Meet Funktastic Maick. DJ resident of La Plancha and Favela, Maick Rodriguez shares his love of music and Bali.
Where are you?
I was born and raised in Tenerife, Canary Islands (Spain). I grew up on a small island that is also a tourist destination.
How did you become a DJ?
I started when I was twelve, thirteen. My sister had a tape recorder and I sneak into his room and play Phil Collins, Madonna, Spandau Ballet and do my little mixtures of this and the radio, too. At that time, my first love was skateboarding. I dreamed of being a professional skateboarder, but I broke my foot. So when I was recovering I focused more on the music thing. I am a turntable and cassette and started making my mixes. When I tried to return to skateboarding my foot gave me so much pain, I realized that I could not continue.
What was your first concert?
When I was fourteen, I started playing at birthday parties, and people always ask my mixed music tapes. Then I started going three times a year in London for 10 days to three months to buy the discs and the clothes I made home for sale. Then I started to play the major parties, which I thought could be better. I started to promote my own party, then called with two other DJs Funk Squad. It was very successful. We were famous in Spain. Funk Squad were parts of 3500 people with alternative music with Rhythm & Blues, Hip-Hop, and Classics. We started in '95, and from 1997 to 2005 we made the parties, festivals and radio shows. For 20 years, I am a DJ. Music is my first love, it really impacts me in a way nothing else. As a DJ, music takes care of me. It allows me to travel and live my dream. I do what I love in places I love.
The so-called success! Tell me about your radio hosting.
I started doing radio because I am interested in sharing music. I organized performances that played a mixture that some people had not heard that a lot, because most radio plays forty hits. I hosted radio shows for fifteen years and online radio towards the end of my days of radio. I've done collaborations with the largest FM station in Spain; Los Cuarenta Principales. I enjoyed it even more radio work than being a DJ because I was playing music I really liked. All the music does not have to be for dancing; I could be generous and impact on listeners with other types of music I like to play. It was a compliment when the audience approached me and thank me for presenting a singer or group that my show was presented to them.
What kind of music do you like and play?
The music I like most is related to all forms of black music. My favorite music is not of this time. I play disco, funk, R & B and hip-hop. Electronic music is OK, but do not move as the music of the 60, 70 and 80. Usually the rhythm tracks are such classics. In these days, I think ninety percent of the musicians were really true artists. It is the music that I respect the most. Today, a guy on a PC can do a song. it may possibly transfer their feelings but it is not the same. I think ninety percent of people pumping to the music today are not artists in . Only about ten percent of the music is made by real artists these days. Most music is made by the music industry for a huge market. It is a product for a huge market. The industry believes that it is cheaper to get a new type and put money in marketing and promotion. When people make music nowadays, they invest in computer equipment and advertising and social networking. Now the music industry is more business and less music. Back in the day, before my time, there was more music and less business. The music was more organic. Some musicians came together and put out great new sounds that are classics today. They worked hard to make. These musicians are still a huge influence. I say I am a mother and a father in the music. My Father is Curtis Mayfield and my mother is Sade! I clearly remember the first time I heard Curtis Mayfield. His music transports me to another kind of life. No other artist also affects me strongly as he. There are still good music and great musicians, but the emphasis has changed. There are many old day that deserves to be played. What touches me most is when people actually play instruments in a band. Music is nowadays like fast food. I call it the fast music; made fast with lots of sugar, not really healthy, not connected to your soul. Even the words of our days do not say much. When hip-hop began tackled social issues. It was a movement. Now it is all about Bentleys, designer clothes, vast areas. It's like selling the rich lifestyle. The original intent of hip hop was to make people think. Now, the strength of this movement has been lost.
What makes a good DJ?
There are two types of DJ. One is the DJ who plays what he really likes and developers call because they want music in particular. The other is the DJ that focuses on the entertainment aspect. In entertainment, you have to adapt to the crowd. I try to be in the middle of these two types; to please the crowd and also share the music that I think should be played. I wish I had the knowledge of the different decades to offer. I appreciate some new tracks but there is not much that is really new. If people like a new track that I respect and I will play for the people. There is a lot of talent there, but there are so many it is hard to find great artists. Thank you to the Internet, we can find new music that is not promoted by the industry, who are not interested in music, but in the profits. It is similar to fast food industries and pharmaceutical. They are not interested in what is healthy, but in making money. The music is powerful. A politician has no authority that a great song or musician can generate!
Why do not you make music?
I respect so much music I prefer to play and promote great music and artists. I respect him too much to do anything wrong, so I let the pros do the music that I love. I am a modest DJ that started with vinyl. I sometimes miss the real contact with vinyl; sensation, scratching. It was heavy luggage though. So the increase is now I have only achieve what is important in my hand!
What led you to Bali?
I wanted to come to SE Asia for years. I went to Europe and the United States. I was so busy. But the West has changed. The economic crisis, the system based on consumption and discard. I became disappointed by the western culture. I sold everything and left everything. I put a few things in a backpack and came to Bali first. After a month my girlfriend and I traveled across Java in Malaysia by train. My girlfriend at the time had a motorcycle accident and broke his foot so we returned to Bali for her to recover. One day we were having dinner here at La Plancha and the owner Gonzalo heard us speak Spanish and came to speak. We became friends and after hearing my experience I played here first for the football game Spain / Italy. Now I help La Plancha and Favela. As a DJ, it's easy for me to contact and book other DJs. Now everyone is happy with the sound here and we'll do the same to Favela. I have such respect for the owners here. They are music lovers. There are so fancy, super modern places here now, but they are not just the soul of La Plancha or Favela. I realize that I have everything I want here. I watch the sunset, play my music. Eat wonderful food at La Plancha, energy, people, music and love. I own nothing, but I have everything! I feel more connected with myself and enjoy life. I plan to be around for a while!
Thank you for the great day of music at sunset ... it's why we all meet daily around La Plancha!