Today we caught up with Spainish DJ/Producer AFFKT
Marc Martinez Nadal, aka AFFKT, has been a driving force behind a colourful & empowering sound that is refined by his drive for perfection. Having worked on coining the sound of this alias since 2008, it has been a plethora of sound, place, person & culture that has provided a platform for him to experiment with his output.
AFFKT has served electronica crossover masterpieces that delve into the many sub-genre’s of house music via key imprints such as Suara, and his very own Sincopat label whilst also expressing versatility delivering heart-stopping, engaging techno on the likes of Kling Klong & Noir Music.
Introduce yourself in a few sentences.
I am Marc also known as AFFKT, and I am music producer, DJ, Sound enginneer and label manager from Valencia, Spain.
Is there a story behind your artist name?
My first manager told me once that I should change my name, but considering how many times I have been asked the same question as you, I think I did not make a mistake in choosing it.
There used to be a story, the desire to make music beyond hype and styles. But for me now the story of the name is defined by my discography, my life experience and what I have been able to live with this AKA, if you listen to my music from the beginning until now, it’s all part of a story that is AFFKT.
Do you have any other aliases past or present?
I had so many different alias in the past, I haven been doing and playing music for a while. I wasdoing Drum & Bass for a long time along my soulmate Ibrah under the name of Malsum. Then I had other names as Renace, You & Oui or One Hand (Both along Darlyn Vlys), to name a few.
What first sparked your interest in creating music?
I think the thing that impressed me the most in the past when I started producing music was the ability to be able to be all one man, to be in a way a one-man band.
I felt the need to capture my ideas and thoughts in something abstract and without a doubt, producing music hooked me from the very first moment.
Name three artists who inspire your sound.
Damon Jee, Darlyn Vlys and Upercent.
Tell us about your first performance opportunity and how it fueled your passion.
I think the first time was at a rave party in the late 90’s, I was very nervous, I just remember that, but in the end I enjoyed it a lot once I calmed down.
I got so caught up in the energy of the people and so full of life that of course I became addicted to it as well.
What is your favorite piece of equipment in the studio?
At the moment my Moog One.
What piece of kit is on your wishlist?
Vertigo VSM-3 hardware.
What’s your thoughts on sampling?
Do you mean real sampling, like Dj Shadow for example, or the use of Loops and their use without any taste and skill. Regarding the first thing, it is a real art, and on the second one, from my point of view, the use of samples without any kind of processing or work that leads you to turn it into something new and of your own seems to me to lack artistic value.
Are there any labels you frequently feature in your sets/playlists?
Pets, Polaris, Multinotes, DSK, …
How do you nurture your industry relationships?
As an artist I try to surround myself by people who have an honest and genuine message to spread.
Music has allowed me to meet very interesting people who have enriched me personally and professionally. So of course and from my point of view it is something I try to take care of.
What excites you about club or festival culture?
I am fascinated by both, I think it is an exercise in celebrating life. At the end of the day it has a lot to do with a ritual in the sense that people connect with each other and their surroundings when they dance.
Share your favourite clubbing memory.
There are so many that I can’t keep just one. Any sunrise after leaving a club is usually a memorable one.
How would you encourage emerging artists wanting to break through?
I would tell them to try to find their own unique and personal sound, which is something easy to say but not so easy to achieve, so I would also tell them not to give up, to work hard and most importantly to enjoy the journey.
Share something unknown about you.
I don’t know if there’s anything left that you don’t know about me after so many interviews, haha. My favorite food is pizza and Lebanese food 🙂
Provide an outlandish rider request (be creative).
The truth is that I don’t usually ask for anything strange or extravagant in my artist rider. But to ask for something different I would say, a massage or even a Yoga session before playing would be awesome!
Describe yourself using a famous quote.
This is a very difficult one…
You’ll never find a rainbow if you’re looking down (Charles Chaplin)
Which song do you wish you’d written?
Radiohead – Creep
Name three tracks you couldn’t live without.
Supertramp – Babaji
NOFX – Don’t Call Me White
AIR – All I Need (feat. Beth Hirsch)
Music is… (explain more)
Is for is me the need to express something absolute that cannot be explained in words.
Tell us about your plans for 2024.
News EPs coming along this year for Stil Vor Talent, Pets and of course Sincopat. Plus travelling and playing around the world, taking mine and Sincopat’s music wherever I go.
And to finish setting up my new studio room inside the Pobla Studios, which I think will be an extremely creative place.
