Name: Martin Mendoza aka Doc Martin
Nationality: American
Occupation: Producer, DJ, label founder at Wax
Current release: Doc Martin's remix of Jeremiah's "Moves" is out via Grow.
Recommendations for San Francisco, USA: Golden Gate Park is a must see. In Oceanside where I currently live, it’s always great to go to the beach and decompress.  
Topic I am passionate about but rarely get to talk about: I don’t have much time with running a record & clothing label, and touring. Obviously, I love traveling and exploring new places. Meeting new people, Being in nature, eating things I haven’t tried yet, learning about other cultures. Also navigating this lifestyle as I’ve been sober since the late 90s.

If you enjoyed this Doc Martin interview and would like to stay up to date with her music and current live dates, visit him on Instagram, Facebook, and bandcamp.   

For a deeper dive, read our earlier Doc Martin interview. 



Are there examples of minimalism in music – and outside of music - that impressed you early on?

I’ve always been drawn to music that isn’t overproduced and has edge to it. Everything from Reggae, Punk, Hip Hop, New Wave, Early Electro, House, Acid House, Techno, and beyond. Less has always been more to me.

Being from San Francisco, the city is a complete melting pot of people, sounds, and ways of life. When I first came to Berlin, it reminded me of San Francisco in the late 80s.

I loved that the vibe was free, and open.

Were you ever interested in minimalism as a style – from the Philip-Glass-variety to solo instrumental work to minimal techno? If so, tell me a bit about your interest in this.

I was into stuff like Brian Eno, Manuel Göttsching. WhenI heard E2-E4 it blew me away.

I would say the first time I heard true minimal techno was in 2000/2001. I was a resident at Fabric. Craig Richards, and I were into these records from Germany that wouldn’t have big breakdowns, but sounded, and felt so good on the dancefloor. You could make these records melt together with long mixes, that would create a ridiculously good soundscape.

When I moved back to the USA, I brought a lot of these records back with me.

[Read our Manuel Göttsching interview]
[Read our feature on E2-E4]
[Read our Brian Eno interview about climate change]

Do you tend to find that, as many claim, “less is more?” Are the notes you don't play really as important as the ones you do play?

It could go both ways. Less can be more when there’s intention behind the music. Meaning a kick drum, and bassline can go a very long way, when presented right.

Groove is a main component that has to be present for me.

Do you feel as that making music is a process of adding elements until it is done – or one where you chisel away pieces from something that is already there?

I tend to have many tracks on the screen and put them together like a puzzle. I will then start taking stuff out.

I’ll listen to the song a million, and a half times. I try to have all the parts have purpose, not just there to fill space.

I don’t consider myself a super producer, just a DJ who makes records.

Many artists are becoming more minimalist in their music as the years go on, focusing on the “essence.” How is that for yourself and how would you describe your development in this regard?

I think it’s good that people are giving the music space again to breathe. It gives the dancer time to get lost in the music and feel the groove.

I like 10 min tracks that take you somewhere. Not everything hast to be big 4min records. Saying that, sometimes you can really build momentum with those 4min tracks.

What were some of the starting points for your most recent release?

I just did a remix for Jeremiah from Grow Recordings, where I just had to update the original. So I just changed the drums, stripped the keys, and added an acid line halfway through for the dancers.

Most of the time I start with drums and bass elements. I would like every song for me to have a voice of it’s own. I love to mix genres.

How did a minimalist mindset possibly inform the creative process?

On songs like Philipp Gonzales' “Urban Pulse,” there are 3 or 4 elements. Which works in its own way.

Whereas something like Soul Shadow Feat George JJ Flores is a song with lyrics where things are stripped down.

Do you like to set yourself limitations? If so, which were some of those limitations for the new pieces?

I’m kind of an anything-goes-kind-of-guy. I will experiment with sounds.

That’s where maybe my upbringing comes in. In San Francisco it was an anything-goes vibe. Mixing elements of Reggae, with Acid house, and anything in-between.  
 


[Read our joeski interview]

Thanks to sampling and digital synthesis, there are endless possibilities for sculpting the sounds and overall sound design of a piece or album. What are your considerations in this regard?

I personally like it. I think you can get creative with it.

I tend not to take whole pieces of music, maybe a drum sound. Making something your own with original music on a classic vocal.



Would you say that you approach your creative tools with a minimalist mindset? Or do you need a wide choice of instruments and tools to make music?

I personally don’t need a ton of equipment. I like to really use what I have.

Once in a while I’ll work in another studio, and will be really impressed with a piece of equipment. I may look into getting it.



What were some of the most important pieces of gear or instruments for this release?

For analog I absolutely love my Studio Electronics SE-1 rack mount.

For digital I’ve got the full Arturia rig and effects. I like the Arturia stuff, because you can turn the keyboard around and repatch the sounds to make them your own. Also there are some modular features as well.

Reducing one's options and techniques often implies a different way of working with the materials. Tell me about yours, please.

I think it’s healthy to reduce your gear, or rotate it around for different projects. Really get the most out of your it.

Sometimes It will take me a long time to get on drum, or keyboard sound.



With so much incredible music instantly available, are you finding that you want to take it all in – or that you need to be more selective? How do you pick the music you really want to invest in?

That’s a tough question, as I get at least 50 promos a day. I’ve become more selective.

Focusing on playing stuff that most people won’t play. Whether it’s new, old, vinyl only or unreleased.

Would you say that minimalism extends into other parts of your life as well?

I would say even when I go away for a trip, I rarely bring more than a backpack or a small bag.

The more I live, I realize the less I need.