Advertisement

Superstar DJ Mark Ronson on Speedos, Fiona Apple, Lexus, and Men’s Style

Mark Ronson posing with the new Lexus LC 500h. (Photo: Courtesy of Lexus)
Mark Ronson posing with the new Lexus LC 500h. (Photo: Courtesy of Lexus)

Good music and a hot car sounds like the ultimate road trip, no? Add some great luggage, and we’re all set. So what happens when Lexus launches its LC Coupé on the hedonistic island of Ibiza and gets favorite DJ of celebrities and fashionistas, Mark Ronson, to collaborate on some unique sounds for the guests? A good time, of course.

The Lexus “Make Your Mark” collaboration is all about the experience you get when you’re in the new car — which does feel like you’re sitting inside an Hermès bag because it’s so luxe.

We caught up with Ronson about his favorite summer tunes when he’s on the road (in his Lexus, of course) and what his no-no’s are when it comes to men’s style.

…and sometimes jk actually means JK. touching down in Ibiza 2 #experienceamazing with @lexuseurope this an #ad

A post shared by Mark Ronson (@iammarkronson) on May 15, 2017 at 12:38pm PDT

Yahoo Style: What is your go-to look when you are performing onstage or DJ’ing?

Mark Ronson: There is a different vibe when I am DJ’ing to playing music live. Because I came up DJ’ing in hip-hop clubs, there is something that feels a little ridiculous to me about DJ’ing in a suit unless I am at some fancy event when I have to dress up. I always feel like if I am not dressed slightly B-Boyish, it feels weird, especially if I am scratching; it feels weird in a designer suit that is a little tight. It changes the mood, and you want people to get crazy and have a good time. I love the way the people from the ’70s [dress], like Grandmaster Flash in his Adidas jumpsuit, and I usually have a bit of a modern take on that. When I am playing guitar, it’s slightly different. When we are on tour, there are so many musicians onstage you want everybody to have a bit of a uniform vision, whether it’s a pastel T-shirt under a suit. I did a couple of performances with Lady Gaga when she was launching her last record. For her, I felt I needed to dress it up a little because she is in some amazing rhinestone number. I mean, I am never going to be up to her level, but I try a little so I don’t make her look bad. So there’s a couple more sequins in there.

What are the top three songs you cannot do any long journeys without?

I would say Stevie Wonder’s “Superwoman (Where Were You When I Needed You),” something from Tame Impala, maybe from their second album, “Apocalypse Dreams” — that is a good driving song. And “Go With the Flow” from Queens of the Stone Age. You sort of want something that is, like, soothing and warm.

The new Lexus LC Coupé has a great sound system, perfect for blasting out tunes you don’t want anyone to hear. What is the guilty-pleasure song you play in the car when no one else can hear you?

Hmm … I wouldn’t say it was guilty because it’s actually an amazing album, but the second Fiona Apple album that came out about 15 years ago. The songs are obviously written from the point of view of a very angry woman about breakups, and they are such clever songs because the lyrics are so biting. But to see two dudes in a car on a road trip singing these songs at top of our lungs must be quite funny. Me and my friend were singing these hard-core estrogen anthems on our road trip to Vegas out of the window. It’s amusing to sing it out loud, and I know all the words to the second Fiona Apple album!

What do you think will be the summer tune of 2017?

I don’t really know because I haven’t been listening to so much new stuff, and as far as house and dance music, those are the genres I am not so up-to-date on at the moment. I am working on a bunch of new stuff that I am super-super-excited about, and I am not being coy or annoying about who I am working with, but I just don’t want to jinx it. But I am excited to be able to play that for the first time. I need to get my mind together and start prepping for the festivals and music I am going to be playing. I have to sometimes construct the set in my head because I play music that ranges — it’s not just one tempo, I have to figure out my transition and my arc, and I have to be aware of who I play after. I spend weeks preparing for the summer shows.

What in your opinion are fashion no-no’s for men in the summer?

It’s hard because every culture is different. I wouldn’t necessarily wear Speedos, but when you see a bunch of Italian men on the beach, it kind of looks normal. It’s just not for me! Also when you are in the airport in security and you see people already in flip-flops and shorts, I’m always like, “Hang on, mate, you’re not on holiday yet! You have a nine-hour flight!” I live in Cali now, so I am also becoming a little more forgiving about a few things than before.

Read more from Yahoo Style + Beauty:

What to Pack for Your Ultimate, Super-Chic Summer Road Trip
Men’s Summer Style Guide: 14 Items You Need This Season
5 Hot Beach Reads to Crack Open This Summer

Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest for nonstop inspiration delivered fresh to your feed, every day. For Twitter updates, follow @YahooStyle and@YahooBeauty.