iio - Interview

NADIA: Most the time I write about events that have taken place in my life.

NADIA: I admire the vocal talents of Stevie Nicks, Sade, Steven Tyler, Robert Plant, but I am quite happy with my own voice and strive to perfecting it, rather than wishing I could sing like somebody else.

MARKUS: I have about a million tunes stored in my head, and when I work on songs inadvertently small pieces of all the greatest tunes ever, manifest itself in the songs I create. I like to work by myself, even when I collaborate I prefer to do it in solitude.

MARKUS: The only way I knowingly allow myself to be influenced is to try to make my mixes sound like a song that has great low end.

NADIA: Just be true to yourself and the music you do, don’t worry much about trends. Truth lives forever and so do great songs.

MARKUS: Sometimes after extensive travels it may just happen that we don’t see each other for a while.

BOTH: The most time consuming thing was the seemingly never ending work on our album. Songs had to be written and re-written, recorded and re-recorded and ultimately compiled and the sound made cohesive. This was a exhausting process and because of that we actually did not do as much promotion and other media work as people probably thought we had done.

BOTH: We are working on a DVD, but that’s somewhat a surprise that we have somewhat given away, or have we now?

BOTH: Australia, Taiwan, Romania, Turkey. We also like playing in the US a lot, we have great responses in Texas, Colorado, Florida, California, etc.

MARKUS: Music is our hobby.

MARKUS: It is somewhat difficult. I remember when Rapture was so big that one PD of a radio station in the UK said to us that this song will be our blessing and curse.

NADIA: I hope that we can convince people that we have songs equally as good as and maybe even better than Rapture. Although it will always have a special place it our hearts.

MARKUS: it is really knowing people who have connections to fresh talents and to figure out if their style, idea or musical philosophy is compatible with Iio’s sound. I’d like to have anyone remixing our music who sees the journey more as a reward than the destination.

NADIA: Personal experience of somebody I met and then brought forward those sentiments: I felt I could runaway...

BOTH: You are correct. We changed the release to runaway because timing made more sense.

MARKUS: I started working on the drums and wanted the sound of a real drummer but with the feel of programmed drums. When you hear the album you will see there are several different styles coming together.

BOTH: We believe soon fans will have forgotten the long wait. It only took that long because we wanted it to be a certain way.

BOTH: First we will release the regular album with originals only. There are thoughts about releasing Poetica remixed though.

BOTH: Constant work is bound to produce results. Slowing down is impossible. Next to the album we have just finished the next single.

BOTH: The first album draft was completed before Rapture was even released. We never planned for the release of the album to be so delayed. I have to say that it might have just worked for us up to a certain extent as we never even had a chance to gain overexposure and having people tire from us. We will continue to release.

MARKUS: Focus on the new single and put together a great live show.

BOTH: Send some mp3’s to info@maderecords.com for evaluation, and if we like it you’ll hear back from us. Mention your NCIAA affiliation.

MARKUS: Sure, why not, if the opportunity presents itself I’d love to share my experience.

MARKUS: In the times of email and internet anybody can be reached. You can write to info@maderecords.com and I will answer if it is addressed to me.

BOTH: You just said it, there are so many and so many good ones. I could not give you one station per se. I hear that Netmix is doing quite a good job though by broadcasting live from amateur and pro studios.

I was approached by the National Club Industry Association of America (NCIAA) and asked if I would like to produce the interview for iio's upcoming session on NetMix Radio. I of course responded with a humongous "yes" and thus the following interview was carried out from my questions. Kris Sweeton and his NCIAA crew interviewed iio on Feb. 14th, 2005 on the NetMix Radio session and followed it up with a huge set of iio only mixes. The following is a typed version of that interview for all to enjoy. I would also like to take a moment to Thank Kris Sweeton and his NCIAA crew for giving me the opportunity to do this interview - it was more then I could have ever hoped for! Thank You!!
Iio, well known throughout the world for their famous album “Rapture”, has been leaping to charts and dance floors worldwide with the release of their Runaway remixes from their newest Album “Poetica”. With the album expected to arrive shortly, Mark & Nadia still find time to speak to fans, and follow Dj’s despite their busy schedules.
Q: Nadia, what has been the inspiration if any for the lyrics in your songs?
	NADIA: Most the time I write about events that have taken place in my life.
Q: Has there been other singers that inspire you, or that you look up to for singing inspiration?
	NADIA: I admire the vocal talents of Stevie Nicks, Sade, Steven Tyler, Robert Plant, but I am quite happy with my own voice and strive to perfecting it, rather than wishing I could sing like somebody else.
Q: Markus, is there anyone you look to, for inspiration when it comes to the fabrication of your songs?
	MARKUS: I have about a million tunes stored in my head, and when I work on songs inadvertently small pieces of all the greatest tunes ever, manifest itself in the songs I create. I like to work by myself, even when I collaborate I prefer to do it in solitude.
Q: Is there anyone you look to for inspiration when it comes to the style and sound of your music? anyone that you hear and think "that is a great sound" or "I like 'this', maybe I could do something like that..."?
	MARKUS: The only way I knowingly allow myself to be influenced is to try to make my mixes sound like a song that has great low end.
Q: Markus & Nadia, you both have been a success in the Dj underground - on the mainstream radio - and more recently with home sales and coming album - what kind of things will you be shooting for in the future? Any goals or aspirations that you hope to achieve before you ever think about stopping the making of your music?
	NADIA: Just be true to yourself and the music you do, don’t worry much about trends. Truth lives forever and so do great songs.
Q: Markus & Nadia, have you ever gotten tired of each other being in such close proximity all the time? Ever needed to take a break when the stress has seemingly been overwhelming?
	MARKUS: Sometimes after extensive travels it may just happen that we don’t see each other for a while.
Q: At first being having been mostly unknown, but now gathering huge momentum - how do you deal with the continually increasing amount of media, shows, webwork, etc..? Is there any one thing that you try to do? Like maybe one most important thing that takes precedence?
	BOTH: The most time consuming thing was the seemingly never ending work on our album. Songs had to be written and re-written, recorded and re-recorded and ultimately compiled and the sound made cohesive. This was a exhausting process and because of that we actually did not do as much promotion and other media work as people probably thought we had done.
Q: Do you have other projects in the works? Music DVD's? TV performances? Movies, anything unexpected coming up?
	BOTH: We are working on a DVD, but that’s somewhat a surprise that we have somewhat given away, or have we now?
Q: What has been your most favorite location in the world to visit so far? Is there a specific place that you have played that you enjoyed the most?
	BOTH: Australia, Taiwan, Romania, Turkey. We also like playing in the US a lot, we have great responses in Texas, Colorado, Florida, California, etc.
Q: What do you guy’s do for fun when you aren't working on Iio's music? What kinds of hobbies keep you busy away from the music?
	MARKUS: Music is our hobby.
With literally thousands of Djs hitting the club industry today, many struggle daily with trying to reach mainstream success and recognition. Often times, reaching an agent or Record Label can sometimes be next to impossible, and in most cases can be equally as hard to reach up and coming or well established celebrity Dj’s and Artists. Known worldwide as iio, Mark Moser and Nadia Ali share their experiences with fellow NCIAA Members:
Q: Markus & Nadia, Runaway is your 4th single - how do you deal with the huge expectations that you are going to make this single as great and successful as Rapture was?
	MARKUS: It is somewhat difficult. I remember when Rapture was so big that one PD of a radio station in the UK said to us that this song will be our blessing and curse.
	NADIA: I hope that we can convince people that we have songs equally as good as and maybe even better than Rapture. Although it will always have a special place it our hearts.
Q: How did you make the awesome choices for remixers, and then select the mixes of Runaway? Is there anyone in particular that you really enjoy - or anyone in particular that you want to have remixing your music?
	MARKUS: it is really knowing people who have connections to fresh talents and to figure out if their style, idea or musical philosophy is compatible with Iio’s sound. I’d like to have anyone remixing our music who sees the journey more as a reward than the destination.
Q: Nadia, was there a specific event or circumstance that inspired the lyrics for Runaway?
	NADIA: Personal experience of somebody I met and then brought forward those sentiments: I felt I could runaway...
Q: If I am correct, Runaway wasn't the first single that was going to be released off of the new album - why was it changed to Runaway afterwards?
	BOTH: You are correct. We changed the release to runaway because timing made more sense.
Q: Markus, was there a certain sound you were going for with Runaway? Something that set you towards the style that the song has?
	MARKUS: I started working on the drums and wanted the sound of a real drummer but with the feel of programmed drums. When you hear the album you will see there are several different styles coming together.
Q: A lot of fans were disappointed in how long it has taken you to come up with a full Iio album, what makes the new album worth waiting for?
	BOTH: We believe soon fans will have forgotten the long wait. It only took that long because we wanted it to be a certain way.
Q: Are there going to be any remixes of any of the other songs on the album? Any hints as to who would be involved?
	BOTH: First we will release the regular album with originals only. There are thoughts about releasing Poetica remixed though.
Q: Do you have plans to make more albums and more singles? No hints of slowing the train of success and popularity?
	BOTH: Constant work is bound to produce results. Slowing down is impossible. Next to the album we have just finished the next single.
Q: When did the idea and the decision to make a full album come about after doing several singles first? Do you think they will be as highly played and sought after in the typical single hungry Dj world?
	BOTH: The first album draft was completed before Rapture was even released. We never planned for the release of the album to be so delayed. I have to say that it might have just worked for us up to a certain extent as we never even had a chance to gain overexposure and having people tire from us. We will continue to release.
Q: Now that you are finally getting Poetica out on the market - what is the next thing that Iio is going to concentrate on?
	MARKUS: Focus on the new single and put together a great live show.
Q: As I’m sure you know, many of the djs registered with the NCIAA would love to compete in the opportunity to be selected as a potential remixer of your work, Right now how would one of these djs get your attention?
	BOTH: Send some mp3’s to info@maderecords.com for evaluation, and if we like it you’ll hear back from us. Mention your NCIAA affiliation.
Q: Markus - Any chance you would be interested in spending a day with a few beginner Dj's to show them the Ropes?
	MARKUS: Sure, why not, if the opportunity presents itself I’d love to share my experience.
Q: Do either of you often feel that you’ve lost touch with who you are as an individual due to your success. In other words do you feel you have sacrificed you the person for you the successful artists?
	BOTH: No.
Q: Many up and coming Dj’s feel the aches of trying to reach someone like you, any suggestions to them as to how to get in personal contact with you?
	MARKUS: In the times of email and internet anybody can be reached. You can write to info@maderecords.com and I will answer if it is addressed to me.
Q: Ok, Last question. Both of you have of course listened to Internet Radio Stations, and there seem to be more and more popping up all the time, Is there any one station that you prefer to listen to and if so why?
	BOTH: You just said it, there are so many and so many good ones. I could not give you one station per se. I hear that Netmix is doing quite a good job though by broadcasting live from amateur and pro studios.
Interviewed by: Trevor Wirch aka zastaba