Interview by Brooke Gibbs.

Futuremag Music Editor Brooke Gibbs sat down with DJ/Producer/Promoter Mark James ahead of his forthcoming Disco/House night in Melbourne, The Boogie Bar, which launches May 6.

We also celebrated the success of Mark’s latest track, Back to Love, which deservingly so, hit high in the ARIA Club Chart.

FMM: We’re only a couple of days away from The Boogie Bar launch! You must be incredibly busy at the moment. How’s the final preparation coming along? 

Mark: It’s coming along really well. We’re busy preparing the venue with final renovation touches. 

FMM: What do you have in store for the opening night?

Mark: Opening night features some of Melbourne’s best DJs including Andy Van (Super Disco, Madison Avenue), Rubber People, and myself going back-to-back, retro queen Wunderkind, plus Benny S and some old school DJs in the cocktail bar spinning vinyl classics. 

FMM: Tell us a bit about The Boogie Bar and what fun things will be happening there. 

Mark: Along with Happy Hour from 8pm – 10pm and party tunes, there will be disco dancers throughout the night.

FMM: What did you find was missing in the Melbourne music and bar scene until the Boogie Bar came along? And why is now the perfect time for a venue of this sort?

Mark: We felt there is a need for a fun house and disco night as a lot of Melbourne clubs focus on more underground styles of music .

FMM: You’ve had a bit of a hiatus from Melbourne, so it’s great to see you back in your hometown for such an exciting project. What were you up to during this Melbourne hiatus?

Mark: I was living overseas for most of the time away working on music production.

FMM: You also have a new track out, Back to Love, which has hit high in the ARIA Club and Beatport Charts. Huge congratulations! What do you think it was about this track that was so successful?

Mark: Thank you. I’m very happy the way Back To Love has been received. I think apart from the original being a crossover of pop and funky house, the various remixes have appealed to a broad range of club and radio DJs.