Markus Schulz Sits Down with Blake Wilson: SCREAM Tour and New World Punx

America’s #1 DJ, Markus Schulz hit the road this spring, traveling the North American continent on a bus to deliver fresh bass and a unique dance music tour experience.

“I spend so much time every year at 35,000 feet, zooming around North America, looking at clouds,” Markus explains. “There’s the opportunity here to see more and experience more of this country – both the places and the people.”

Driving across the continent with supporting acts The M Machine and KhoMha promoting his 2012 ‘Scream’ album, Markus preps himself for one of his most nostalgic shows yet. His return to his foundation, The Valley of the Sun, always brings him back to his residency over a decade ago at former Scottsdale hotspot, The Works.

Markus Schulz and The M Machine Q&A Recorded Live

“That was where I got to experiment with that whole melting pot of techno, trance, house and other genres,” Markus continues. “At that time there was a lot less tribalism and sub-genre-ism in the EDM scene. That allowed for more latitude in the sounds you put out there. When you experience that kind of dancefloor nature it takes the passion you already have for it and amplifies countless times.”

Markus said that Phoenix made him the DJ and musician that he is today, which happens to be one of the biggest acts in all of dance music. His ‘Scream‘ Bus Tour is no exception.

“This has been about taking the BIG show to the smaller club,” he says about the tour. “We arrive, huge-ass trailer in tow, the rig comes off, the lights go in and the hardware is set up. Some nights it taken up to 9 hours to get it all primed. Doesn’t matter where the show’s been, people have been hearing and seeing something way more spectacular than they’re used to.”

KhoMha and The M Machine help deliver the full Scream experience through their contrasts and melding of sounds against Markus’s own.

“KhoMha is one of my protégés. When it comes to music, we’re 100% in sync,” Markus says proudly. “We also felt that it would be good to get some contrast going on as well, which is where The M Machine guys come in. I’ve been all over their sound and what they do onstage for a while. So when the tour manager suggested them as a support act, I jumped at that.”

Markus Schulz & KhoMha – Avalon, Hollywood (August 11th, 2012)

Since the tour can’t last forever, Markus is working with Ferry Corsten on a new, duo project, New World Punx. The title of the group comes from Markus’s 2008 tune “The New World” and Ferry fan favorite from the same year, “Punk”.

“Our productions generally have that same ballpark ‘toughness’ and that’s what’s made reworks of ‘Loops’ and ‘Stella’ connect,” said Markus. “Our dynamic on stage I’d describe as ‘kinetic’. The vibe that gets going up there between us produces a whole new level of energy and impact.”

It all began with a Skype conversation before their back-to-back sets at Godskitchen in the UK last year.

Markus Schulz & Ferry Corsten Skype Interview for GodsKitchen

“We’ve got some big New World Punx news coming up, pretty quickly off the back of the tour,” Markus finishes. “Can’t quite give the game away on that one yet though!”

No worries, Markus. We’re just glad to have you back for a Scottsdale homecoming. See you Friday at The Venue At Scottsdale!