Bangkok Etcetera Magazine - Tuesday, February 01, 2005

She’s been “mixing up” the best since 1991. Since then, she has played for party dancers around the globe, from small clubs to raves of more than 2,000-bring her inimitable highly individual Marusha DJ Set as reviewers call them. Now, she’s in Bangkok.

Marusha, the Queen of Techno, comes to Bangkok for two things she does best; mix music and speak about her passion for peace. The award-winning German artist, who is broadcast weekly on Berlin’s Rave Satellite radio and appears regularly on German youth telly, is doing a speaking engagement for the International Peace Foundation on Feb. 14-16 and holding a one-night only concert on Feb. 16 at the Concept CM2 of Novotel Bangkok on Siam Square.

Her visit is not only timely – considering her the concerts of several international stars have been cancelled in the afternoon of the tsunami tragedy – but also significant considering it is part of the project “Bridges: Dialogues Towards a Culture of Peace.” Perhaps a clear sign that techno and rave culture (definitely the culture for today’s youth) is now accepted as embodying the Zeitgeist of our time? Anyway, as a progeny of rock n’ roll, techno music – as proponents like Peter Rubin pointed out – has been founded on social relevance.

Whatever, Marusha comes at a time when Bangkok is finally catching up with the musical realities abroad and international techno rave icons are being brought over by chic new clubs to raise awareness of techno house music.

Marusha’s amazing career began in 1991 in Berlin with her radio program on station DT64’s “Dancehall.” There was no stopping her rise to the top since then. In 1994, she recorded the ground-breaking “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” which became her biggest hit ever and earned her a platinum award. Never before had a techno track reached such a high chart rating. Then followed, “It Takes Me Away,” another gold winner and “Raveland,” her debut album, which is still one of the most popular dance albums of all time. Soon she was winning awards on after another: VIVA Comet, Best Techno Act, Echo Award, and Best National Female Artist. She has also been nominated for MTV’s Best Female Artist Award in front of the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin. The rest as they say is history.

Today, Marusha sets the tone for trend-setting parties in the techno house scene both in Germany and abroad. Her tracks continue to top the charts and her music continues to evolve and mature-enveloping hip hop and new wave in techno form. We can even say her music is bridging the age gap because it is appreciated by both young and old. Whether you are into house, techno or hip hop – if you love parties – this is a gig for you