Marc Houle

Marc Houle (born 1972 in Windsor, Ontario) is a Canadian live act and producer of electronic music.

He is considered a live act and not a DJ, since he uses elements of his own productions to create his sets, as well as tracks that he has remixed.

Houle came to fame under his first album, Bay of Figs, which was released on Minus.

He is most known for being a techno artist, and as part of the core group of artists on Minus before moving on to create his own record label Items & Things with fellow Minus friends, Magda and Troy Pierce.

Houle was largely inspired by the Detroit techno and Chicago house scene as well as new wave music, and the first generation of video games that championed electronic sounds.

He often describes his sound as a cross between the two cities, Chicago and Detroit.

Some of his other influences include Prince, Depeche Mode, Black Sabbath and Iron Maiden.

His sound can be described as a blend of his Chicago and Detroit influences with a good measure of new wave synth sounds.

Propelling sounds of the future yet at the same time casting a reminiscent light on 80's synths and video game music, Houle's productions give him a sound that sets him apart in the electronic music industry.

Houle was born and raised in Windsor, Ontario, Canada.

Growing up in a musical family, he started early to play around with musical instruments such as piano and guitar, and owned his first set of drums at the age of four.

At the age of fourteen, he began exploring synths with his first Casio keyboard, on which he would eventually record on.

For ten years, Houle was the drummer of a local Canadian rock band with regular small gigs in nightclubs all over Ontario.

In 1991, he bought his first Roland JX-3P.

Being attracted by the new sounds of electronic music, Houle would often head into nearby Detroit to experience the famous warehouse parties, where a range of DJs would play a mix of Chicago house and Detroit techno.

Houle began his career as a graphic designer, quitting university in 1992 to focus on his own company called "Outputs", one of the first web design companies at the time.

His next company, Redchalk, did work for the automotive industry located in the nearby area of Detroit, ranging from graphics and animation work to even music production.

Both of Houle's brothers are also graphic designers to this date; Dave Houle carried on to be the designer for Minus for many years.

Until today, Marc Houle still does a lot of photography and his own video graphics.

During his residency at Richie Hawtin's club 13 Below in Windsor (ON), Houle would "DJ" Electro and new wave music in the sense of radio DJing.

He mentions in an interview that he does not "DJ" and never envisions himself doing so.

Magda and Houle then became friends while playing at 13 Below.

She became interested in Houle's productions and would eventually play Houle's tracks in her DJ sets.

Richie Hawtin, having heard them, inquired as to their producer.

At this point in time, Hawtin was beginning his work on his second label, Minus.

Soon after, Houle's tracks were released on Minus and he became a part of the team.

Around 1997, Houle and his friend Scott Souilliere ran the gaming night, "Atari Adventures" at Richie Hawtin’s club, 13 Below in Windsor.

He met Magda, who was another fellow resident at the club.

They became friends, going to the same shows between Windsor and Detroit.

At the time, Magda started to tour with Richie Hawtin as opening act, and played stripped down edits of Houle’s tracks.

Afterwards, Hawtin invited him to be on his Minus label.

Living together in Windsor, Magda would guide Houle’s productions into being club friendly, while Houle would retain a separate synth version for himself.

Although Houle’s first EP wasn't released until 2004, he was constantly producing music at his home in Windsor.

He would collect synths and new equipment to make music on from the pawn shops of Detroit.

Houle enjoyed making new wave music that was a blend of electro, being a huge fan of the new wave synth lines.

During that time, he also made video game music, for which his moniker "Run Stop Restore" was inspired by the key presses on a Commodore 64.

After putting out his first record, Restore, on Minus in 2004, Houle began touring as a live act.

One of his first performances was in Detroit, followed by a performance at the club "Happy Ending" in New York City alongside Mike Servito on Saturday, August 28, 2004.

In April - May 2006, Houle participated in the vigorous 50 date "min2MAX tour" to celebrate the Minus "min2MAX" compilation of minimal techno.

Houle's track, "Simpler" is part of the compilation.