There’s something electric about stepping behind the scenes with another artist: new perspectives, wild stories, and the kind of hands-on wisdom you won’t find in a highlight reel. That’s why we launched Off the Record: to open the doors to creativity and let you eavesdrop on how music makers at every level find their spark.
Episode four takes us deep into the musical DNA of DJ Nu-Mark. Across decades, Nu-Mark (of Jurassic 5 fame) has built a legacy out of curiosity, collaboration, and the courage to do things his own way. The official episode—streaming now on YouTube—shows off his mastery and generous spirit.
In this companion post, we go deeper, uncovering exclusive insights, untold stories, and behind-the-scenes moments that didn’t make the final cut.
Keep reading to explore why Nu-Mark launched his own label, the family roots behind his Amu Nu project, cherished records, and more.
Meet DJ Nu-Mark: Roots, rhythms, and self-reliance
Before he was moving crowds around the globe with Jurassic 5, Mark Potsic, AKA DJ Nu-Mark (or Uncle Nu), was already immersed in music discovery, chasing sounds, stories, and deeper creative connection. Raised in Los Angeles, he absorbed inspiration from family, neighborhood scenes, and countless hours of crate digging.
His beats have powered tracks by artists like:
- J-Live;
- Aloe Blacc;
- Charles Bradley;
- Bumpy Knuckles.
For Nu-Mark, independence is everything. After years of navigating label contracts and learning the ropes, he took control and founded his own label, Hot Plate Records.
“I put out all my releases through my own imprint called Hot Plate Records. And Hot Plate isn’t designed to sign other artists. It’s just a way for me to get out my music, just because of the crazy musical landscape that we all live in now, with majors taking more and more percentage from artists. So I figured I just wanted an imprint to put out my own music—and there it is.”
With that freedom, Nu-Mark’s projects have grown even more inventive. He’s produced global mashups like Run for Cover and teamed up with Method Man on Zodiac Killer, a track rooted in his series of birthday-themed vinyl mixes.
But his creativity extends beyond beats. Most recently, Nu-Mark channeled his roots into Amu Nu, a hybrid cookbook, travel journal, and cultural tribute.
“My most recent release is a book I released called Amu Nu, paying homage to my Middle-Eastern roots—my Iranian Roots. And Amu Nu translates to ‘Uncle Nu,’ in Farsi. And it’s a cookbook-slash-travel guide for the best Middle-Eastern food … and so much more. Mainly a love letter to my family, honoring all my uncles and my mother and so on.”
For Nu-Mark, the studio and the kitchen are both places for improvisation, legacy, and love—a lesson any creator can relate to.
Building creative order: Nu-Mark’s studio philosophy
Walk into Nu-Mark’s creative space, and you’ll notice the balance right away: part organized lab, part joyful playground. He keeps tools, records, and instruments meticulously arranged (most of the time), and not just for show.
For Nu-Mark, the studio is a living, flexible environment where he can experiment freely, even when inspiration runs low, and where every object, no matter how quirky, might contribute to the process.
“This is my play yard. This is where I’m at mostly every day. Even if I’m not trying to create, I’m here touching and feeling, trying to just get inspired to do something. … [My] record collection is alphabetized, and sometimes I sample from it.”
Nu-Mark’s love for collecting goes beyond just records; it reaches for anything that makes an interesting sound.
“I collect anything that jingles, rattles—you know, I’m into that.”
He incorporates vintage technology, like tape machines, to bring warmth, dimension, and a rich analog texture to his tracks.
“The tape machine can add some body, you know, I think that’s the main difference. It can add some low-end body and, you know, people use the word ‘warmth.’ I don’t know if that’s the word for it for me. I actually hear depth, I hear—instead of a 2D image, I hear 3D if that makes any sense.”
At the heart of this approach is a commitment to play, even when life gets busy.
“Creativity for me is like being in a sandbox, just playing, being free. And it’s not easy to get to that point, you know, if you got bills to pay. … If you can get yourself in a playful mood, whether that be through meditation, talking to a friend that understands you, having some time alone, whatever— that’s the key step to creativity, because now your mind is open.”
Nu-Mark also stresses the power of staying organized as a foundation for growth.
“Organization for me is paramount. … The ones that I’ve seen really thrive have their stuff in order.”
His “sandbox” philosophy started early: watching his mom play hand cymbals, mimicking syncopated rhythms, and falling in love with drums before the age of ten.
“I got involved with music by basically watching my mom play the hand cymbals—the zills. She was a belly dancer when I was a kid. She had this real syncopated pattern she’d play over and over again. Then I got into drums around seven or eight years old.”
Covers: Rebuilding the familiar for growth
For Nu-Mark, reinventing songs isn’t simply about nostalgia; it’s a tool for growth and experimentation. Rather than cover classics early in his career, he’s flipped the script, exploring covers as a mature creative challenge.
“I’m leaning towards doing more cover records right now. Some people do cover records at the beginning of their career, and then they start writing music. I’m doing mine backwards for some reason.”
His approach? Total transformation.
“So I did this project called Run for Cover. … The idea was to take the song and flip it into a different genre, or flip it using different instrumentation, or make an instrumental and have, like, the trombone part, doing the lead vocal. Or, you know, flipping it into a Middle-Eastern version of the song, but making it still dance floor-ready.”
Cover tracks are a creative reset button, letting artists see familiar songs in a new and personal light.
“It’s been a really rewarding process because I’ve been learning … how to carve out sounds better. I’m becoming a better producer by doing it.”
Adapting technology: Plugins, habits, and leveling up
Like any modern producer, Nu-Mark adapts his process as tools and inspiration evolve. Lately, he’s dialed back releasing music to focus on deeper experimentation and technical growth.
“I’m going through a really big growth period and being very quiet while I’m doing it. I’m not putting out a lot of records ‘cause I wanna learn and I wanna experiment right now.”
One big shift? Expanding from sampling to full-on digital sound design.
“Lately I’ve been dealing only in plugins because I want to sharpen my skill as a producer without having to rely on samples. And that came about from doing motion picture work.”
Heirlooms & milestones: Personal history as creative fuel
Nu-Mark’s studio is more than a workspace. It is a living archive filled with family keepsakes, original artwork, and first records that inspire continuity and gratitude.
In one corner, Nu-Mark proudly displays his grandfather’s concertina, an heirloom that reflects his musical roots. As he shares memories of his grandfather playing by ear, it becomes clear how deeply these personal treasures shape his creative vision.
The space also houses his Zodiac Tracks project, released on a USB designed to look like an M44-7 turntable needle—his first record in this custom format. These preserved items serve as both inspiration and a reminder of where he comes from.
During the interview, Nu-Mark also recalled his first paid gig, in 1988.
“We DJ’ed on an ironing table. That’s how out of it we were. We didn’t even have crates for our records.”
Even Jurassic 5’s global breakthrough had its share of surprise and humility.
“We were just recording and working and recording and working and doing local shows, but it wasn’t really panning out yet. Uh, we didn’t have a deal. Record labels were kind of just not returning our calls. And we ended up playing a festival in Sweden. … And our manager … pulled the curtain open just a little bit to see the crowd. And we were like, ‘shut up, Dan, … that’s not our crowd.’ Like, it was—20 thousand people, or 15 thousand people out there.”
Curious about Nu-Mark’s dream collaboration wishlist? It’s centered around soulful vocalists with distinctive voices.
“I really wanna work with Brazil’s finest man, Seu Jorge. I have a cover idea that I want to do with him. I’m a big fan, and I’m a huge fan of baritones. ‘Cause the world isn’t producing any more baritones. I don’t know why.”
Wrap-Up: Growth by design, not by accident
DJ Nu-Mark’s journey goes beyond trends and formulas. It’s rooted in process, heritage, and a deep sense of freedom found through structure and curiosity. His approach blends playfulness with discipline, and constant learning with intentional preservation, giving him the space to evolve while staying true to himself.
The takeaway? Organize your tools, seek real inspiration, and build a mental or physical space where experimentation comes naturally. Those personal touches are what make your work original and keep it rewarding.
Stay grounded in your roots, but always explore new ways to express them. Whether it’s the studio, the kitchen, or the stage, each can be your sandbox. As Nu-Mark reminds us, if you stay open to growth, your creative path never really ends.
Dive deeper into DJ Nu-Mark’s creative world in Off The Record. Catch the exclusive episode on our YouTube channel!
