Together, Oscar Gaetan and long-time friend and production partner Ralph Falcon form Murk, one of the most celebrated and accomplished production outfits ever to grace house music. With infrequent output and fastidious attention to detail, a Murk record is a rare thing, but this year under the guise of Intruder they delivered one of the year's most unequivocal dancefloor anthems in 'Amame'.
With the record out now on Defected, we caught up with them to discuss the track, production methods and the changing landscape of Miami.
Growing up in Miami you started out in as hip-hop DJs… what prompted the switch to house music?
We were not strictly hip-hop DJs, we played electronic dance music. It wasn't a switch but more of a transition into house. There was no house music to speak of when we first started out DJing as kids. We were into everything from Kraftwerk to 2 Live Crew. We started to see house music trickle into our local record stores in the late 80s. It wasn't long before we fell in love. House music, in the right environment, can touch the soul.
You’ve cited groups like Blaze and Ten City as influencing what you do…what did you learn from them?
They influenced us as songwriters. They write beautiful songs and put together great albums. People forget how musical and soulful house music can be. These guys are a great reminder of that.
‘Amame’ was the buzz track in Ibiza this year…why do you think it was embraced by so many DJs and clubbers?
In a world of glorified bonus beats, half decent songs really shine!
Intruder (A Murk Production) featuring Jei by Defected Records
The tone to some Murk productions – Amame in particular – is quite dark… is this a intentional direction or did it just turn out like that?
We have a very precise method. We hang out for a few hours and do everything but work on music, and most of the time that is where the sessions end. Then, on occasion, we spend a few minutes on music. Rinse, repeat, add darkness...
Intruder was the first alias you used on the Murk label and you’ve said that revisiting it signifies a new beginning…what have you got planned?
We are re-releasing the entire Murk catalogue on vinyl with B-side remixes from some of our favourite producers and friends. We have a few original songs that we are finishing up as well to be released on Murk Records.
Track like ‘Reach for Me’ that were produced 20 years ago are still sounding fresh today…what’s your secret?
Song writing, and the fact that we are blade runners.
You’ve remixed some pretty big pop stars in your time – Madonna included…when you take on projects like that do you have to compromise some of your artistic expression or are you pretty much given carte blanche?
Most of the remixes we have done are with the understanding that we would not be open to criticism or notes from the label. This has always allowed us to take chances and deliver more honest stuff for the most part. On the other hand, sometimes we have taken fat checks and dealt with ultra-opinionated A&Rs who want to break music down to algebra equations. We have, on various occasions, received a long list of specific notes and changes from A&Rs on a remix project and then turned around and sent them back the same exact mix… then listened to them tell us how much better it is with they're changes.
As locals, what are your thoughts on the WMC? Obviously it’s changed considerably from what it started out as…many would say in a negative way. Is it still a legitimate place to do business or have the parties completely taken over?
The parties have completely taken over. Is that a bad thing?
You once said that once Junior Vasquez had played your records at Sound Factory you felt like you could retire. That was back when you were about 20… have you ever thought about retiring since?
We've been too busy trying to pay the rent to give retirement any more thought. The minute we have time we will give it some serious consideration though. This making music and playing records thing isn't too bad in the meantime.
What motivates you to continue up your game with each record or remix?
We try not to force the issue. We work when inspired and only go with things we feel strongly about. Objectivity in the studio is always a big thing for us. We are able to be very honest with each other and end up with a unique result that we don't get on our own.
Anything else you’d like to tell us about..?
In 2012 we will be doing a series of events to celebrate 20 Years of Murk Records. Stay tuned.
Amame is out now - buy on DStore and Beatport
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www.twitter.com/MurkRecords
