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We met totally unexpected in 2016 at a beach party in Noordwijk (NL), where he was playing at a private event. It was May and it was freezing outside, as if it were winter. Marc Ramirez a.k.a. Spanish DJ/producer Dosem didn't know anyone and neither did I, except for the friend who’s plus-one I was. While standing at the warm indoor bar, Marc and I started talking about music and of course, when I heard his familiar name, I asked if I could interview him about his DJ debut. A few months later I did. “The feedback was fantastic.”
Having been a resident DJ in two clubs in his Spanish birthtown Girona, is the basis of DJ/producer Marc Dosem’s development. “It marked me until now.”
Next level
“I remember those days well. I had already performed at some small private parties with just a few friends, but we all decided to take DJing to the next level. So, after discussing how and where to do it, we rented a house for New Year’s Eve in an almost secret place halfway some mountain, near to Platja d’Aro, a well-known place on the Costa Brava.”
Gigantic turn-up
“A few weeks before New Year’s Eve we started decorating and preparing everything. Almost all the furniture was made by our own hands, so many friends were involved in the process. When the day arrived, the party was a big success. We got a massive attendance; all rooms were packed and several buses parked around the house. I played all-night and part of the morning in front of a room of approximately two- to three-hundred people. I have a fantastic memory of that night. I mixed all kinds of music: house, techno, disco, big beat and of course also some of my own first productions.”
First residency
“The feedback was fantastic and thanks to that performance I got my first residency at a small club in my city, Girona. The club was called La Via-Ruta 66 and I established a great friendship with the general manager, Pitter. In that club I developed my technique and had the opportunity to experiment with all kinds of music. On some nights I began with some hip hop & R&B and ended with disco, funk and house. The club wasn’t exclusively directed at electronic music, so at first I had to win the audience for me. There were two areas and mine was almost halfway to go upstairs to the main one, so the dance floor wasn’t full all the time. My mission was to make people stay there. After a few months I succeeded in doing this and I started having my own audience who came especially to hear my sessions. I still have a close friendship with many of those people until today.”
Blau Club
“La Via-Ruta 66 opened many doors for me; from this point things evolved fast. Soon I met other residents of clubs in the city and was invited to play with them. One of the most important ones was the Blau Club. The curious thing was that my first gig at Blau club was also the first time I performed under my a.k.a. ‘Dosem’, which represented a turning point in my life. It gave a completely live performance, techno and house-oriented from A through Z. The floor was full of friends and I had no idea how people would react.”
Live set
“I guess it went really well because after that I was offered a monthly residency performing live sets. That first time my setup was pretty simple. I just had a laptop and a Midi controller. I was used to mix my productions with sounds and snippets of other tracks – creating remixes on the fly. Somewhere I still must have recordings of that era. During my residence at the Blau Club I had the chance to warm-up the room for many international artists, including Technasia, with whom a personal and professional friendship arose. After a few months I actually signed a contract with his label to release my debut album.”
Very open mind
“Looking back, I understand that those days in the beginning have been important to develop myself as an artist – especially because I was able to combine my roles as producer and DJ. These two facets evolved at the same time, and that allowed me to have a very open mind when it comes to making music. By being a resident I was forced to make very long hours and create different musical moments during the evening, with different styles and genres. That experience has been of great influence on me – it marked me until now.”
This interview with Dosem was originally published on DJMag.nl on December 15th 2016.
Who is Marc Dosem?
Revered for a desire and passion to explore the deeper shades of house and techno, Dosem’s career as an artist has been on a constant upward trajectory. Emerging as an iconic figure in the landscape of melodic house and techno, distinguished by his unwavering passion for exploring the sonic depths of this genre. Dosem’s artistic journey is defined by a constant quest for sound innovation, where he combines over many years of studio experience with an impressive presence on tours at prestigious clubs internationally. His unique fusion of rich, textured sounds with energetic percussion rhythms has positioned him at the forefront, solidifying him as one of the most influential Spanish exponents in the electronic scene.
From his beginnings with significant contributions to renowned labels such as Tronic and Bedrock, through his innovative debut album ‘Parallel’ under the Sino label, to his acclaimed and awarded ‘City Cuts’ on Suara, Dosem’s extensive discography has not only placed him at the top of the Beatport charts but also earned the respect of key industry figures and enthusiasts alike. His ability to create enveloping soundscapes has led Dosem to perform in iconic clubs and festivals around the world, including Fabric in London, Womb in Tokyo, Berghain in Berlin, as well as renowned events like Sónar in Barcelona, Ultra in Miami, and Boiler Room, showcasing his versatility and eclectic mastery.
Dosem’s recent partnership with Anjunadeep, a cornerstone in the global electronic music label scene, marks a milestone in his distinguished career, reaffirming him as a reference in the realm of melodic house and techno. This collaboration has catapulted the Girona artist to new heights, producing tracks that have resonated globally and highlighting him as a predominant influence in the Progressive House genre, especially with the release of his striking album “Dream Decoder”. The recognition achieved through his work with Anjunadeep, with standout singles and memorable remixes, has led to unforgettable performances at major events worldwide, further cementing his esteemed reputation.
This stage in his career not only highlights his artistic evolution but also his ability to weave complex musical narratives that connect with audiences across the globe, demonstrating Dosem’s enduring impact and inexhaustible creativity in the realm of electronic music.