This week over on, Hinterhaus, there’s a brilliant long-read interview with someone very close to our hearts at SEVEN: Marcus L. It’s a deep dive into the mind of a creator who’s always pushing boundaries—someone who doesn’t just make music but studies it, questions it, and reinvents it.
For those who don’t already know, Marcus L was the executive producer behind our latest release, SEVEN7007 – ‘Vibez’ by Suman. He worked closely with Suman throughout the process, helping to shape the creative direction and polish the sound into something bold and unforgettable. But that’s just one part of a much bigger story.
In the new Hinterhaus article, Marcus gives a rare look into his current obsession: playing live techno sets using vintage reel-to-reel tape machines. Not vinyl, not digital, not even analogue with a modern twist—but honest-to-goodness magnetic tape, threading by hand between two spinning reels, just like in the 1970s.
“There’s no one else in the world doing this with techno and reel-to-reel tape. It’s been done with house music, which is a bit slower, but not like this. I have to beat match, layer, and adjust everything manually. It’s different. It’s faster. Very difficult.”
It’s more than just a gimmick. Marcus has spent over half a year learning how to source, rebuild and modify these machines himself. He fixes motors, marks transitions with bits of tape, memorises timings by watching mechanical counters, and mixes entirely by ear—because there’s no waveform or cue point to help him. One mistake, and the room goes quiet.
And yes, it’s terrifying. But that’s part of the point.
“I like the danger,” he says. “Every set will be different because there’s such room for error. And error makes it different each time.”
Marcus performed one of these sets at his own club in Seoul—Faust, which he built with DJs in mind—and had to fight through a moment where the beat completely collapsed. With a CDJ or laptop, he could’ve recovered instantly. But with reel-to-reel, he had to work the mix slowly back into sync by ear, using only pitch control. It took minutes.
“The room screamed,” he says. “Everyone was waiting for it to come back. When it finally matched again, it was this huge moment. I think they understood why it had happened. It’s reel-to-reel. It’s a very analog way to make techno music.”
The article paints a full picture of the man behind the tape decks, too. Marcus grew up in Seoul, moved to the UK to study, and eventually found Berlin, where he fell in love with club culture. He started small—gigs at bars like Mein Haus Am See—before making a name for himself at Suicide Circus and beyond. He went on to launch Ameniia Records, Kammer Radio, and later, his now-iconic Seoul venue Faust.
His connection to Berlin and to SEVEN is long-standing and heartfelt. He’s not just a collaborator, he’s part of the extended family. His involvement in SEVEN7007 – Vibez brought a focused ear and a high standard to the process. For Suman, it was a chance to work with someone who understands how music moves not just bodies, but feelings too.
“Marcus sees music as something bigger than just a track,” says SEVEN founder Glenn Elliott. “He thinks about how it’s played, how it feels in a room, and how it can challenge the DJ. That mindset really shaped the release in a special way.”
And now, Marcus is sharing that mindset even further. His reel-to-reel technique is becoming a Seedj Masterclass, available later this summer. In it, he’ll walk people through the method—from building the machines to crafting a live set. It’s not about nostalgia—it’s about reviving a craft and showing how hard-won, manual skills can still electrify a dance floor.
“I’m not trying to be a pioneer. This existed before. But no one’s doing it anymore. The younger generation forgot. I want to remind them. Maybe this is what I will leave behind.”
If you’ve ever been curious about how far you can push DJing—or just want to be inspired by someone going all-in on their passion—this one’s for you.
The full article also goes into Marcus’s life beyond the booth: growing up under family pressure, moving abroad, teaching English, joining the Navy, and opening a club while serving. He’s lived multiple lives and stayed true to his own sense of direction through all of them.
“Find something in your life that inspires intense focus,” his father once told him. “Find things you can be like a child with, things you enjoy so much that you can’t leave them alone. Whatever that is, that’s what you’re supposed to do.”
That quote sums up Marcus L perfectly. And it’s why we’re so proud to have him in the SEVEN universe.
Read the full interview now at Hinterhaus.berlin