The UK superstar gets to sprinkle his magic at The Qube Project in London town
Interview by Dan Prince
Miguel welcome back to DMCWORLD – where on Planet Earth are you today?
“Hello Dan, thanks for having me back! Today I am at home in Leeds. I have recently moved back to Leeds and built my studio in my new place so I am really happy to be back now!”
“In the studio with Pot Art Live and Matt Hughes” you teased us with today. What’s the story there dude…?
“Whilst I was in Miami last year I received a demo from a couple of guys called Pop Art who are based in Johannesburg, South Africa. Whilst at an after party, I played the first track from the demo and was blown away by it. All of the subsequent tracks on the demo were amazing also and so I contacted them and signed them to my label – Outcross Records. We all then met up when I was playing my S.A Tour and we decided that it would be great to make an album together, which led to the guys visiting my place in Leeds and we have now begun work. Matt Hughes and I have never really opened up our studio doors to anyone and so this has been a really exciting project for us. The guys from Pop Art are great musicians and this collaboration with MAM is sounding amazing already.”
December 13th sees you down in the big smoke for a set at one of London’s newest clubs, The Qube Project – this is the venue offering a “360 degree experience, 3D mapping and three unique musical rooms”. You looking forward to next weekend, the word on the street is that it’s rocking…
“I always look forward to my shows in London! I’m a bit of a geek so anything with a new technical twist really interests me and I cant wait to see what The Qube Project is all about!”
Your favourite club gig of 2014?
“That’s a tough question as I play so many great venues, but my favourite show this year has been in at the Zig-Zag club in Paris. The vibe looking out into the club from the booth is really magical and the venue is two tier and so you really have that ‘Parisien Show Time’ feel on stage. The people at the club are great and consistently provide great support. My favourite venue in Europe, for sure.”
Your tune of 2014…
“I think the biggest tune for me this year has been Minota – ‘Let U Go’ (Outcross Records). I have played lots of different type shows this year and whether a Hot Creations style party or Viva Warriors style party, I have played this track in almost every set and it goes off every time!”
November saw you down under in Australia, some great gigs in 5 locations. What were some of your memories of the trip?
“Wow, where do I begin?! I kicked it with the Adana Twins whilst in Melbourne and we ended up playing music together a few times which was great! I played with Lee Foss in Melbourne also which was a really amazing show. I think the highlight for me was the next day when Lee and I traveled to Sydney for the Harbour Life Festival. We played with Mark Farina, the sun was shining and the crowd was awesome! It was the highlight of my tour.”
We love Ibiza. You love Ibiza. So much so you have a house there! Looking back at the summer now that the dust has settled, are you happy how the white island is in 2014? It sure came in for some stick this year…
“Well, as with anything, there will always be a portion of people who like change and there will be those that don’t. I had a really good summer this year and enjoyed every part of it. I feel that Ibiza really is what you make of it. If you understand your personal limitations, finances, what you like and what you want to avoid, you can enjoy every moment of your time in Ibiza. Music wise, things sounded a little different in the clubs but this was simple evolution from the previous year. I played a number of viVa Warriors shows this summer and so my own music style was on the tougher side of things but we all had a great time and knew what we were getting ourselves in for…a whole lot of night games.”
What is your favourite place to eat and chill on the island…
“TAPAS bar on the edge of San Antonio. My friends and I have been going there for years now and the new owners are very sweet people and so it is always a pleasure to visit and take friends there to enjoy the surroundings and a real taste of Ibiza!”
Your best moment of Ibiza this summer?
“Playing with the Outcross Records famille on a San Antonio boat party. I love parties out at sea. The situation is perfect for our music and these intimate parties often turn out to be the best vibes to have on the island.”
If you could spend 24 hours in the studio – who would it be?
“I would still say Daft Punk.”
Who is the best DJ you have played alongside this year?
“For me – Maxi Soundsystem was the best to play alongside this year. We have shared the same bill a few times but our gig in Manchester at the close of the summer was epic. Maxi rocked it and he really had the club in a place that was perfect for me to carry on into.”
An up and coming producer to watch out for in 2015.
“Iain O’Hare from Leeds. He has some great EP’s coming out on my label with some cool mixes by myself and Matt Hughes.”
Leeds is rocking again clubwise – that’s nightclub wise and definitely not football club wise. Do you give a shit about your home team?
“I was into football when I was younger but these days I just watch some of the Champions League and World Cup matches. I don’t often have a spare 90 minutes!!”
The big 5 tunes in your box this weekend….
Matt Hughes – Girl Ain’t Right
Etienne De Crecy ft. Alex Gopher – Smile
Eats Everything – Tone Music
Iain O’Hare – Escapism
Rüfüs – Sundream (Captone remix)
The Remix of the year?
“Odd Parents – ‘Learn to Fly’ (Maceo Plex 808 dub).”
Okay let’s rewind for a moment…what is the record that…
…reminds you of your childhood?
Shinehead – Jamaican in New York
…always gets you jumping around?
Digital Underground – The Humpty Dance
…reminds of you having your heart broken?
The Beatles – I’ll Be Back
…you wish you would have made?
Daft Punk – Something About Us
And finally, what is coming out next from you studio wise?
“I am working on my next solo album which I am hoping to have completed over the next month or so. I am working on new music with Matt Hughes everyday and we have lots of new stuff coming up on Outcross and other labels.”
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For further information about Miguel check http://www.miguelcampbell.com/
For further information on Miguel’s gig at The Qube Project check www.thequbeproject.com
