60 seconds with...Mark Ronson

With his album 'Version' dominating stereos all across the land, Mark Ronson is dropping into Creamfields, taking place in Daresbury Estate, Halton, on Saturday 25th August, to peddle his distinctive brand of freaky funk covers and horn-heavy indie soul.
Before that, he drops the Kaiser Chiefs version 'Oh My God' (featuring Lily Allen) on 16th July. DJmag cornered him to get the score on the funk, live shows and why NYC is cooler than London...

You've become known for your indie covers, done in a fatback funk style. Who are some of your favourite funk bands?

"The first funk bands that I really got into as a kid were the Meters and The Average White Band. When the first Brand New Heavies album came out, that really changed my musical outlook as well. That's what sent me back looking for all the great rare groove stuff like Roy Ayers and Faze-O and on and on."

What can we expect from your live set at Creamfields?

"The live set has been great so far. We play a lot of stuff from 'Version', as well as some surprises. The band is super tight, we've got Scotland's own The Haggis Horns on brass, Stuart Zender on bass, as well as Daniel Merriweather and Alex Greenwald on vocals among others. Wale, a phenomenal new rapper from DC, and Tawiah, an incredible singer from here, are the upcoming talent that make up the show."

You've collaborated with a diverse range of artists, from Ghostface to Lily Allen. If you could collaborate with anyone else, who would it be?

"There's no-one alive that I'm breaking my neck to work with. There are some incredible artists that I listen to - like Richard Swift, LCD Soundsystem and Queens of the Stone Age, but that doesn't necessarily mean that I need to work with them. I'd rather stay working with undiscovered talent."

You were born in London but grew up in New York City. Name one reason why New York kicks London's arse...

"New York is a 24-hour town as far as food and nightlife go. If I'm leaving the studio at 2am, I can always count on getting something good to eat."

What's next on the menu?

"Me and Daniel Merriweather are in the studio on any day off that we have from touring, working on his upcoming album (which will be staggeringly tremendous).
"I also just finished a remix of Bob Dylan's 'Most Likely You'll Go Your Way and I'll Go Mine' for his upcoming greatest hits record. It's the first time he's given someone the original multi tracks to mess with. Hopefully, the man himself will like it."