Our Marbella People Interview today is with:
Ricky Maard – Web Designer and DJ
Ricky Maard is a professional web designer and part-time musician (DJ/producer) living in Coin, 25km inland from Marbella. Apart from offering internet services to clients, Ricky has been an avid lover of psytrance music which even tempted him to produce his own albums.
Ricky Maard has been on the coast for over 7 years and as well as producing his own techno, trance and electronic music, works as a part time dj and internet programmer.
How long have you lived in Spain and how long is your business established?
Ricky Maard: 7 years. I had a few different projects running since arriving. The first was a gift and arts shop in Fuengirola. That lasted about two years. After I managed to sell the premises I needed a break from the noisy town life so we, me and my then girlfriend, moved up to a tiny village in the Ronda Mountains.
From there I managed a Man and Van business for a while which had me driving along the Costa del Sol picking up deliveries and people. Very interesting since I got to meet people from all walks of life making new contacts and friends.
Now I live in Coin, 25km inland from Marbella. I work with Internet web design and as a part time DJ/producer. The music bug hit me again after splitting up with my x, so I took up the music more seriously again.
Though I managed to produce one album during the first 3 years on the Costa, at home on spare time. Played keyboards in a local reggae band, played synthesizer sound effects together with dj’s on festivals among other things.
I also managed to produce two albums with my own music released during 2007, ‘Xen Breaks’ and ‘Cosmic Embryo Electronica’.
The web programming keeps me going economically when I’m not playing.
Why did you choose Marbella?
Ricky Maard: I didn’t, to put it short, though my activities seem to bring me there quite often. I spent much time in Marbella where I know a lot of people, clubs and bars. I played there as well as doing dj gigs.
Tell us your greatest business or personal accomplishment?
Ricky Maard: Selling 100.000 ton (= 100.000.000 kg) of coking-coal to a Swedish steel mill. We negotiated it from a Russian mine. This was when I worked together with a commodity trader in Finland year 1991, just after the borders to Russia opened up for foreign trading. It was sort of a ‘wild west’ thing going on in Helsinki at the time.
Well, sticking to the music side of life I guess it was cracking the producing quality code with computers. In the sense of that I achieved how to produce almost record studio quality psytrance music with a computer alone. This is invaluable to me and my production since I now can produce my own music to be played on big sound-systems when I dj.
Why would you recommend the Costa del Sol for business and Lifestyle?
Ricky Maard: The climate, both socially and weather wise. People tend to be very relaxed and comfy here. The sea, mountains as well as the Spanish town life is a very inspiring environment to wake up to every morning.
If you could change one thing about Spain, what would it be?
Ricky Maard: A few more clouds in the summer.
Describe yourself in 3 words.
Ricky Maard: Persistent, reliable and individual.
What is your favourite Restaurant in Marbella?
Ricky Maard: Ohm Cafe
What is the last film you saw at the Cinema or DVD?
Ricky Maard: Zeitgeist
What advice would you give to someone moving to Spain?
Ricky Maard: If you can afford it, wait one year and get used to what is going on here before you start your dream business. It might just be that many others already tried exactly the same type of venture and failed due to saturation or too much competition.
Name one other business you would recommend on the Costa Del Sol and why?
Ricky Maard: Any business related to healthy and alternative living. The type of people moving here often already made the choice to change their life style. Lots of potential in helping them further on the path towards well being by offering sound choices.
Ricky Maard runs Qubenzis Psy Audio
Presenting an absolutely original psycho-acoustic music experience based on Qubenzis Psy Audio produced songs. Dj sessions are aimed at dancing as much as for listening. Psytrance is breaking into the mainstream with bands like Infected Mushroom and Astrix. We also offer a private party ground (5000W sound system & bar) 5 min outside Coin town which can be rented or shared for music events.
Contact Ricky Maard
Visit Ricky Maard ‘s website for more information: http://qubenzis.com
