Good evening Mark! Okay for an interview?

Hello, yes, sure! How are you?

Fine, thanks, we're indonesiaclubbing.com - portal site for nightlife and clubbing scene in Indonesia. This is your second time coming to Jakarta?

Second time coming to Indonesia, yes, but last time I was in Bali - a couple of years back.

You're originally from Chicago, right?

Yes I was born there.

And how did you move to San Francisco? You're still living there, right?

Yes, well I have this friend in SF, Derrick Carter - you must know him, too - who invited me to come there and we started a party night that lasted quite long, in the 1990s. I start to play more and more in Frisco, and stayed longer and longer.

But I didn't just move to Frisco overnight, though.

I had two apartments, one in SF, one in Chicago, for maybe four years, before I decided to move there for good, and yes I'm still living there.

When you talk about the scene in the US right now, what is currently hot and trendy? What does the crowd ask you to play, normally, when you play in the US?

Quite a lot of things, actually, In the US you have the crowd for all genres, and when I play, people already know that I play the Chicago house, a bit jazzy flavour that I call the "Mushroom Jazz", so that's what they ask. But I like to experiment with my music, too.

What represents a motivational and inspirational music for you? Do you also listen to your own music?

I listen to a lot of music genres, from all varieties, because I believe you have to expand your musical culture, as music is dynamic, it changes and develops as time goes by.

I listen to my own music sometimes, but I also listen to other people's music. I like music when there's melody and rhythm in it.

What do you consider the best thing with being a DJ?

I get to travel!

I like traveling very much - of course it's exhausting when you think of it, hours and hours in the plane for a 2-hour gig...But I love my job and I always meet new people, make new acquaintances, see the four corners of the globe...

And right now with internet bookings from other countries come everyday, it's great!

You belong to the first generation of American house DJs, like Derrick Carter, Derrick May, Josh Wink... The pioneers. Today, with computer softwares, there are so many DJs out there. What's your opinion about the younger generation of American house DJs? Like Andy Caldwell for example... Do you consider them "friends" or "foe"?

The house music community in SF is very tight, we're close to each other, so no, I don't consider them rivals - we're all friends. The younger generation knows how to respect us and we also respect them in return.

Andy Caldwell for instance is a very very good friend of mine, I came to his wedding and we play together sometimes, although him being young I don't think he's that young! Hahaha...

Where in the world do you tour the most?

Mostly in North America, Australia and Europe. I also go to Asia at least once a year on tour, though.

Are you on Facebook or Twitter or both?

Well, for Facebook I have an assistant who takes care of the promotional fanpage, who updates regularly the page with gigs, with news, photos, etc. But Facebook'd take so much of my time that I prefer Tweeting.

Everyone in the house music community has a Twitter account and we Tweet to keep in touch with each other.

And your family? How do you keep in touch with them?

Through internet, but I always provide quality time with my family.

What have you prepared for us tonight?

You'll see for yourself!

Thank you Mark and see you at Dragonfly!

See ya!