After effectively dominating 2011, Sunnery James and Ryan Marciano have their sights set high for 2012. As we can all recall, their smash hit ‘Lethal Industry’ was a club favorite along with their bootlegs and extensive remix collection. Just recently, the duo put a big room, electro spin on Ferry Corsten’s latest hit, Ain’t No Stoppin. In addition, their 2 track EP on Steve Angello’s Size Matters imprint, Markuzza/Zweepstok is steadily picking up speed.
Despite their busy schedule, the guys took the time to answer some pressing questions for us. Inside we discuss their massive run in 2011, their upcoming release schedule (SHM fans will want to check THAT out!), Tiesto’s Dutch v. Swedes soccer game, and much more! So hit the jump for the full interview and make sure you keep up with their Twitter (SJ + RM) and Facebook pages for the most up to date information.
-INTERVIEW-
Sunnery James + Ryan Marciano – Markuzza [Size]
I’m sure you guys get this often, but to set little background for our readers we wanted to ask how did you two meet and how did this collaborative production effort begin?
SJ: I worked in a sports shop where Ryan walked in to get a last-minute internship. If Ryan didn’t get it that day, he would fail school.
RM: And thank God I got it. Not because I cared about school that much, but Sunnery and I became close friends immediately. With one important interest in common: Music!
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This question’s just for Ryan. Has anyone ever told you that you seriously resemble Troy Polamalu of the Pittsburgh Steelers?
RM: Haha! I just Googled his photo, and I must say: I don’t really know him or anything about American Football. But you meant just the hair, right?
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Following the massive response to your remake of Tiesto’s classic, ‘Lethal Industry’, do you guys have plans to work on an original track together in the future?
SJ: Actually, it was never our intention to do a remake. A big part of the track was already made before we tried the Lethal Industry parts on it. In this new form it fits better in our sets. But creating our very own tracks is something we like most.
RM: We’re focussed on creating our own music. But of course, you’ll just never know how things will go.
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A lot of people don’t know this but you guys have been in the game for quite some time now. What do you think of the growth of EDM in today’s society and specifically in America? And do you think it will ever peak?
SJ: Well, EDM is already huge in general. The scene has been a great succes in The Netherlands, where starting DJ’s are able to do a lot of gigs. A lot of Dutch DJ’s are now working with big artists in the States, because more and more people are starting to love this kind of music.
RM: I think music is always developing, and that EDM will always be a part of it. Pop music will always be influenced by EDM, and the other way around. And you might even say that EDM ís Pop-music at this moment.
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You guys played with Laidback Luke at Pacha after playing MTV’s NYE party. It was definitely a shock to see you guys on MTV, but it’s also a huge win for EDM. How was that experience and are there any efforts to further work with them as they embrace this house music culture over at MTV?
SJ: The experience was great. Just being at Times Square during NYE is something special. Now we were playing at MTV as well. Truly amazing, and we got so many reactions afterwards. They’re still coming in!
RM: MTV is something special, it’s part of our education. We’re happy they liked having house DJs in their show, and we would love to do more stuff with MTV.
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So, we saw on Twitter that Tiesto has recruited you guys for this Swedes v. Dutch soccer game going on during Miami Music Week. First off, who else is on your team, and can we expect a W from the Dutch team?
SJ: We have absolutely no idea who’s on the team, but who needs to know if we’re already in?
RM: Besides, we’re Dutch: Haven’t you seen the FIFA World Cup in 2010?
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Where are you guys in the world right now? And is it for business or pleasure?
SJ: First of all: Our business IS pleasure. We just arrived in South America, Nicaragua to be precise. We’re doing a 3-week tour before we go back to our own jungle: Amazone Project in Amsterdam.
RM: Do you know those T-shirts that say: “I’m with >>>”?
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What’s a major difference between American and European festivals that you see? And to this date, which has been your favorite to play?
SJ: The Dutch dance-scene is where and what we come from. I am real proud of our dance culture, and it brought us everything. In Holland we always play for a crowd that is really into it, and knows everything. It’s almost like they are saying show me your stuff; it’s the European culture in a way.
RM: People seem to play a little hard-to-get in Europe in regards to the music.
SJ: We are very outgoing people and we love dancing. In Holland they love the music, but they also love to test us and see what we are made of – kind of like an evaluation. In America, there is just so much emotion and chaos in the crowds. And for the DJ that’s great, we feel it and we respond.
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Are there any producers out there you guys want to really collaborate with or perhaps recently have?
SJ: We have a track with Steve Angello that still needs to be finished. We’d also love to do something with Axwell, because he’s simply one of the best producers in the world.
RM: We would also like to work with the deeper guys too, like Luciano.
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2011 was a HUGE year for you guys with a string of phenomenal releases. We saw that you just released your latest EP on Angello’s SIZE Matters label, featuring ‘Markuzza/ Zweepstok’. We were eagerly awaiting ‘Markuzza’ after hearing it on Pete Tong’s BBC Radio 1 Show last year. What were your inspirations for this EP? And are there any other major releases we should be on our toes for?
SJ: We recently released the Lethal Industry track, a remix for Ferry Corsten’s “Ain’t No Stoppin” and now the Markuzza and Zweepstok EP. We also released some free bootlegs on our Facebook page, and now it’s time to wait for the next big thing from our kitchen.
RM: We have some projects running which aren’t finished yet. And we’re not the type of artists that release a track every 48 hours. If people follow us on Twitter and Facebook, they’ll know 
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We see you guys spend a lot of time in NYC, any specific venues in the city you love to check out?
SJ: My second home is in NYC, so when I’m here for personal purpose I like to check out Lavo, or Nobu for sushi. The city is full of cool places.
RM: Buddy’s, a restaurant that’s open 24/7. Always good. And of course 1oak!
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If you could give one piece of advice for aspiring DJ’s and producers, what would it be?
SJ: Work hard, but don’t push yourself.
RM: Always be yourself and just enjoy everything you’re doing.
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With the initial run of the Amazone Project, a massive EDM event in the Heineken Music Hall Amsterdam that you two headed, being so successful, what kind of surprises can we expect from the 2012 remake and the compilation album you’re putting together?
SJ: Based on the first two editions, we can expect 5.500 fans going crazy. They’ve been waiting a year for this event, and we’re doing everything in return: visual show, CO2 canons, a longer DJ-set then people are used to. And, some extra surprises as well …
RM: The compilation album is going to be a typical SJRM-set for your CD player. We used our own specific build-up, certain tracks and mash-ups. We’ve put a long time into mixing this album. And it will be available from the 25th of February.
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We see you guys are gearing up for your South American tour which looks to be massive! Which stops are you looking forward to the most? And where in the world is your favorite place to tour?
SJ: Have you seen the tour? What’s not to like? We’re going to El Salvador, Guatemala, Colombia and Brazil. They’re all amazing countries.
RM: We like to go to places where it’s warm, so we currently are at the right part of this planet. We also love to visit Curacao, or Ibiza in the summer.
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And alright, before you leave for an extended tour, what are the three things that you each MUST take with you and why?
SJ: Macbook, iPhone and … let’s not forget headphones and SD-cards this time .. We did that before.
RM: Passport, Credit card and Sunnery. Because I can buy the rest on the road.
brought to you by PB&J™
SJ+RM
[GMM]
Tags: Ain't No Stoppin, Amazone Project, Exclusive Interview, Ferry Corsten, Lethal Industry, ryan marciano, sunnery james
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