MC-  Canada looks at Billboard (Music Charts) and they copy what’s going on in the (United) States.  That’s the way of doing business.  Let’s see what the U.S. is doing.

JB- What do you think of that?

MC-  It’s bullshit.  Canada is Canada.

JB-  What should Canada be doing to separate itself from that?

MC-  It’s the decisions the radio stations are making - the idiots working at radio stations.  It’s easier for them to read Billboard and not to take risks.  But wake up call, dudes, because right now people are doing their research themselves and if they’re not happy with the music you put on radio, they’ll create their own radio which is a burnt CD.

JB- And the Internet.

MC- Yeah, that too.  They’ll go to a specialized Internet station that they love somewhere around the world.  Right now, the people working for radio stations, they have to be top of the line.  They have to be on top of everything.  They have to take chances.  No more like the 80s when we used to look at Billboard and copy what they’re doing.  Now if you don’t take chances, you’re dead.  That’s why specialized shows like mine count because that’s a way of taking chances.  You put the MC Mario show on your station, oh and then suddenly, on Saturday you’re hip.  You’re taking chances.  People hear something they won’t hear anywhere else.  Correct me if I’m wrong, but I think that’s the nature of Internet – people are smarter, people spend a lot of time on the Internet.  If the radio station doesn’t go in the same direction they are going to die.

JB-  The Internet has a lot of influence on what the markets want.

MC- Exactly.

JB- You developed your own record label, as you mentioned, Tycoon Records.  What prompted you to do that?  Was it because of the way the music industry was going?

MC-  I started Tycoon because at some point it was easier for me just to turn around and to cut out all the red tape from the major record company I was signed to back in the day.  You see, I would make a deal with someone overseas at eight o’clock at night or at six in the morning.  I didn’t have to double check with ABC to go XYZ.  I would do whatever I wanted, when I wanted.

JB-  In terms of the entertainment business, I know you’re a Canadian Hall of Fame Dancer.  Tell me about receiving that honour.

MC-  ...You get voted by your peers and you enter that circle and they send you a certificate.  But there’s no big cheque coming along with it.  (laughing)  It’s just a way of saying thank you from the whole industry.  It’s nothing major.  I remember when it happened I thought like almost “I’m not finished yet.  Hey wait a minute.”  I was looking at some of the other people that were inducted and most of them are finished with their career.  At the time I felt it was a bit premature.  But they explained to me what it was and then I understood.  I did a lot during the time I was there and it was enough to get there, I guess.

JB-  You’re known around the world.  I know your radio show is heard in Australia and other countries.  And I’m sure anyone who’s been to a club has danced to your music, even if they didn’t realize it.  So what is it about your style that’s so hot?  What is it that gets people going?

MC-  When I’m selecting music from other people for my packages or for radio, it’s just a gut feeling that you have that you select the best of the best for your market.  You know, you hear things and you say “Oh, this is going to work well in Canada.”  It’s like something you feel.  When I produce stuff from A to Z, then I really try to put on the dance floor the word energy.  I’m not the kind of guy that is going to do anything loungey or anything middle of the road.  It’s always straightforward energy-packed.

JB-  And the energy continues on your radio shows.  On your website we can hear the shows live.  If someone was to stop over and listen to your show, what will they hear?

MC-  If they listen to “The Mixdown”, it’s a top 10 of the best house tracks or club tracks playing at this moment.  It reflects what’s going on in Canada and naturally since the show has moved out of this country, I had to adjust, then you get even more of what’s going on.  It’s simple, if you’re going to clubs you’ll know most of the tracks.  If you don’t go to clubs at least it gives you a chance to stay connected.

JB- What is different about the music in Canada than in other countries?

MC- In the UK in every major city you’ll have one, two, maybe three (radio stations) playing that type of music 24 hours a day.  Here in Canada nobody does that.  It would be hard to have a dance or club or house station in Montreal because there’s so many stations out there and for some reason in the UK, the market is so much bigger.  They still sell singles.  And on the big ones they are going to sell 250,000 singles.  Here you’re lucky if you sell 250 singles.  The scene is way bigger.

JB-  If that’s the case, why stay in Canada?  Why not go overseas?

MC-  I guess I’m an idiot. (laughing)  I get offers for spinning outside of Canada way bigger than what I get here for one night.  But I love this country.  I was born here.  (I’ve) been trying to build the scene here for so many years I would feel like shit just to leave it there and just say “Bye bye.”  But also there’s all kinds of stuff.  The family aspect – I have a 13-year-old kid.  He loves Quebec, he plays hockey.  I have my own club here now in Montreal.