It is sad and true…The Best American DJ Tour Competition has officially ended its run in Los Angeles last Saturday the 14th with an EXCEPTIONAL performance by Miguel Migs! Club Avalon was packed and the energy inside was at an indescribable level. Although everyone was dancing, a sharp change occurred at 1am: Miguel Migs slides into the DJ booth and slowly starts his set. You could see the swarm of people migrate towards the DJ booth as the music picked up a distinct beat and the moment fans had been waiting for had arrived: Miguel Migs was at work and the crowd was LOVING it!
I watched in awe as the dance floor became dense with bodies, each picking up the rhythm and moving to the incredible base booming out of the speakers. His music is definitely of an ineffable nature; the influences and beats present in his music is not just for the clubs or the dance scene, it is for every place at any time. There is an innate soul, a discernible rhythm, a movement provoking melody, and an irresistible hypnotic pull. Avalon, the crowd and myself were taking it all in; screaming, whistling and dancing as if the sun was not going to come up. Suffice to say Miguel Migs managed in an incredibly short amount of time to bring us all into a frenzied state of euphoria and keep us there throughout his whole set.
I had the amazing opportunity to meet with DJ Miguel Migs before his scheduled appearance at Avalon on Saturday night. No words can describe the thrill and emotion running through my body as I shook his hand and looked into his sky blue eyes. Miguel Migs was the true definition of a gentleman; his completely laid back demeanor and effortless smile will draw anybody in; and once he speaks: that’s it, your officially mesmerized.
Q: How long have you been a professional DJ?
Professionally 10-11 years; globally 8-9 years.
Q: What is your favorite tour spot in Europe?
I love all of Europe; I love being on the Mediterranean in the summer. The food is great, the lifestyle is laid back. I particularly enjoy Spain, the whole Siesta thing…caters to my lifestyle.
Q: Is your residency in San Francisco?
It’s hard for me to have a set residency with all the travelling dates; but I do have an event I try to do every other month in San Francisco called Salted, which is the same name as my record label. We’re having an event this Saturday the 21st for the summer solstice.
Q: Who is your influence/creative drive behind your music?
I don’t really listen to much electronic music actually. I got influenced early on by classic rock to blues to reggae. I listen to Muddy Waters and Prince. I love Hip Hop, rock and soul and funk. It’s all across the board for music. That’s why I think my music is melody driven with live instrumentals. My music can be listened to in a bar or restaurant at home etc. at that is why I believe people enjoy it…they can identify with the soul and melody of the music.
Q: Your new album Those Things Remixed just came out…
Yes. It’s a remix of 2007 Those Things and it’s a bunch of artists remixing and giving their own interpretations of the songs on the album. It’s a diverse blend of music…with re-interpretations of music already known. It’s got old school funk and soul and some Hip Hop influences. It’s a good mixture incorporated into the disco-house music.
Q: Do you write your own lyrics for your music?
Yes I write my own music and lyrics on my pieces. I collaborate with artists like Lisa Shaw who does vocals on some of my pieces.
Q: Are you nervous that your going to be judged tonight for America’s Best DJ tour?
Not at all. This is what I do for a living. I do my thing the same and have the same approach each time which is very spontaneous. I just bring my music and go by my mood. I listen to the crowd and go by the vibe. I don’t have a pre-selected set when I DJ. I think that would be very boring and I don’t think I’d want to DJ if I had to play the same thing over and over again. I like to experiment and test new music and new artists while at work; I can play a piece that was emailed to me just today and test it out on the crowd. There is no rule to this thing.
I don’t look at it like I’m being judged. I’m not a crowd pleasing DJ. I play music that I’m into…not the hits or the things that make people jump up and down. I play what I like and try to make a seamless blend of new and old music and turn people on to new music and my songs.
Q: How did you get started in the DJ industry?
You start by playing at house parties on small scale bars. You put out an album and it gets started. I’d say it’s the same principle/method for bands. You start small and as the fan base of your music grows so do your gigs.
Q: Any last thoughts for our readers at LA.CityZine?
Stay open minded and support all different types of music. Help support independent artists and music labels. Buy Music.
And there you have it..a peek into one of the most innovative true to form artists out there. While writing this article I was listening to his new album Those Things and have to say it is absolutely PHENOMENAL! The lyrics are hauntingly poetic, the music is honest and unpretentious and he is right: You can listen to it anywhere, anytime. Miguel Migs’ music has appeared on shows like Six Feet Under and Sex and the City, MTV Road Rules and Real World. I would DEFINITELY buy his CD. Trust me not only will you LOVE it, I guarantee it will have you dancing in your car on the way to work or jotting down a few of your own lyrics, you know, just for the artist buried deep in all of us.
To know more about Miguel Migs and his music/tour dates you can visit his MySpace page or his record label Salted Music page.
Picture courtesy of Nora
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