C-Lekktor has become one of the most important bands in the Latin American and global electro scene. Marco Antonio Barrientos (Markko) is the mastermind behind C-lekktor, who also has his parallel projects like Circuito Cerrado and Kromak. We had the opportunity to interview him for our magazine.

**GGM: >** Hello Markko! and welcome to “Gothic Girl Magazine.” First of all, congratulations on all these years in the electro scene and on an excellent career. Let’s start with the first question. C-lekktor began in the year 2000, did you have any prior musical experience, or was C-lekktor your first project? What was the initial inspiration behind C-lekktor when you formed it?

**MB: >** Hey, it’s a pleasure to be with you ;),,, officially C-LEKKTOR started in 2004. Before that, everything was experimentation. Prior to that, I was only a DJ under the name C-LEKKTOR for several years. That’s where the name comes from; a DJ SELECTS the music for their sets, so it’s a SELECTOR ;).. One day, I simply got the idea in my head to make my own songs. With very limited equipment (a couple of KORG Electribes), I began creating what is now the band.

**GGM: >** After more than 20 years of formation, how would you best describe your music?

**MB: >** MMM good question, but even after 20 years of composing, I don’t think I could describe it. I would even say that the songs I make are approximations of what’s in my head. Let’s say it’s the closest thing to the ideas that emerge during the composition process and the resulting sound.

**GGM: >** Who are the current members of C-lekktor?

**MB: >** Currently, JAMIE NOVA and DIMITRI BERZERK are the ones supporting me live with the band.

**GGM: >** Generally, what are the lyrics of C-lekktor’s songs about?

**MB: >** I think most of my songs are about self-criticism of humanity, about what we really are and what we can never be. On the other hand, they deal a bit with the imposition of love and my small obsession with death.

**GGM: >** Markko, as the mastermind behind C-lekktor, could you explain the process of writing a song?

**MB: >** I really like to work without pressure and without setting deadlines for myself. I simply compose as I feel the need to express or capture an idea. I don’t set rules or techniques when composing. It can start from a simple loop, a bassline, or a melody that’s spinning in my head. I’m really very messy when I start making music, but at the same time, it gives me a lot of freedom to play with the sounds or lines I want to follow in each song.

**GGM: >** Now, let’s get to know some of your influences. If you could name your 6 favorite bands of all time, which ones would they be?

**MB: >** Ufff, there have been so many, but I’ll simply name the ones I commonly mention every time I’m asked this question because they are and have been for a long time. I could name HOCICO, LEATHER STRIP, WUMPSCUT, FRONT 242, SUICIDE COMMANDO, YELWORC, AMGOD, and JORGE REYES. All of them definitely make it into my top bands.

**GGM: >** It seems you never run out of ideas when it comes to music. So, tell us a bit about your side project, Circuito Cerrado.

**MB: >** Well, the reality is that I separated those influences or genres that I also like and that were getting into the sound of C-LEKKTOR. I reached a point where it became a mix that was no longer part of the original sound. Genres like hardstyle, hardcore, rhythm and noise were more directed towards CIRCUITO CERRADO, and some like psytrance, uplifting, and progressive trance were for KROMAK. The truth is that I like so many genres of electronic music that I would like to include them in the sound of C-lekktor, but it would be something else, so I try to manage them separately.

**GGM: >** What is your favorite C-lekktor album of all time?

**MB: >** Ahhh, none, haha, it’s complicated for me because you know the creation process of an album becomes repetitive and tedious. First, you listen and listen to a song you’re composing, then when writing the lyrics, and finally in the final production. So you listen to the songs hundreds of times, not counting all the details that make you work extra. At the end of the day, I just want to hear anything but C-LEKKTOR. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t think my music is bad; I just get saturated with it.

**GGM: >** In 2004, the first C-lekktor album “Re-A-Gression” was released. What do you think when you listen to the old material?

**MB: >** A little embarrassed, hahaha. Nah, the truth is I like to be able to listen and realize that I’ve gone from less to more in all musical aspects, from composition to production. Unfortunately, I no longer have the original files of those songs from the first demo, but I would like to release a new version of RE-A-GRESSION. Maybe someday I’ll do it.

**GGM: >** After more than 20 years of C-lekktor, how have you matured as a musical artist and producer?

**MB: >** I think I’ve refined my ear, and that’s something that takes a lot of time, practice, and knowledge. I feel very satisfied with what I’ve learned over all this time.

**GGM: >** What’s next for C-lekktor? What is your goal for your next new album?

**MB: >** Oh yes, unfortunately for the people, a new C-LEKKTOR album is on the way. I’m still in the early stages, but I’m already working on it.

**GGM: >** And finally, we’ve reached the end of the interview. I would like to thank you for your time. Any final comments you would like to say?

**MB: >** Of course, a thousand thanks to all of you and the people who have followed us for so long. I hope to meet you all along the way to express my most sincere gratitude. Greetings, guys!

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