Marlene Stark: The ‘Shine A Light On’ Mix

Creativity comes naturally to Berlin-based DJ and producer Marlene Stark. While most might know her through her residency at the intimate haven that is Sameheads, her talents stretch far beyond her alluring DJ sets and across various tricks and trades. 

Heading up SUPERPOSITION, her party series and Cashmere Radio show of the same name, Marlene’s heady, brooding soundscapes, that take influence from wave, techno, experimental and industrial, are channeled through her own productions which have formerly graced imprints like Copenhagen’s Music For Dreams, Lustpoderosa and, of course, Sameheads. 

On top of her musical feats, Marlene is also an artist and a writer who, in 2019 alongside Anna Gien, published her first novel titled ‘M’, which focuses on the underground scene in Neukölln in East Berlin, and the empowerment of one’s own body and desires. 

As she gears up for the release of her new EP Hyäne, a triumphant return to local label Lustpoderosa, to celebrate we invited her to deliver a mix of rich, rhythmic wave and industrial sounds… This is music for the body.

Please introduce yourself… Who are you, where are you and what are you:

Marlene Stark is actually the name my mother gave me, after the doctor realized that my sisters name is Anna, which was her first choice. But that would may not change the situation that I live in Berlin and work in my studio on some new track, work as a writer, artist and DJ.

What does your music sound like?

Intense, dark, percussive, sensual, psychedelic, rich on rhythm Body Music.

Can you draw what you think it sounds like for us (an image from the old internet is acceptable)?

and it smells like copper

Where was the mix recorded?

In my mind

What would be the ideal setting to listen to the mix?

*small ketamine overdose, 7am, Monday, haven’t slept a while or lake with friends 

What should we be wearing?

Fresh leaves

What would be your dream setting to record a mix: Location/system/format?

3D Music Game made by me which looks like a tree and I am the tree or 15.859997, -97.079348

Which track in the mix is your current favourite?

Feucht oder Flüssig of my upcoming mini Album on Lustpoderosa

What’s your favourite recorded mix of all time?

and…

If you could go back to back with any DJ from throughout history, who would it be and why?

Neu Verboten, cause he is lit, who else.

What was your first DJ set up at home and what is it now?

I started with tape decks and now I have Pioneers DJ CDJ-850, a Rotary Omnitronic TRM-402 i and Technics.

What’s more important, the track you start on or the track you end on?

I like it when I’m about to

What were the first and last records you bought?

The Doors, L.A. Woman, when i was 13 and Reptant – Phasic Reflex 12″ w/ Roza Terenzi Remix (OYSTER25) by Kalahari Oyster Cult

If this mix was an edible thing, what would it taste like?

White Truffle

If it was an animal what would it be?

Smelly White Chinchilla

One record in your collection that is impossible to mix into anything?

Beatmatching is overrated…

Upcoming in the world of …

Pure love, big trees, mist and Lustpoderosa.

Follow Marlene Stark. Buy Hyäne.