WHO UK DJ/producer duo The Shapeshifters are best known for their No. 1 hit single "Lola's Theme." In four years, the celebrated deep-house track has seen several reincarnations, including a 2008 re-edit. Stellar studio partners Simon Marlin and Max Reich met in the early ’90s. Marlin was running his own club and Reich was throwing underground techno parties when the two came together to program and mix some of the scene's most memorable DJ sets, and eventually, classic compilations such as House Grooves. Since "Lola's Theme," the duo have by and large remained on the charts with remixes of hits including Christina Aguilera's "Ain’t No Other Man," Candi Staton's "You Got The Love" and George Michael's "Flawless." Their 2006 debut artist album Sound Advice garnered another three top 20 hits and they've since released more dancefloor-focused techy tracks like "Treadstone" as well as a remix of Orbital's classic "Chime." While continuing to hold down their eight-year residency at The End/AKA in London, England, the duo have just completed their "In the House" mix for legendary label Defected Records. I spoke with Simon Marlin by email.
WHAT House music.
WHERE Nov. 7 "In the House" CD Release Party with Andy Reid at The Mod Club (722 College).
FAVOURITE RECORD OF ALL TIME Marlin: "Far too many to pick one!"
FAVOURITE RECORD RIGHT NOW Hercules and Love Affair's "Blind" (Frankie Knuckles Remix).
FAVOURITE WEBSITE RIGHT NOW www.beatport.com "Cause it’s what I do."
WHAT IS YOUR MOST SURREAL DJING EXPERIENCE? "Being in Tel Aviv and having pyrotechnics randomly explode inside the club. No one told us — I thought we were under attack!"
DIGITAL OR ANALOG? "It doesn’t matter. It’s what you do with it that counts."
WHAT IS VITAL TO YOUR DAILY ROUTINE? "Waking up!"
WHAT GLOBAL ISSUE CONCERNS YOU MOST RIGHT NOW? "Animal welfare. It’s their planet too."
WHAT IS THE LAST GREAT FILM YOU SAW? Iron Man.
WHAT ACTOR WOULD PLAY YOU IN A BIOPIC? Robert Downey Jr.
WHAT ARE YOU READING RIGHT NOW? "I just finished From Baghdad With Love. It's about a dog that gets rescued from Iraq by the Marines."