He may not know the difference between Dublin and Belfast (see Below) but thankfully he does know his 808's from his 909's. Currently signed to Leftroom Recordings with the massive 'Root Rot', Marc Ashken chats to ATL...

ATL: Let's get started then. First musical memory?
Probably listening to blues with my dad in the car when I was 4 or 5, after that listening to my dads friend's play guitar in the park near where we lived.

ATL: Have you ever played Ireland and if so where, when and how was it for you?
Aye, I've played a couple of times, once for Twitch in Dublin, another for a couple of nights in Derry, one was a night run by Steven Porter, he was the 1st to book me over there a few years back b4 anyone had really heard of us. Well nice guy. Twitch contacted me the other day about bookin me in Dublin again in the 1st half of the year. Am lookin forward to comin back over, everyone is well nice over there.

ATL: Now, what prompted you to get fully involved in dance music?
A love for what I do combined with a pathalogical laziness and a loathing for real work lol ;)

ATL: What's been your best clubbing experience?
Too many to mention, the Robert Johnson beach party last summer and then Robert Johnson after has to be up there tho. Ricardo played a jaw dropping set on the beach and then Dorian Paic at the club afterwards was a real education in music for me. Grass roots techno, was amazing.

ATL: We regret to inform you that your house is on fire, you can only carry one piece of vinyl or CD out, what will it be?
A signed gatefold of Darkside of the Moon, I payed a £100 for it off eBay and its signed by all 4 original members in pink ink lol.

ATL: For non dance music, what are you listening to at the mo?
A lot of Pete Doherty, but mainly older bands like Nirvana, Guns n Roses etc, I listen to a lot of old soul too, Al Green, some Aretha, a bit of Bill Withers lol. Recently rediscovered Michael Jackson too, Id forgotten just how good Quincy's production is, he's a real inspiration to me.

ATL: So, do you have any famous DJ mates and if so, who, and what are they really like? Go on you can tell us...
Haha nice try :)

ATL: What is really the best club in the world?
That I've been to, either Robert Johnson in Frankfurt, Arena in Berlin, or obviously our beloved Fabric, Fabrics sound system s**ts on anything else I've ever heard b4, and Craig Richards is a living god, and it's on my doorstep lol so it probably pips the other 2 for me.

ATL: Your criminal record - whats the worst piece of music ever played out?
Happy Birthday by Stevie Wonder, not that its a bad piece of music, just stupidly cheesy, gotta have a bit of room for some cheese tho hey lol.

ATL: Who is the best DJ in the world and why?
Craig Richards, easily, the guy is so diverse and i've never heard him play the same track twice. 90% of what he plays I havent a clue what it is, i'd love to have a dig thru his record collection. He's also a really humble and down to earth bloke, I think he represents what I aspire to in this industry.

ATL: And when will we see you again then?
Sometime before June hopefully, keep checkin my myspace for details as to the exact date as i've not received confirmation yet :)

ATL: Now before you go, give us your top five tunes of the moment.
Mixworks - Believer
Fris and Obtane - Little Drunken Devil (SozAdams Remix)
House of Black Dress - Gotahavejor Love
Franklin De Costa - Lazy Monday
Somore - I Refuse (Ashken Edit)