Interview by Dan Prince
Mike a huge welcome back to DMCWORLD…where on planet earth are you right now?
Hi guys, thanks for talking to me. I am now in Sao Paulo sitting in backseat of a car to the airport. Just played in the lovely Anzu Club which went pretty wild
A piece of music that got you smiling today?
Mura Masa – What If I Go?
Well young man, you have certainly hit the ground running and continue your streak of successful collabs with your ‘Higher’ smash with Leon Lour. Please talk us through the sound and history of this vocal house gem…
Thank you! Leon had sent some stuff over for me to consider releasing on BMKLTSCH. I thought he was a really good producer. In the case of Higher, most credits go out to him because he had put a big deal of the song down when he contacted me to work on it. When I heard the rough idea, I immediately fell in love and wanted to develop it towards a strong single. It feels like ‘Higher’ is part of a run of tracks that has the combination of House and vocals. It started with Outlines and after Deeper Love and Daylight (with KC Lights)…we’re now at Higher
Did you have summer sun drenched dancefloors in mind when conjuring up ‘Higher’
Ha yeah it has a good summer vibe indeed. But actually almost every time I make a track people around me go ‘let the summer come’. I don’t know what it is! I just tend to produce summery tracks. Pretty strange for someone who turns into a lobster whenever the sun hits his skin
Ha! Where is the highest place in the world you have ever been?
I looked it up, it’s “Epaule du Bochet” op 3.250m in Valthorens. It’s where I snowboard quite often
So you were once a Capoeira instructor? Really? No bull?
Haha yep. No bull. During my whole period of ‘hobby-ing’ with music, my main income was from being a Capoeira instructor. I fell in love with it during my first trip in Brazil. It’s such a unique combination of music and martial-art. I used to have a school of around 100 students. My DJ name even originated from Capoeira, because my nickname in Capoeira was Mago. But, I must say this is all in the past. When I decided to focus 100% on music I haven’t trained anymore. I still work out, but I can barely do a cartwheel
What are the 5 big tunes in your box this weekend?
– Fabich – One Two
I love Fabich’ works and am nagging him for a release on my label Bmktlsch Rcrds (hope he reads this!). This track has so funky and fresh. absolutely love it!
– Sneaky – It Ain’t Over (Doorly remix)
In every set I have 1 or 2 tracks from Doorly. Most of the time in the beginning of my set. I really use it to feel out the crowds reaction and see what kind of people I have in front of me. This remix is awesome builds and cool piano groove intermezzo
– Bob Sinclair – Someone Who Needs Me
I’m a sucker for catchy vocals and I love this one. But I love the crooked ritme in the drop the most. Pretty original if you ask me
– NVOY – Lord Have Mercy
I love NVOY’s last 2 tracks All Night and especially Higher. The good form continues with this amazing rhythm driven track
– HeadHunterz – Live Before We Die
It might be the odd on out, but I absolutely love this track. It’s gonna be a festival killer for sure!
– Bonus track…
I also found Blake Baxter & Marc Romboy – Muzik (Kink remix) again. It’s pretty old but I really love how the bass and kick drop first and then how the rhythm comes in. It’s so groovy
Which actor would you like most to see play you in a film?
Jon Heder, cause he can brilliantly play a nerd.
What is the biggest risk you have ever taken?
The biggest risk I ever toke was actually starting to learn producing and focusing on my solo project at a late age while stopping all other projects I was involved in. I had some pretty rough years of very few gigs, no job, a tiny income and putting all my money that I earned in the label and studio. I found myself in the situation that I even had to cancel gigs because I couldn’t afford a train or bus ticket to the city of the venue. Luckily I was stubborn enough to hang in there and develop my producing skills, as things got picked up later on
A stand out producer to watch out for this summer?
I can name many, but I think the guys ‘The Him’ are ones to watch and also really talented ‘Dante Klein’
What’s the biggest mistake you’ve made in your life and how did you overcome it?
I feel the biggest mistake is not starting producing earlier. To overcome it, I now produce wherever and whenever I can
It’s your birthday. 4 celebrities dead or alive – who do you invite for a dinner party? And who is the DJ…?
Dinner guests: Jerry Seinfeld, Otis Redding, Obama and Will Farrel
DJ choices : Dimitry From Paris b2b with Todd Terje (it’s a dinner so we have to keep it mellow!!)
The last piece of music you bought?
Few Nolder – One
What accomplishment in your life are you most proud of?
Being able to travel with my music
And finally, what is coming out next from you studio wise?
Well, release wise the run is continuous. I’m happy to reveal that I finished another track with Dragonette, this also in celebration of the now reached double platinum status of Outlines in The Netherlands and gold status in a couple of other countries. Next to that I’m finishing tracks for new releases as well. I’m aiming to release a track every other month. I’ve also just finished a remix for Avicii’s Broken arrows and am happy my remix for Ellie Goulding is still making waves I’m now working on a remix for Lemaitre. Next to that I’m touring to North and South America and have a pretty heavy festival season coming up with Tomorrowland and Mysteryland amongst others
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