The long-time producing DJ Markus Schulz has had a dizzying year. He’s been nominated for five International Dance Music Awards and been voted “Best American DJ.” However, Markus is not one to sit on his laurels. Aside from running his widely successful Global DJ Broadcast radio show that reaches millions every week, he’s leading the way at his seven year old imprint, Coldharbour Recordings, one of the most respected trance and progressive labels out right now.
Markus’ story begins in Germany. “I was born in Germany but I moved to the US when I was 13. I still speak fluent German, but my vocabulary only goes up to the age thirteen, which means that in interviews in Germany I must come across as a bit stupid.” As the 90s started to pick up speed, Markus began DJing gay clubs, as they were the only venues where he could play his underground tracks. Expanding his talents, Markus moved to the Las Vegas where the rave scene was fully embracing the German techno in his crate.
For the past decade, Markus has crafted and fine-tuned his multiple trance and house music identities. His most notable identity may be his Dakota alias, which is his outlet for darker, deeper and more progressive sounds as seen on the Thoughts Become Things albums. His more recent identity is with fellow tranceman Ferry Corsten as the New World Punx. The name derives from Ferry Corsten’s massive anthem, “Punk,” and Markus’ hit, “The New World.”
One of the things we love about Markus is his fan-coined nickname the “unicorn slayer,” which describe his signature hard-driving productions. He briefs us on the nick-names history in an interview, “By ‘unicorn,’ people mean tracks with really fluffy melodies. I don’t do this; I’m more into square waves and pitch bends. Somebody tweeted a while ago, ‘Markus Schulz: the unicorn slayer of trance.’ I retweeted it and it trended. Then people started showing up at gigs with ‘unicorn slayer’ T-shirts. When I played at Avalon in Hollywood there was a giant life-sized unicorn with a gogo dancer on top!”
If you’re ready to slay some unicorns, then make your way to Sun City Music Festival coming to Ascarate Park this Labor Day weekend on August 31st and September 1st. Buy your tickets today!
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