The following rough demos are available for streaming download and all use the Real Networks file format (.rm).
If your default player does not recognise the realmedia file type, search for a relevant plugin codec.
None of the music available here should be retained on your hard drive and is provided solely as a demonstration of my technical ability -
as such they should not be performed in public or in any way used for commercial gain.
[1] "BTB meets P2theE" Mark Derkacz, Juan Honeste, Ric Sic - 1998 [583Kb]
Sequenced, mixed dj track using vinyl samples/Akai filters - breakbeat (2:22)
[2] "Africaness" Mark Derkacz, Juan Honeste, Sanchita - 1999 [878Kb]
Sampled bongo playing over a synth soundtrack - mellow house (3:48)
[3] "I wish I was Coldcut" Mark Derkacz - 1999 [1,722Kb]
Drum machine rhythm with live analog synth playing - ambient (7:02)
[4] "Stereo MC's: Deep Down 'n' Dirty - Remix" Mark Derkacz - 2001 [1,021Kb]
Samples from the java scratch console at stereomcs.com - 1st remix (4:10)
[5] "Stereo MC's: Deep Down 'n' Dirty - Beats" Mark Derkacz - 2001 [468Kb]
Samples from the java scratch console at stereomcs.com - 3rd remix (1:54)
The samples from track [1] are from acid house/rap artists who by nature support sampling as an artistic form. Tracks [4] and [5] are copyright of Island Records, whose permission was granted for their production.
Musical experience;
From an early age I sang and taught myself to play the piano. At Loyola Prep school I learnt to play the trombone, playing in the school orchestra. Music theory was also studied alongside practicing, which gave me an interest in classical music. At Forest school I performed with classical music with the full orchestra, chamber group and swing bands (performing with Courtney Pine and Don Rendell - both music tutors at the school).
In terms of pop music my parents were Beatles fans. I was most interested in early 80's synthesizer music (such as Jean-Michel Jarre and the Pet Shop Boys) and computerised music. I bought and sold synths, sequencers, drum machines, etc. for fun and for profit. My first experience of scratching and breakbeat music came at school in 1988 from fellow student Tim Simenon (Bomb The Bass).
An interest developed in rock, metal and later indie music, so I diversified to learn guitar, collecting electrics as well as amps/effects units. Part of a four piece metal outfit with just the two gigs to speak of. In my final year I was school house music captain, coming second of eight playing Yngwie Malmsteen and Mr Big tracks. Whilst at art college (1993-1994) an enthusiasm grew for house music and dj mixed sets.
Making music with friends followed with the use of analogue synths/programmers, PC based sequencing, samplers and filtering. Favourite artists include Coldcut for their legendary Solid Steel radio show, William Orbit for both his production skills and solo work as well as the Canadian scratch master Kid Koala.
