Marcus Santoro gives music is 4 lovers an insight on his rework of ‘Haunted’ for WTR

Marcus! Thanks for chatting to Music Is 4 Lovers, how’s your autumn going so far?

Hey guys! Thanks for having me, it’s a pleasure. Actually, over here in Australia we’re right into the heart of Spring at the moment so we’re gearing up for the warmer months ahead and so far it’s been pleasant, and inspiring – I am excited to be able to work on new music whilst enjoying the sunshine!

You’ve revisited your summer single, ‘Haunted’, with a stellar remix package. Could you tell us more about this one and why you decided to rework the record?

‘Haunted’ is a special song to me for many reasons, but mostly because it is the song that I feel has re-defined me as an artist moving forward. I spent the majority of the past 24 months trying to figure out where I want to be as an artist and really find my sound, and when I started working on the demo that eventually turned into ‘Haunted’ I felt like it just made sense, and now here we are!

The original version of ‘Haunted’ is definitely a song that you can listen to on any occasion however I wanted the ability to be able to have another version of the song that pays homage to my signature sound that fans know and love, hence the sunset mix which is the “traditional” Marcus Santoro progressive sound, but with a twist.

Together with Lohrasp Kansara, we have the club mix which is a more tribal/drum influenced take on the song and it certainly works a treat on the dance floor. And we also have an afro-tech remix by rising star Chaleee with his unique take and he certainly took the song and flipped it on its head.

Over the years, you’ve established yourself as one of Australia’s most celebrated DJs; do any notable highlights come to mind which helped push your career forward.

I certainly have a long way to go as there are always new goals to have and new feats to conquer and I’ve had the privilege of being able to do be an active touring artist for well over a decade now. There are a lot of highlights that come to mind but one would have to be signing to Axwell’s legendary Axtone Records, that really cemented my place as an artist to be taken seriously and mainly for me on a personal note that anything is possible if you truly believe in it. Being part of that brand was something I always aspired to do and to tick that off the list was a real proud moment for me.

How does Melbourne’s melodic and Afro House scene compare to the rest of the world? 

I think what Melbourne does exceptionally well is that it stands out on its own and has its own unique culture. Melbourne has first and foremost always been a more underground scene when it comes to dance music, we love a good warehouse rave after all. The melodic and afro scene is still on the rise here I feel at least, but it’s making its mark and I am proud to be an artist who has always been true to my roots.

Are there any tracks you’ve recently had on repeat during sets?

There are many! One of my favourites right now is a song called ’No Bad Vibes’ by Jazzy and KILMANJARO which has exactly what it says. It’s definitely a great party starter and I just love playing it. Another would be my remix of ‘Finally’ by Swedish House Mafia and Alicia Keys, I’ve been testing it out in my recent shows and the response has been nothing but fantastic so that certainly has given me a nod that it’s working so hopefully we see a release for that soon!

Where can we expect to see you performing in the months ahead? Do you have any favourite venues to play at?

I am excited to be heading into the Summer season here in Australia, there are a few dates in the calendar that I’m ecstatic for, including my debut at a few spots such as the Melbourne Cup Carnival’s prestigious Oaks Day and Melbourne’s number one spot Electric. We’re also planning a few dates for international spots however I can’t say too much about that just yet!

Do you have any other upcoming projects you can tell us about?

Good times, good vibes and great moments and LOTS of new music on the way. There are some really unique collaborations with some of my favourite artists that I am loving right now and lots of solo music on the way too. To sum it up, I am ready to showcase everything I am working on with the world soon and I have a feeling 2025 is going to be the best year yet!

Marcus Santoro: Instagram – Soundcloud – Beatport