Love is Bigger: Dark Intensity Interview

Original Story by Aaron J. Sams (2018-06-25)

Originally Posted: June 20, 2018 | Updated: June 25, 2018

Dark Intensity is an alias for producer Manny Martinez from Anaheim, California. Dark Intensity is one of the DJs who recently worked on a remix of U2’s “Love is Bigger Than Anything in its Way,” released this past Friday, June 15, 2018. Titled the “Dark Intensity Remix,” the track was issued for promotion only, and at this time there are no announced plans for a commercial release.


IMAGE: Poster for “Love is Bigger” Event featuring Dark Intensity (Click to enlarge, Photo courtesy of Citrusonic)

Dark Intensity is also the featured DJ at a newly announced event for Pride in Anaheim, California being held on July 6, 2018. The event is being held to celebrate Pride and is being held in honor of U2’s new single, “Love is Bigger Than Anything in its Way”. The event will also feature limited giveaways of posters, and fans, similar to those we reported on last month.

Dark Intensity sat down with us to answer a few questions, talk about his work with U2, and also share news of another remix of “Love is Bigger” that he has worked on. The interview starts after the video:


VIDEO: “Love is Bigger Than Anything in its Way” (Dark Intensity Remix)

What can you tell us about Dark Intensity?

Dark Intensity: Dark Intensity is just one person, Manny Martinez. I am from Anaheim California born and raised. I’ve been producing music since the year 2000.

Could you tell our audience about some of the artists you have remixed?

Dark Intensity: I have worked on projects for artists such as Enrique Iglesias, Rihanna, Paris Hilton, MK,  Lady Antebellum, Flo-Rida, Mel B (from The Spice Girls) to name a few.

Are you a U2 fan? Do you have a favorite song? A favorite remix?

Dark Intensity: I am a U2 fan actually, I love “Beaufiful Day” and “With or Without You.”

Is this your first time working with U2?

Dark Intensity: This is the first time I have worked with them, and I hope to work with them again.

How does it feel to work with a band of U2’s stature?

Dark Intensity: It’s pretty amazing working with a band of this magnitude, it’s definitely a dream come true because this was a band I grew up listening to and always admired. 

How did you get involved in the remix for “Love is Bigger”? When were you first approached? When did you start working on the mix?

Dark Intensity: Maria and Orlando from Citrusonic contacted me. They have hired me previously, on a project back in 2012. They liked my work and asked if I wanted to be a part of the remix project. Without hesitation, I jumped on this and gave it my all. I was very happy with the way the remix turned out. I made 2 different remixes, 1 under my Dark Intensity alias and one as my other alias “Aximize“ (which is pending approval).

Did you receive both vocal and instrumental elements?

Dark Intensity: I was sent vocal parts and a reference track to work off of, I didn’t need any instrument parts, I had everything I needed just with that.

Did what U2 gave you to start the project work from the start? Was it a challenging remix?

Dark Intensity: I personally thought this project was challenging, because the original song was in a very slow tempo, so there was quite a bit of work such as vocal time-stretching and adjustments in the overall arrangement of the song.

Was there any guidance from the band as to what type of mix was wanted?

Dark Intensity: There wasn’t much guidance as to what specific style of remix the band wanted, I was given the liberty to come up with pretty much anything that had high energy and relevance to today’s remix styles.

What was the process after the mix was finished to get the track approved? Did you have to wait long for a response?

Dark Intensity: There was a point where I thought I may have not made the cut, as the feedback was not being relayed over to me soon. I ended up waiting about 3-4 weeks before I got any feedback on my first remix. They liked everything about the remix. I was asked to revisit the mix to make some minor adjustments.

Did you do just one version of the mix? Or did you do multiple mixes? What made your final version stand out?

Dark Intensity: I produced 2 versions, I think my final one sticks out because it has a really catchy drop. It preserves the original integrity of the song with similar chord combinations but with a get up and move type of vibe. I used an amazing vocal tool in which I can use samples of the original stems to be used as a synth instrument.

At this point over 30 remixes have been released for “Love is Bigger.” How does yours stand out? Have you listened to the others? Do you have a favorite?

Dark Intensity: I’ve listened to other remixes and I think they are all so different from each other, which is the best outcome to have in a promotional remix package. I personally like the Cheat Codes remix with the new verses. It adds a really different perspective, a new emotion and atmosphere.

Why do songs today get so many remixes? Is there a reason behind it?

Dark Intensity: I think its important to have several remixes in a remix package because there are lots of different tastes in music out there and with the ever-evolving genres, it reaches out to an even bigger audience.

If you had a chance to go back and remix any U2 song is there any track you would choose?

Dark Intensity: If this were to happen, I would love to remix “With Or Without You” as this captures lots of memories in my life and it would totally be an honor to have such opportunity.

You recently performed with Paul Oakenfold, who has worked with U2 a number of times on projects, and has even toured with the band. Were you working on the U2 project when you appeared with Paul? Did you have any discussions with him regarding U2?

Dark Intensity: When I was performing with Paul Oakenfold, I still had no idea about the remix package. In fact I had no idea Paul was doing anything with U2 until a few weeks ago.

What projects do you have coming up?

Dark Intensity: Right now, I am working on an original track called “Take Me Higher” and finishing up several official remixes for various artists.

Where can people find you on the internet? Where can people find out more information about your career?

Dark Intensity: You can find Dark Intensity music on all music platforms, and you can connect with me on Facebook, Twitter and on Soundcloud.darkintensity.com


VIDEO: “Love is Bigger Than Anything in its Way” (Aximize Remix)

This is our sixth interview with the DJs and producers involved in remixing “Love is Bigger Than Anything in its Way.” For the previous interviews please see the links below:

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