One of our fastest rising underground stars releases his highly anticpated new album
Hey Miguel, finally we tie you down! DMC have massive roots in Hip Hop which is were your DJ journey began in youth clubs. Who were the artists you were spinning on the wheels of steel back then…?
“Back then I was playing stuff by artists like Funkdoobiest, Cypress Hill, Onyx, Digital Underground, Black Moon, Das EFX etc. I always used to drop lots of Soul & R&B cuts in between it all, by various artists from the same era.”
Tell us about growing up, did you come from a musical background? What is your earliest musical memory?
“My earliest musical memory is of a night when my family made a trip to a local record store in the ghetto of Leeds. My sister and I were allowed to choose one 7″ tune each whilst my parents chose their selection of reggae and lovers rock. My sister chose Michael Jackson and I chose a record by Musical Youth called ‘The Youth Of Today’. We regularly bought new records. We used to all sit together and play them for hours. These are touching memories for me. I am happy to say that I still have every one of my father’s records.”
Leeds has always had a huge part in UK clubland, what were the early clubs in your home city that converted you to house music?
“The place I first started going to in Leeds was The Music Factory. Nights like ‘back to basics’ and ‘Happy’ were my favourites in the city. I used to go to a lot of after hour jams in places like Sonny’s too.”
It is well documented that it was Daft Punk have been your biggest influence on your career. What was the record that changed your life?
“There is not really any one record, I have seen lots of eras in music and I have had deep emotional connections with too many tracks to single one out as more important than the others.“
Tell us about Leeds in 2012. The UK club scene is a pile of shit at the moment, except for your city, clubs like Warehouse Project in Manchester and Fabric…there isn’t a lot going on. What is hot in Leeds right now?
“For me, Asylum, Louche, back to basics and Teknicolor are currently the best events in the city.”
Why do you think the scene is so poor in the UK at the moment?
“I have to disagree with you there. As a touring DJ, I regularly play at clubs in and around the UK and there are many great nights and clubs out there, I think it’s just a case of finding what is right for you. UK clubbing is amazing and the crowds are among the best in the world!”
You are playing at the mighty Warehouse Project later this year. What makes this club so damn good? Is it the best club in the UK right now?
“I have not been to the new club yet so I am really excited to experience it. The line ups are awesome because there is something there for everyone. With nights like our Hot Creations Paradise and the Rebel Rave Parties, amongst others, it is certainly a top contender for best UK club!”
You are very proud of your beloved Outcross Records label – tell us about the new talent you have signed coming our way this year…
“The next release we have coming up is by Sean Roman from Toronto. I have been playing his EP for a while now and the tracks always go down well. We have a new EP by London based Tboy who is another talented young producer. This is also due out this year. Again, these tracks are big in my sets and both EP’s have a MAM remix on there too.”
How has Ibiza been this summer, have you a big affection for the white isle?
“Ibiza has been great this year. Playing there has changed a lot for me over the last couple of years as I now play at Paradise at dc10, where I have a residency, and also play some great nights at Sankeys.”
Who are the producers from around the world that you are giving high fives to at the moment?
“Miguel Puente, Tanner Ross, Climbers and PillowTalk all deserve props!”
What are the big tunes you are spinning right now?
“At the moment I am playing lots of unreleased and often unfinished stuff by myself and Matt Hughes. Most of it remains untitled I’m afraid.”
You once said that you had ambitions for making a movie soundtrack, is that still on a back burner?
“This is still something that I would love to do and I’m sure one day this may happen if the right opportunity comes along.”
Best club you have rocked in 2012?
“In 2012 my favourite club to play was Spartacus in Aix en Provence in France. The sound and the people were really amazing.”
House music is great in 2012. It’s great that people are dancing to proper, lovely house again. What has been your summer anthem?
“My summer anthem is a new track from my album called ‘NotThatKindOfGirl’. It will be released as the first single, on Hot Creations.”
You have travelled the world hitting clubs such as Warung in Brazil and Watergate in Berlin. What country and club do you really enjoy returning to the most?
“I honestly love returning home to play at the Mint Club in Leeds, I’m not often at home these days and to return home and play one of the best small clubs in the world is always special for me.“
Your partnership with Matt Hughes as part of MAM has seen many a dancefloor rock with your productions. Who brings what to the production process – who’s great at what?
“Matt and I work in essentially the same way these days and we have both become quite good at creating our style of music. We have a regular switch of who is tech engineer and who is performing. We both know a similar amount about both aspects although I would say I know a bit more about the technical details and Matt knows a bit more about performance.”
And finally, tell us about your next release and next project studio wise?
“Well my debut album ‘Back In Flight School’ is dropping end of Oct on Hot Creations, which is exciting. My next studio project is going to be an EP with my friends Lawrence and Andy aka Inland Knights. It is a great honor to be working with my favourite UK duo and I’m excited to see (or hear) what happens!”
