Contributing Writer
With over fifteen years of industry experience as director of Marmarela, Spanish DJ/producer Alex Now (ES) has been steadily honing his production sound and soared to the top of the charts with his 2023 smash debut ‘Work It Out’ on StereoHype, winning the hearts of heavyweights from David Guetta to James Hype. We caught up with Alex to learn more about his latest release, his studio set up and more.
Hi Alex! Thanks for sitting down with Music Is 4 Lovers. How’s your 2024 been so far?
Hey! It’s a pleasure, guys; thank you for having me! 2024 has started very promising. I have a lot of music already signed on big tracks, going for a follow-up of how I ended last year with my track Veneno, being played everywhere by Fisher and getting a lot of attention on it. My first release of the year, ‘Get Wild’, is a very awaited release for me since I finished it more than one year ago and use it as my intro for my shows.
Tell us about your latest single ‘Get Wild’ on Junior Jack’s Adesso Music. What inspired it, and what was the creative process behind it?
I aimed to create a powerful track capable of captivating the dance floor at any moment during the show, inspired by the success of my previous track, ‘Control.’ This track had been working exceptionally well in my performances. I incorporated similar sounds to maintain continuity, featuring a robust synth and a prolonged build-up leading to the final drop. Initially, I made it as a full instrumental piece, reminiscent of ‘Control.’ However, feeling the desire to enhance it further, I decided to introduce vocals. Recalling a memorable intro from a Jodeci track, I reached out to a singer to record it for me. After incorporating the vocals, the first time I played it live, I was completely convinced that keeping it with that vocal was the right choice.
Can you give us an insight into your studio setup? What piece of equipment do you use the most?
I have a m1 16-inch MacBook Pro connected to a big LG panoramic screen. Only use an Apollo 8 as hardware, and some of their plugins for the mixdown like the Pultec, lexicon and SSL compression. Talking about sounds, at the moment, I’m obsessed with all new expansions from Nexus 4 and VPS Avenger 2 – a bit expensive but so worth it. Also, diva, serum and Omnisphere are a must on my last productions. Can’t forget to mention splice drum shots and vocals for inspiration… this one is so useful.
You’re the director of Marmarela, one of the best clubs in Spain. What can you tell us about this legendary club and its influence on your musical journey?
Marmarela is a truly special club with a unique atmosphere, providing a place to develop a distinct concept and musical programming. When I started as a promoter for my own events, it was a challenge in Alicante due to the city’s limited electronic music culture. However, through hard work and leveraging tourism, we’ve transformed Marmarela into a leading electronic music club in Spain over the past seven years. We’ve booked some of the world’s most significant DJs and new talents in their early stages that have become very famous. Our continuous improvement year after year has been a testament to our dedication and passion for elevating the club’s status. Along with this, I have been growing as a DJ and producer, having the possibility of developing different facets of DJing, especially something that I love: the art of a good warm-up.
As the booking manager, you’ve met and seen many incredible national and international artists play. Is there a DJ in particular who has inspired you?
Well, it is a very complicated question since I try to learn from all the artists that I have booked. But I would say that what I learn the most is on a professional and human level, more than the musical aspects. I can’t say a specific name, but in the end, I book the artists that I think are going to offer a unique experience and are going to leave their mark on the club, and I would say that 90% of them have not disappointed.
What’s the most memorable set you’ve played and why?
Probably a two-and-a-half-hour set, it was the warm-up to Armin van Buuren at a festival in Andorra. It was my first performance since the start of the Covid pandemic, with approximately 5,000 people in attendance. It was an incredibly special experience, filled with all the emotions and excitement one can imagine.
Lastly, what exciting projects have you got lined up for the rest of 2024?
My upcoming release is a collaboration with my friend Dario Nunez on Toolroom, followed by a remix for Sem Thomasson on Hot Fuss. Both tracks are set to be released in March and have already garnered a lot of attention, being played by some important names. Additionally, during the summer, I have two more releases on great labels, but I can’t disclose too many details about them just yet. In terms of shows, I have some exciting dates lined up for March and April. Come May, we kick off the season at Marmarela, promising a fantastic summer, both at home and abroad. Thanks to my recent releases, I’ve been receiving requests from different countries, which truly brings me joy. So, I can’t wait to hit the road and embark on tour this year!
Alex Now’s (ES) ‘Get Wild’ is out now on Adesso Music! BUY HERE
Follow Alex Now (ES):
Facebook – Instagram – Twitter – Soundcloud
