Most dance producers start off their career DJ-ing. However, Mark Otten, one of the most recent revelations in the music industry in Europe comes from a musician's side: his parents both were involved in music making, which meant plenty of instruments at hand as well as lots of positive stimulation. Born in The Netherlands in 1978, multi-instrumentalist Mark, started out as a drummer but soon expanded his interests to more melodic instruments: he now plays drums, guitars and keyboards. At the same time he studies Business Engineering at University. At an early age Mark started playing in bands and workshops. Next to that, he was immediately captured by the power of house music when this emerged. A synthesizer presented the first way to record songs and soon after that the computer offered new possibilities to make productions. At a high-school gig he was noticed by Jim Vägen (of Magica, Darkpalace and Phunky Tec Brothers fame) who thereafter started showing him the ins and outs of producing and the music business. They became close friends and the result was several early releases with a techno edge. Now Mark is ready to conquer the scene with his first love: melodic and emotional music, this time in the form of trance with a progressive drive. However, his interests go far beyond trance, so expect plenty of diversity. His melodic music got its first real chance when Armin van Buuren started spinning Mark's Lightscape remix of "Mushroom Therapy", a collaboration with another friend Martijn van Oers. "Mushroom Therapy" is signed to Armada's Armind imprint. With several productions waiting to be released by various recording houses, such as Armada and Black Hole and BMG as his publishing partner, Mark Otten is one of the most prestigious and talented young European producers. You will surely enjoy more of his music soon.