MARK GAGE aka VAPOURSPACE
Mark Gage became known in the world of electronic music via a chance forwarding of a cassette of his tracks in early 1992 to then co-owner of legendary +8 Record's John Acquaviva by Gage's friend Tim Masick (who later co-produced and directed the Vapourspace "Gravitational Arch of 10" video), who thought Mark's music was similar to what +8 released. (This was before the Plastikman, Speedy J Ginger, Themes From Vapourspace second wave of +8). On the contrary, Acquaviva hated the tracks, but found something interesting in Gage's production style, urging him to continue his efforts.
Six months later, in late 1992, Gage had recorded what is now, the entire Cusp CD space+time liquids+metals (released later in 1995 on British label Swim, owned and operated by Wire band member and songwriting legend Colin Newman and his Israeli pop wife Malka Spigel). Gage forwarded these tracks to Acquaviva and his partner Richie Hawtin who released the first Cusp 12" on their offshoot label Probe in February of 1993, followed by the first Vapourspace 12" in May 1993.
Then came "Gravitational Arch of 10" which has had a life of it's own.
Named as one of URB Magazine's 20 most important techno tracks of the 90's, background music for MTV'S Road Rules and The Real World, sampled by Fatboy Slim on his Better Living Through Chemistry release, again on X-Press 2 and David Byrne's recent hit "Lazy", appropriated by Death in Vegas' DJ in their live set and mimicked in a drum and bass Cause 4 Concern song title and track. "Gravitational Arch of 10" and Vapourspace have become a signature song and style for Gage and pre-dated the now outdated trance phenomenon. "Vapourspace" has been used as an adjective in CD/record reviews, and Mr. C of The Shamen and his Plink Plonk Records partner Paul Ripp operated a club night in London called Vapourspace in the mid 90's (at which the real Vapourspace performed live in late 1994).
Vapourspace and Mark Gage have now released 3 full lengths, 1994's Theme From Vapourspace and 1997's Sweep, and the aforementioned Cusp full length, space+time liquids+metals in 1995, as well as various one-off tracks under the guise of Carl Marks (with long-time friend Carl German) and under his own given name.
Gage's remix career has spanned the gamut, from German legend Oliver Lieb's LSG project in 1994 (the remixes were later licensed in the UK to Madonna's Ray of Light producer William Orbit's Guerilla Records), techno mavens Air Liquide, the UK's Juno Reactor...to Deutsche Grammaphon's classical artist Todd Levin (with the London Symphony Orchestra), Throbbing Gristle alumni Chris + Cosey, smack rockers The Meat Puppets (featured on the soundtrack to the Pamela Anderson film Barb Wire, Gage's Meat Puppets remix actually got some on-air props and airplay from KROQ's Jason Bentley). In early 2002, Sonic Residue From Vapourspace was released on prog rock label Magna Carta, and featured Gage's electronic remix work of their label roster which included such rocker notables as Terry Bozzio (Frank Zappa, Missing Persons), Tony Levin (Peter Gabriel, King Crimson), Steve Morse (Dixie Dregs, Deep Purple), Steve Stevens (Billy Idol), Dennis Chambers (Parliament/Funkadelic), Billy Sheehan (Mr. Big), Tim Alexander (Primus), and Steve Howe (Yes).
Outside of the studio, Mark has performed live with the likes of Orbital (opening for them nearly 40 times on three separate tours), Aphex Twin, The Crystal Method, Moby, and shared billing with far too many DJ's at parties to list. Gage's DJing style involves sound collaging with four sound sources (two turntables and two loopable CD players) using beats, tracks, spoken word, film dialogue, soundtracks, and sound effects to shape the vibe.
It was Gage's "live gear and live sound only, no taped performances" live PA mindset that led to his meeting one Dimitri Fergadis in San Francisco in November of 1993, when Fergadis drove up from LA for the electronic music event See The Light Tour/Circa '93 which Gage performed at. The LA date, scheduled for the previous evening, had been cancelled at the last minute, complete with post-Rodney King riot police. This meeting started the long-time friendship between Mark and Phthalo label owner, Fergadis, who will be releasing Gage and Michelle "Punisher" Herrmann's Mimi+Boyd Angular Island full-length CD and 12" single in October 2002.
Crazy how paths cross.