We were there Again. Video Interview with M.I.K.E. at Tomorrowland 2011. It was simply difficult to believe your eyes and ears, for 3 days at the De Shorre recreational area near Antwerp in Belgium, 180,000 visitors were having the best time of their lives, partying with their friends, and enjoying the most talked about artists and DJ’s that are currently on everybody’s minds. David Guetta, Tiesto, Faithless Sound System, Martin Solveig, Above and Beyond, and many, many more. Amongst them was the superstar German DJ Paul van Dyk, who had his own incredible stage, named the same as the title of his forthcoming album ‘Evolution’. This stage which was packed all day, included sets from amongst others, Markus Schultz, Gabriel & Dresden, and Live performances by Rank 1 & Giuseppe Ottaviani. At the Evolution backstage, we met with the DJ and producer M.I.K.E., who was born and raised in Antwerp, and is currently residing in the USA.
M.I.K.E.’s own story started aged 10, after a Depeche Mode synth electro performance wowed him into wanting to produce music, he went on to release his first track at 18, and never looked back. Following 7 album releases under various guises, (including Push and M.I.K.E.), dance and chart success all over the world, and remixes for everybody from Sinead O’Connor, to Moby, over to Bomfunk Mc’s, and Armin Van Buuren and many more…
M.I.K.E.’s reputation shot through the roof, and although a commercial crossover had never been anticipated, in 1998 ‘Universal Nation’ took the world by storm. It won several dance awards, and was undoubtedly recognised as one of the classic dance-records of the Trance era ‘till this day. Pole positions in worldwide dance charts were soon putting the Belgian dance scene firmly on the map. His ‘Push’ follow-up single, ’Strange World’, destroyed hundreds of clubs across Europe, in the same vein as ‘Universal Nation’. This kind of success did not go unnoticed as M.I.K.E. was asked to DJ at some of the best venues in the world. Some of these include: ‘Gatecrasher’ and ‘Godskitchen’ in the UK, ‘Fura’ and ‘Vel Farre’ in Japan, ‘Dance Valley’ and ‘Trance Energy’ in Holland, ‘Webster Hall’ and ‘Spundae’ in the U.S., from Australia’s Sydney and Melbourne to New Zeeland, are a few to mention. Also, he has his own worldwide famous radio show; ‘Club Elite Sessions’, and his own label ‘Club Elite Recordings’ at Armada Music, which is currently on hold.
Within the video interview, M.I.K.E. expresses how emotional he feels whenever he plays at Tomorrowland as he is back at his home base. ‘It’s a very special occasion to come back and play at home’. He talks about his future project, his decision to play the music that he likes’ and not follow a particular genre, and he gives us his opinion about bootlegs, mash-ups, and new remixes of his older tracks. It’s highly recommended you watch, and check out his radio show ‘Club Elite Sessions’, right here on 1Mix Radio.
Interview was conducted and edited by Dimitri Kechagias
Camera & Sound Engineering: Paul Aldridge - 1mix radio
Many thanks to Debby Wilmsen, ID&T Belgium and Getinpr for giving us press accreditation so we could attend this fantastic, once in a lifetime experience.
Many thanks to Caroline at Maximized Music Management for arranging this interview.
Camera & Sound Engineering: Paul Aldridge - 1mix radio
Many thanks to Debby Wilmsen, ID&T Belgium and Getinpr for giving us press accreditation so we could attend this fantastic, once in a lifetime experience.
Many thanks to Caroline at Maximized Music Management for arranging this interview.
Additional info: