes proves the sticking power of pumping, raw rhythms. With constant gigs, a radio show and an everlasting stream of releases from his record label featuring the genre's biggest, baddest names, Bailey has already secured his place in the techno history books. He drops down in Beijing this Friday, March 13th, at Tango. The O2Culture folks caught up with Marco to tap his thoughts about dragons, downtime and his Beijing debut.

You've been touring in Asia for the last 10 years, but how many times have you been to China?

I played in China only once -- four years ago at Face Club in Guangzhou -- so I am looking forward to rock it this time in Beijing!

We see you have a dragon tattoo, a symbol to which Chinese people feel very connected. What's your impression of China?

China has a special culture. Actually, the whole of Asia attracts me in many ways. The dragon is a part of it, like "the good dragon" and the "dance of the dragon."

Let us hear about your label, MB Elektronics. Any upcoming release info?

We just had "The Advent" release, which did really well. Then, myself & Tom Hades, my studio partner, put out "Jail Signal." We also released an album together last year, called "E=mb2." This month, my label puts out a new single from Legend -- Joey Beltram from the USA -- with a remix of my work. Finally, there's the 50th release on my label, "Musika," featuring remixes from Pig & Dan and Nic Fancuilli.

So lots of stuff [is going on]. I get promos almost every day to release on my label, but we have to focus really well and make some strict selections regarding what to release in order to keep the quality as good as possible.

What kind of music do you usually listen to at home? Dance music or something else?

I am working almost seven days a week with the label, the gigs, traveling, airports, etc., so there rest not so much time to listen to music at home.

When I am at home and I end working in the Studio very very late at night, I mostly need rest peace. I'll take a sauna or go have a rest.

Otherwise, I am really a fan of things like Boards of Canada or Autechre on Warp Records. I listen regularly in the car or at home. It's just great music! No techno at all!

Any particular places that you are interested in or come to mind when you think of China?

Well, I would love to see Shanghai; it's the most high tech city in the world, I've heard. And, of course, I also look forward to the capital, Beijing!

Do you have a message to your fans waiting to hear you play at Tango in Beijing?

Party people, let's rock it and make some big time fun!

DETAILS
Marco Bailey at Tango, Friday, March 13, 9pm, ¥60