Founder of one of the globe's most successful CD compilation series and brand Hed Kandi which went on to sell over five million albums worldwide, originally started with the Hed Kandi show in 1999 on London's Jazz FM. He went on to create Tokyo Project and now his own label Fierce Angel Records. Beats4Life caught up with Mark Doyle to talk about his amazing success.
What first inspired you to take up Djing?
I used to love collecting records and always had the best collection of music so i was asked to DJ at the school parties...then it was peoples parties and finally proper club nights...i suppose i love being centre of attention and seeing people enjoy themselves.
What’s been your most memorable gig?
There have been many it's hard to pick out just one...but my absolute favourite would be our first London party for Hed Kandi at Rouge where we had to turn away 1000 people, our Winter Wonderland special at Canvas, Our first Hed Kandi in Ibiza, our New Years Eve party at Neighbourhood for Fierce Angel and party for House Nation at Womb in Japan.
What was the original vision for Fierce Angel?
I had reached a point with Hed Kandi where i had decided whether to settle into a role and accept i would only ever be an employee of the company or strike out on my own. As i constantly like to make life difficult for myself i decided that a new wholly owned independent label was the way forward. After long discussions with key members of the team we made extremely hard decision to leave Hed Kandi and start afresh. The philosophy of the brand is to release the finest fierced music in stunning packaging and produce the very best events. The label is about being small and perfectly formed as opposed to being a big commercial monster.
We’ve noticed many DJs don’t seen to warm up any more. Do you think warming up is a dying art form?
Yes i think everyone is desperate to be the number one big shot DJ on the night and can spoil the atmosphere by trying to play too many big tunes to early...I'm happy to say that all the Fierce Angel DJ's that work with me know how to make a great warm up sets but definitely something DJ's need to concentrate more on!
What have you been been up to so far this year.
We've been playing all over the world, releasing some amazing CD's and broadcasting the Fierce Angel radio show to over 30 countries...it's been totaly crazy year.
Was your dream to become a DJ and a successful label owner or did it come along the way?
I always wanted to be involved in music but never thought i would be successful! i feel privileged to be traveling the world and playing music to people...!!!
Who are your biggest influences?
I'm influenced by all my favourite DJ's they include Masters At Work, Joey Negro, Miguel Migs, X-Press II and many more.
What advice would you give new DJs?
Play the music that you love, practice lots and work hard...There's so many DJ's out there now that it's hard to be successful but i'm proof that if you work hard you can make a living out something you love!
What do we expect from Mark Doyle for 2010?
Lots and lots of Fiercenesssss!!!!!!
www.myspace.com/markdoyle_dj