It’s no secret that, as of late, focus on dance music has shifted across the pond. But the fact still remains that New York City is the birthplace of modern dance music. It’s in the sweaty underground clubs of America’s most populous city that Larry Levan and David Mancuso wowed dance floors night after night, their eclectic crates averting eyes and ears towards the DJ booth. While Lady Liberty’s torch is no longer the symbol of dance music’s epicenter, the flame is far from being extinguished. The Big Apple’s eclectic and soulful stylings have been passed on from generation to generation, from the Mancusos and Levans to the Ferrers and the Vegas. The latest incarnation of this brand of unique urban dance floor soulfulness comes in the form of the Martinez Brothers. Even though they are members of dance music’s master class who’s IDs are still scrutinized by bouncers, their performance on the dance floor is no joke. NocheLatina recently got a chance to touch base with the Martinez Brothers about soulfulness, sibling rivalry, and the city they call home.
nocheLatina: Is the house scene really big in NYC or is it more techno and tech house?
The Martinez Brothers: Well it depends on what type of house we're speaking of, whether it be commercial or soulful, tech, deep etc. There is definitely a scene for all the ones mentioned, some bigger than others, but definitely. Techno is prevalent at the moment as well.
nocheLatina: It's kind of hard to get a feel for what Miami is really like during Winter Music Conference. How did the Miami scene stack up to the New York scene when you were here at Aero Bar?
The Martinez Brothers: We loved it, and we felt very at home. Was a great party, with beautiful people and great music, just like home.
nocheLatina: I noticed that a lot of the guys from New York, such as Little Louie Vega and Dennis Ferrer, and yourselves, have an eclectic mixing style. Is that a hallmark of DJs from the Big Apple?
The Martinez Brothers: I think it definitely is, just because growing up in NYC, you cant help but be into so many different types of music. As for us, we've always been into many different types of music; Hip-Hop, soul, disco, African, and jazz, so I guess it’s only natural to try to incorporate different styles into the sets.
nocheLatina: You guys are very young but have become very big. How is it being as big as some guys that have been around for a while? Is it hard to keep grounded?
The Martinez Brothers: It’s really a pleasure to even be in the same sentence as some of our mentors and people that have been in the industry for so long and that have been very influential. We do this because we love music, and because we love to have a good time, so to keep grounded is not hard at all because we're just having a good time. Plus, we have a supportive and close family. That helps a lot.
nocheLatina: Who are your biggest influences? Has there been anyone in specific that has played a major role in your careers'?
The Martinez Brothers: There's so many influences that we have; People like Timmy Regisford, Louie Vega, of course Dennis Ferrer who has played a very major role in our careers, he helped us get started in production, gave us our first gig in a real club, but yes there’s so many to name.
nocheLatina: How does being siblings influence your mixing and producing?
The Martinez Brothers: The fact that we're siblings, just makes everything so natural...We have a natural connection with each other and there’s even times where we have the same tracks in mind to play, so its really dope. We feed off of each others energy and sometimes even have some friendly competition.
nocheLatina: What is it about New York that makes the DJs have such a penchant for soulfulness?
The Martinez Brothers: Well the whole club thing pretty much started in New York, when you think about places like the loft, which was the mecca of all this, and places like the gallery and garage that followed after that, the music that was being played was based on soul. A lot of r and b, disco, funk, were being played at these clubs, and clubs that grew out of those roots like the shelter, body and soul etc, all carried in sort of the same tradition. So looking at all of that history, its sort of impossible for dj's such like ourselves to not be influenced by that.
nocheLatina: What are you plans for the immediate future?
The Martinez Brothers: Definitely working on many more productions and putting out more music, and definitely continuing to tour the globe! We will be performing at the Electric Daisy Carnival in Los Angeles, Le Poisson Rouge in NYC, shows abroad. Also, we have an album coming out on Strictly Rhythm in July.
