Releasing "The Sad Piano" on Ben Watt's Buzzin' Fly label immediately sent Justin Martin's music across the spectrum of dance, making waves with A List DJs like Derrick Carter and Pete Tong who often played the track as well as receiving rave reviews from the international music press. For Justin Martin, he really could not have hoped for a more successful first record, striking gold and establishing himself on the dance scene.
Alongside fellow San Franciscan producer Claude VonStroke, the pair were heavily involved with the early days of dirtybird records, appearing on its first lot of releases. Having developed his unique sound through a number of solo EPs, Martin had gained the respect of his peers and was quickly looking like becoming one of the most popular house DJs in the world.
In 2010, he was invited by Pete Tong to create a DJ mix for his famous, regular "Essential Mix" series, bringing Martin to a wider audience. His appearance on the front cover of DJ Magazine equally helped raise his profile. Releasing more solo EPs on dirtybird, Martin gained critical acclaim from a number of music media outlets, with his singles "Mr Spock" and "Lezgo," the latter becoming a big hit and fixture on many DJ's playlists that year (2011).
Alongside his solo productions, Martin also formed a duo with his brother Christian, as The Martin Brothers, creating hip hop influenced tracks, with hits including "Duckface," "Dum" and "Stoopit." Martin has also established himself as having a quality ability to remix, re-envisioning classics such as Radiohead's "Nude" and TG's "Revox," garnering further attention in the dance music scene.
His debut album, "Ghettos & Gardens" was released in 2012, alongside a number of successful singles in support of the album. SInce this success, he has become an internationally sough after DJ, performing at places such as Panorama Bar in Berlin, Fabric in London and Space in Ibiza.
Mark Farina was born on 25 March 1969 in Chicago, Illinois, and developed an interest in house music in 1988 when he met Derrick Carter at a record store. He started to experiment with songs that weren’t being played in the underground clubs, such as De La Soul and disco classics, while also playing with the “purist forms” of house music. Eventually he developed a trademark style known as Mushroom Jazz, which incorporates acid jazz with west coast jazz with a little bit of urban beats.
Farina started to gain a solid following, and started to play regularly together with Patty Ryan at a nightclub in San Francisco, California. Despite the fan following, the club that Ryan and Farina played nightly in had closed, leading to Farina releasing albums of his songs. The resulting records were a series entitled “Mushroom Jazz” which included a total of seven within the series. Farina also continued to travel internationally to perform his live sets for his fans; in fact, he has had some shows that have been known to go for eight hours. Farina has also been known to play multiple rooms in one club or party. Additionally, Farina also released twelve other records including both studio recorded and live recorded performances.
An unhealthy obsession with pizza isn't all that Justin Martin should be known for. He's also the co-label boss of American label Dirtybird which he runs with Claude Von Stroke. And a bloody good techno and house music producer who gives equally brilliant DJ sets. Releases such as 'Don't Go' which you may know through the Dusky remix, 'The Gettup' a collaboration with Bristol's Eats Everything and 'Ruff Stuff' go down a storm whenever they are dropped during his hotly anticipated, heavily attended DJ sets. Lots of bass and head-bopping and smiles come from behind the decks when he plays. I had missed him on several occasions while he was on tour around the UK so you can imagine how excited I was when I saw him play TWICE IN ONE DAY at Hideout festival. The first time, performing at a pool party, he provided the set of the day dropping tracks from the Dirtybird lebel back catalogue as well his own productions. Shiba Shan's 'Okay' and Second City's 'I Enter' are highlights with a building bass beat on each. Later, during an evening set at Aquarius club, it's just as good, this time reaching a one in, one out attendance policy while the lucky fans who get in are on each others and shoulders shuffling away throughout. Unexpectedly, on the last day of Hideout, we found ourselves observing Shy FX's genre-bashing set, with Justin Martin raving away practically next to us!
Mark Farina is amongst the best House Music Djs as he has been playing sets in clubs since the early 90's. He is originally from Chicago, so he provides those deep house roots, and now he resides in San Francisco, CA where he has gained musical influences to perfect his style.
When you first step into a club where Mark performs, it's an enlightening and invigorating experience. You hear all these sounds and you just immediately feel like you have to dance. It's what a house music club should be like. If you are in LA, he usually plays at underground places but still gets the word around those in the mix.
He is usually at KING KING in Hollywood, or DTLA warehouses, he sometimes plays in the OC as well. The bass is bumping every time, and it's so GOOD!
He has this thing called "Mushroom Jazz" where he infuses deep house and jazz, it's like a live jazz set, with the dancing. The music is so good that you don't even need drinks! Because you honestly just want to be there taking everything in. The times I've drank too much, I've regretted it.
It's just an amazing experience to listen to him live, it's a progressive set of ecstasy. And, the best part is that it only gets better and better as the night goes on. If you like deep house, this is where you NEED to be. He will sometimes do his ALL VYNIL sets, it just makes you happy. It is so good! Everyone needs to attend one of his sets. The music is shocking, like everytime I go, I'm just like "Shit, how did he think of that? How does it fit so well?" He is a musical MAD MAN.
However, he is such a friendly guy. When I saw him last year at his Halloween show in LA, he had a GHOSTBUSTERS dancer! I asked Mark for a photo with me before he went on stage... my flash wasn't working and he politely said to me, "I'ts ok I've got time." I was so heart felt when he said this, it shows he cares and values his fans. I've recently had my boyfriend listen to Farina's music and he loves it! We went to both of his ALL VYNIL sets earlier this year and we are going to listen and dance to his set this June at Saint Rocke. Mark Farina loves his cute son Dylan! You will always see him on his INSTAGRAM: @djmarkfarina and he also posts vivid scenic illustrations. He's into old vintage cars as well! What a rad man!
With all my house music experience and just music in general, I would recommend any of his live sets if you are able to attend, in a heartbeat! It's always unforgettable and you will say to yourself, "Man, this is so good!"