|
M.I.K.E. in the TopRadio studios.
Show hosted by Hans Temmerman
We’re lucky to have you in the studio, because you’re very busy nowadays. Where have you been lately?
I was in the UK last weekend, playing in Newcastle and Birmingham for Godskitchen and Gatecrasher. I also played in London, and I did a DJ tour in Australia and New-Zeeland.
Tell us a bit about your new album Electric Eclipse. Is it anything like From Beyond?
Actually it is totally different. Now there’s a story behind it, and in order to understand it, you’ll have to listen to it from the beginning till the end.
There may be a slight problem, as it is coming out one year after the original release date, what with the problems with Lightning Records. Some people may think that it’ll sound dated. But I don’t think the real trance fans will. I think it’s a step forward for me and also for the trance scene in general. In my opinion it’s a timeless album.
When is it coming out?
In a few weeks. I just don’t know when exactly it’ll be available in the regular shops. I know some online shops are already selling it. I’ll be mainly looking at that, online shops are becoming the most important source for music nowadays.
Imagine is one of my favourite tracks on the album
Yeah, it’s one of my favourites too. It’s sort of an electro breakbeat track with trance influences. Electro is an important part of the Push project, it always has been, but of course it has to sound trancey. And emotional, emotions plays a big part as well.
Question by one of the listeners: Did you use the Roland JP8080 for Universal Nation?
The track is from 1998, that’s when Roland just came up with that synth. The lead is not entirely made with the JP8080, but it definitely had a big part in it. I don’t exactly recall how I made it though, the track was produced in an other studio back then.
Question by one of the listeners: What will the back to back DJ set with Armin will be like at Antwerp is Burning?
Come over and you will see. It’ll be something special, it’s a surprise. We’re just doing it for fun really, we’ll see how it turns out. The most important thing that night I think is what happens on the main stage. I’ll do my own thing there, Armin will too. We’ll just see what the back to back session turns out.
You perform a lot outside of Belgium.
I think trance is more successful in other countries than it is in Belgium, it is not appreciated enough here. That’s why ninety percent of my gigs is abroad.
Question by one of the listeners: What styles do you like to spin?
I think the style I spin is very broad. I’d like to call it electronic dance, everything from trance to progressive, techno, electro. In my sets I like to combine all of those genres.
Question by one of the listeners: When did you decide to become a DJ?
Actually I started as a DJ, I had a radio show on Radio Total in Antwerp. I was really interested in dance music back then, new beat from the end of the eighties like S-Xpress and such. I started to get into production about three years later, I was fascinated by all those tools. And I had more fun producing, creating something that evokes emotions.
Once a DJ always a DJ?
No. At least not for me, producing is my kind of thing. In about two years, I’ll probably cut back on my gigs so I can focus more on my productions. I want to produce more and in a wider range of music styles.
Question by one of the listeners: In which countries is trance most popular?
In the UK there’s a big scene. London, Sheffield, Birmingham… it’s a way of life there. Ibiza as well, although you find all sorts of music styles there. As for Belgium, I don’t know anymore. I don’t think there’s a trance scene here anymore. That’s a shame.
Do people here focus there attention too much on techno?
Maybe. You see, there’s a difference with The Netherlands. There people look up a lot more to their DJ’s. I think Belgians are not chauvinistic enough. That’s a pity, I’m really proud to be a Belgian. But I also think party organisers are too much in it for the money, so a lot of the quality gets lost.
Question by one of the listeners: What inspires you?
I don’t know… nothing really. When I go into the studio, I don’t know what will happen. I just see how it turns out. Except for remixes, then I follow a certain procedure. But for own projects, I never have a certain alias in mind when I start a new track. I don’t decide beforehand “now I’m going to make a new Plastic Boy or Solar Factor”.
You’re at number 50 in the DJ mag charts. How does that feel?
I think a lot has to do with my gigs abroad, especially in the UK. Eighty percent of my DJ sets are in the UK, so a lot of votes came from there I think. But the ranking doesn’t matter to me that much. Of course the market-value for DJ M.I.K.E. has increased now. But I think the price I ask for a booking is definitely not that high.
Next up is your track R.E.S.P.E.C.T. It is a favourite amongst many people.
Yeah, I sent the album to Armin a few weeks ago and he immediately chose this track to play on his radio show. A lot of others I sent the album to have listed this track as their favourite as well, so it’s only logical that this will be the follow-up to Electric Eclipse. It should be released somewhere in September.
Question by one of the listeners: Are you influenced by other DJ’s?
Not really. I just step into the booth and see what happens. I play for the people. Well, not only the people, I play for myself as well, I want to have a good time. I say it’s about 50-50. It also depends on the location. When you play in front of 7000 people, like for instance in Godskitchen, I’ll be different than in a club. Those nights in Godskitchen are almost events evrytime. In a club there’s usually a darker atmosphere, so you can play a few darker tracks there. That’s why I prefer to play in a club.
What about the public?
In the UK, trance is a way of life. And that’s really lacking here in Belgium. The clubs are to blame I think, they are mostly in it for the money. Also trance was given up too fast. You have these Retro parties everywhere, but I think there are many new things that are a lot better, only they do not get a chance to break through.
Question by one of the listeners: How long will you keep going?
As long as there is creativity in my soul, and there is quite a bit left. I have lots of ideas and I enjoy everything I do. I have an open mind to other music styles as well, like my R’n’B/Electro project Diabokua. I won’t turn my back on dance music, but I do have a wide interest in music. I always look to the future.
Question by one of the listeners: Is creating a club like Godskitchen feasible in Belgium?
No, because of the lousy promoters.
Question by one of the listeners: Who is your favourite DJ?
Nobody. Everybody is doing his own thing and is good at it. In Belgium we have Yves Deruyter, Trish is good as well. But everyone who is doing his own thing, does a good job really.
Blue Midnight then. My favourite track of the album
It’s a very special track, and my favourite as well. It was written for my girlfriend and is a reflection of the true trance sound. Trance is all about emotions. It’s a very warm track. To close your eyes and dream away.
Question by one of the listeners: Which production of yours do you like best?
That’s a difficult question because every project has its own identity and sound. But if I had to pick one, it’d have to be Universal Nation, just because it has a special meaning to me.
What was your reaction when Universal Nation turned out to be an extremely popular track?
It was a good feeling, it still is. The track is still a favourite amongst the top jocks. And it’s an amazing feeling to see all those people on the dancefloor freak out.
Question by one of the listeners: Was Till We Meet Again written for Marino Stephano? Because I’ve heard different stories…
It was indeed a dedication to Marino Stephano. But the title has all sorts of meanings, everyone can have his own interpretation.
Question by one of the listeners: Is that your voice in The Blackmaster – Time Never Stops?
It is indeed. I always do everything myself, and I like to experiment with vocoders and such.
Question by one of the listeners: Is there any particular moment in your career that gave you the goosebumps?
There have been lots of memorable moments. My DJ tour in Australia last September, Push live at I Love Techno, Antwerp is Burning Outdoor last year, Push live at Trance Energy in 2000, just to name a few.
Up next, the anthem for Antwerp is Burning.
It’s called New Horizons, and I’m very happy about it. I just don’t know what’s going to happen with it. At the moment I’m working on an Electric Mix. It’ll probably be released on Armada. There’s an idea for a website especially designed for anthems. We’ll see. In any case, the more I listen to it the more I like it, and I can totally see 10.000 people going out of their mind to it.
Question by one of the listeners: There was a bootleg of Universal Nation Bootleg with vocals. What’s your feeling on that one?
It sucks, but I can’t do anything about it. There was also a bootleg of Strange World. I just want to say that I do not have any respect for the people who do such a thing.
Question by one of the listeners: A lot of techno fans claim that trance is too commercial, while trance fans seem to be much more open-minded towards techno and other music styles.
That’s correct. I like techno a lot as well, that’s what I have my label Scanner Recordings for. But I just refer to the music I spin as “electronic music”, that includes everything. A lot of people say that techno is superior to trance, but maybe it’s the other way around. I think the trance scene is slightly bigger. Trance is a lot harder to mix as well. It’s harder to put two trance tracks together with those strings and breakdowns. But that’s not really important, trance and techno should not be two separated things.
Question by one of the listeners: Why is it so hard to get trance CD’s in Belgium?
You’re right, it all seems to be about Tune the Speakers and stuff. But I’m working on a project with Armin, where you will be able to download DJ mixes for a certain fee.
Question by one of the listeners: Do you use softsynths?
My studio is pretty big, given the diversity in music that I produce. I try to combine software and hardware, for example I have Logic Audio on my Mac. But hardware is still very important.
About Antwerp is Burning now. You seem to be getting along well with the organisers.
We are working close together. I believe in the concept, it’s got lots of aspects, it’s very diverse. They combine various styles and cultures, and it’s working out well. I’m getting along well with them, I have my say in the line-up for example.
What about the compilation you are mixing for the event?
Unfortunately the CD has been postponed. It’ll be released after the Outdoor event in September. There were some problems with the record company. You see, that’s why I always go my own way, the independent way is the best way!
Question by one of the listeners: Have you ever been to an event where the people were booing at you?
Actually no. The people that usually go to events and clubs are there to see the artist, so no. I did blunder a few times, like having decks falling on the ground and such.
How is your relationship with other DJ’s?
Sometimes there’s jealousy, but I haven’t experienced any of that. I don’t have to prove myself or anything. But in general DJ’s get along well. I get on pretty well with Marco V., Ferry, Tiesto, Armin, Paul van Dyk.
Question by one of the listeners: Is your album going to be released on vinyl as well?
There will be a limited edition with three tracks: Blue Midnight, Imagine and a re-mastered version of Tranceformation. It’ll be out in one month, but be quick, only 500 copies will be available.
Question by one of the listeners: Are there any collaborations on the way?
I’ll definitely be working with Fred Baker. He’s a very close friend, a great guy. Ninety percent of the time he comes along with me on my DJ tours in the UK. For the rest, I’m very busy working on the M.I.K.E. album that’s due for the end of the year. That’s my main goal at the moment. It’ll be something different, diversity is the main thing here.
Tell us a bit about your booking agent.
That would be David Lewis. I met him through Armada, he’s also working with Remy and Lemon8. He’s also the one who made Ferry and Tiësto big. I owe a lot to the Bonzai/Banshee crew, they did a lot for me. Now Technique DJ’s arrange everything for all major events, like Global Gathering and such.
You turn down a lot of bookings, don’t you?
Yes, we’re very picky when it comes to events and clubs. That’s because I’m not in it for the money. However, I am going to do more gigs in The Netherlands. But I need time to produce and there’s also my private life. I like to do a bit of sports and all. You can’t forget to live!
Question by one of the listeners: I have seen two different spellings of the album title. Is there an –e at the end of Eclipse?
Where would the –e have gone? There is an –e.
Question by one of the listeners: How long does it take for you to produce a track?
Depends. As I said, I never know what’s going to happen when I enter the studio. Universal Nation was produced on a Wednesday afternoon, in about four hours. I mean, if the time and the feeling is right, it can be done fast. Usually the best tracks are produced in a short period of time. I think Ferry’s Out of the Blue was also produced in about four hours.
Hasn’t producing become a routine?
Not at all. It took me five days to write the Antwerp is Burning anthem. I am a lot more critical towards my tracks nowadays.
You are going to mix a compilation CD for Armada.
That one is scheduled for September or October. It’ll probably be available for download.
Question by one of the listeners: What’s up with Guy Naets?
He’s back in the music business. But he’s still very busy. However, we are going to produce a new Moon Project together, somewhere after the summer.
Question by one of the listeners: Will there ever be another Battle of the DJ’s mix cd?
I don’t think so. Banshee is not going to release any mix CD’s in the near future, they are focusing on the artist albums at the moment.
M.I.K.E. also had exclusive news for us:
Club Elite will organise a series of events, twice each year. Watch out this summer for the first of those parties, to be held in Antwerp!!
And he also said thanks to all of his fans, with a special mention for TranceAddicts.
Sorry voor het Engels 
___________________
| quote: | Originally texted by Jakhira
Out with the dog at the moment. Chicks love him, and I love chicks... The world is in harmony  |
Last edited by TOR on Apr-14-2004 at 15:29
|
!! Merciekes 
