DJ Mikas is one of Canada's fastest rising stars in the dance music scene. He is the founder of Progressive Grooves Records, host of TranceClass TV & Radio and resident of Gorg-O-Mish nightclub. As of December 2011 he is ranked #275 world wide on Social 100 DJs.
As label head of Progressive Grooves Records he pushed for- and discovered such artists as Enton Mushi, Manuel De La Mare, Kings Of Addiction, Yan Lhert, Shato, Paul Rockseek, Jake Shanahan, Martin Roth, DJ Sage and Haley Parsons among others. The label enjoys continuous support from DJs such as Markus Schulz, Paul Van Dyk, Ferry Corsten, Tiesto, Gareth Emery, Cosmic Gate, Richard Durand, Andy Moor, tyDi and too much more to mention.
2009 anthem Mikas - 'Temperamental' got the remix treatment from Manuel De La Mare after which it became a Beatport Techno number #1 for four consecutive weeks and selling a stunning 10.000 copies. Besides being a major hit on Beatport, the track became a DJ Download and Juno number #1 overall.
In 2010 Mikas released the Forward EP, including remixes by some of the hottest artists from the scene. Beatport best selling artist of 2009, Martin Roth; Spanish duo Riktam and Bansi - famous for their Track 'Green Space' which ranked no2 as best selling track of 2009 overall on Beatport; And last but not least Manuel De La Mare. 4 mixes of the EP made it in the Beatport Progressive House Top 20 and got support across the board, including Ferry Corsten, Dash Berlin, Gareth Emery and Andy Moor.
2011 saw debut releases on other taste making record labels. 'Shaken Not Stirred' by DJ Mikas and production partner DJ Sage got picked up by Richard Durand's Terminal-4 Record label. The melodic anthem got instant radio-play by the likes of Stoneface & Terminal and Roger Shah.
'Eternal' another gem by the duo got signed by Black Hole for release in 2012.
Yet, Mikas is more than a passionate DJ and producer: He is a Media Maniac! DJ Mikas is the first trance DJ to host a TV & Radio show every week accessible to millions.
TranceClass TV airs from its base in Vancouver and informs on the nightlife scene and pop culture with reports of the biggest events. DJ Mikas takes the viewers backstage and interviews the World's most in-demand DJs and celebs.
In 2011 he sat down with DJs from all over the World to talk about their mutual passion. 28 shows have been broadcast with guests such as Arty, Laidback Luke, Hardwell, Sander Van Doorn, Markus Schulz, Sean Tyas, Kyau & Albert and many more.
TranceClass TV is available as a podcast on iTunes, On-Demand TV and several online distribution channels. Moreover, TranceClass makes its debut on Clubbing TV from France in 2012. This expands the show to cable networks in France. Belgium,
As label head of Progressive Grooves Records he pushed for- and discovered such artists as Enton Mushi, Manuel De La Mare, Kings Of Addiction, Yan Lhert, Shato, Paul Rockseek, Jake Shanahan, Martin Roth, DJ Sage and Haley Parsons among others. The label enjoys continuous support from DJs such as Markus Schulz, Paul Van Dyk, Ferry Corsten, Tiesto, Gareth Emery, Cosmic Gate, Richard Durand, Andy Moor, tyDi and too much more to mention.
2009 anthem Mikas - 'Temperamental' got the remix treatment from Manuel De La Mare after which it became a Beatport Techno number #1 for four consecutive weeks and selling a stunning 10.000 copies. Besides being a major hit on Beatport, the track became a DJ Download and Juno number #1 overall.
In 2010 Mikas released the Forward EP, including remixes by some of the hottest artists from the scene. Beatport best selling artist of 2009, Martin Roth; Spanish duo Riktam and Bansi - famous for their Track 'Green Space' which ranked no2 as best selling track of 2009 overall on Beatport; And last but not least Manuel De La Mare. 4 mixes of the EP made it in the Beatport Progressive House Top 20 and got support across the board, including Ferry Corsten, Dash Berlin, Gareth Emery and Andy Moor.
2011 saw debut releases on other taste making record labels. 'Shaken Not Stirred' by DJ Mikas and production partner DJ Sage got picked up by Richard Durand's Terminal-4 Record label. The melodic anthem got instant radio-play by the likes of Stoneface & Terminal and Roger Shah.
'Eternal' another gem by the duo got signed by Black Hole for release in 2012.
Yet, Mikas is more than a passionate DJ and producer: He is a Media Maniac! DJ Mikas is the first trance DJ to host a TV & Radio show every week accessible to millions.
TranceClass TV airs from its base in Vancouver and informs on the nightlife scene and pop culture with reports of the biggest events. DJ Mikas takes the viewers backstage and interviews the World's most in-demand DJs and celebs.
In 2011 he sat down with DJs from all over the World to talk about their mutual passion. 28 shows have been broadcast with guests such as Arty, Laidback Luke, Hardwell, Sander Van Doorn, Markus Schulz, Sean Tyas, Kyau & Albert and many more.
TranceClass TV is available as a podcast on iTunes, On-Demand TV and several online distribution channels. Moreover, TranceClass makes its debut on Clubbing TV from France in 2012. This expands the show to cable networks in France. Belgium,
Portugal, Moldavia, Poland, Mauritius Island, USA, Austria and Africa.
Interview is written and conducted by Dimitri Kechagias, Radio/Club Dj & Music Journalist
Interview is written and conducted by Dimitri Kechagias, Radio/Club Dj & Music Journalist
Dimitri: Do you consider 2011 as a positive, negative or neutral year for the progress of the Electronic Dance Music scene?
DJ Mikas: I Believe the scene is growing very fast at the moment, 2011 has been a huge year for dance music in North America. More and more artists are touring here and more clubs and venues are embracing the international and local DJs Instead of hip hop or rock shows! Also, of course now derivatives of dance music are making their way into pop music on radio and it helps people open their mind.
Dimitri: Do you believe that 2011 was a good , indifferent or bad year for the development of your personal career?
DJ Mikas: It was my best year so far. As a producer I'm looking to push the boundaries of the tools I use and this year has been a prolific year production wise with many tracks and remixes I am really proud of. On the DJ-ing side I had the chance to play regularly in Vancouver and had a series of gigs in Montreal that were very satisfying. Overall 2011 was a big leap forward for me!
THE A to Z of the Best of the Year 2011.
THE A to Z of the Best of the Year 2011.
a) Best Full Release of the year(original & remixes)
DJ Mikas: Cosmic Gate - Wake your Mind
I liked Cosmic Gate before, now I love them! This is an incredible album! I feel lucky I had the chance to interview them for my TranceClass TV show and we really connected.
b) Your personal Full release of the year
I liked Cosmic Gate before, now I love them! This is an incredible album! I feel lucky I had the chance to interview them for my TranceClass TV show and we really connected.
b) Your personal Full release of the year
DJ Mikas: My mix album TranceClass 002. It was hard work but we finally got it out. I'm pretty happy we got the chance to use tracks from Cosmic Gate, Lange, Arty and more on the album.
c) Best Single track of the year (only original versions)
c) Best Single track of the year (only original versions)
DJ Mikas: Andy Duguid Ft Fenja - Strings.
Not the biggest dancefloor track but the vocals and overall arrangement of this song are impeccable.
d) Your personal Best Single track of the year
Not the biggest dancefloor track but the vocals and overall arrangement of this song are impeccable.
d) Your personal Best Single track of the year
DJ Mikas: My single TranceClass - The Anthem! I had a blast producing this big sound but still wanted to keep it original. We also produced a music video for this one that is absolutely mental! I have to thank my manager Wilf for his work on this one!
f) Best Remix on personal production that you released in 2011
f) Best Remix on personal production that you released in 2011
DJ Mikas: I did a remix for Hayley Parsons "Changing Lanes" which I really like. It took me over a month to complete which is unusual for me. It's a great blend between trance and progressive and the Lyrics are very meaningful. This one really takes me to places when i listen to it!
g) Best Producer of the year in your style that you play or any other that you may like
DJ Mikas: I think Above And Beyond are my favorites this year. They are doing great vocal anthems I never get tired of playing or listing to. To some it may sound cheesy but their music has a simplicity that just works, and it bridges the gap between trance and pop music very well.
h) Best New Talent/Big hope for the coming years
DJ Mikas:I love all of the Orjan Nilsen productions and remixes, mostly lately, very creative and full of energy.
i) Best Remixer of the year on personal or others peoples tracks
DJ Mikas:Dennis Shepperd rocked several great remixes this year, big sound, very danceable but still with great melodies!
j) Best Established Label of the year(not started in 2011)
DJ Mikas: Black Hole Recordings! I play tons of their releases, the overall quality is always excellent, and I am very proud of being a Black Hole artist too now.
k) Best Newborn in 2011 label of the year
DJ Mikas: No new label really got my attention this year.
l) Best dance album and mixed compilation of the year in the style of music that you work with…
DJ Mikas: Cosmic Gate - Wake your mind for best dance album. DJ Sage released his debut album Evolution on my label Progressive Grooves for which he selected his best tracks for one continuous mix. Felt great to be able to give him that opportunity.
m)Best Music Video of the year(this can be personal/you are involved with or from other artists)
m)Best Music Video of the year(this can be personal/you are involved with or from other artists)
DJ Mikas: My own music Video for TranceClass The Anthem! It is so intense; it will almost give you a seizure. It's a compilation of all the best moments and club footage from over 20 episodes of TranceClass TV, it took over 30 Hours of editing to put this together!!!
DJ Mikas - TranceClass {The Anthem}V 2.0 [MUSIC VIDEO] from TranceClass TV on Vimeo.
o) Best new software or hardware that was introduced in this year and you recommended it to others.
o) Best new software or hardware that was introduced in this year and you recommended it to others.
DJ Mikas: I am Very impressed with the new plugin BT put out called Stutter! It's very intense and creative and you can also use it live and as send effect. Very innovative!
p) Best and worst djing or production experience that happened in 2011
DJ Mikas: Best thing in the studio this year: I switched my notebook and main computer to Mac! an the other best is switching from cubase to logic, Worst would be that I have to export all of my previous projects as stems to edit them in Logic!
q) Best country that you performed this year
DJ Mikas: Canada!!!
r) Best club or open air festival that you attended or you even performed this year
DJ Mikas: I performed in Montreal at the Red Lite! It was very intense; I played from 4am to 7 am. The best thing for me was that there were a lot more people at the end of my set then there were when I began!
s) Best hobby or other activity for 2011(game/movie/book/going to gym to keep fit or any other hobby )
DJ Mikas: Doing my TV show has been a blast. It's a lot more complex than doing just music, there are a lot more assets implicated and it was a challenge for me.
DJ Mikas: Of course I'm quite busy with doing my own show TranceClass Radio, but when I have some spare time I like to listen to Solaris international. Solarstone always comes up with cool tunes. Also, Matt Darey's Nocturnal is a great show.
u) Best online or ordinary record shop that you used to get your music of the year
DJ Mikas: I use Beatport a lot. The new site is very quick and I can go trough 500 tracks in 2 hours with the advanced use shortcuts. I love it.
v) Best CD player or any other equipment that you use for djing (this can include software for digital mixing)
DJ Mikas: I use Traktor for 4 years now, I would not go back. I also use a Allen and heath Xone 4D Contoler + Mixer for my live Performance and radio shows; this mixer's sound quality is definitively the best for me.
w) Best vocalist in a dance track of the year
w) Best vocalist in a dance track of the year
DJ Mikas: Emma Hewitt for Cosmic Gate - Be Your Sound. Timeless piece!
x) Best magazine or web site that you always check out for music related stuff (to read reviews/interviews/ and learn about technical equipment)
DJ Mikas: I guess I could say my Facebook news feed. News is going fast and it's easy to get it.
y) Best fan of your music of the year or best crowd in your performance
DJ Mikas: Gorgomish in Vancouver at 5am on a Saturday morning! Priceless vibe!
z) Best thing you have done this year in order to support any social movement, charities, or other people that may need your help.
DJ Mikas: I like to raise awareness about proper nutrition and how it affects you: I am a bit of a preacher of healthy living.
z) Best thing you have done this year in order to support any social movement, charities, or other people that may need your help.
DJ Mikas: I like to raise awareness about proper nutrition and how it affects you: I am a bit of a preacher of healthy living.
Dimitri: Can you please let us know your plans for 2012 for your djing, productions or label?
DJ Mikas: We are working to set up a tour for the US in the new year. I have Two EP's that will be out early in the year: 'High and Dry' on my label Progressive Grooves and one more on Black Hole Recordings called 'Eternal.' Both of these were made together with my production partner DJ Sage. I also have a couple more EP's to be released on Progressive Grooves Including more material from Dj Sage And Kings Of Addiction.
Dimitri: On the other side is it possible to tell us the track, album, artist/dj that you believe were the worst of the year and why?
DJ Mikas:Sorry, I do not pay attention to the music or artists I don't like.
Dimitri: Please give us your wishes for 2012 and your small piece of advice for anyone that reads this interview and aspires to get into music production, djing, or music production in general.
DJ Mikas: I wish all the best for everyone in 2012, always stay positive and proud of what you do, make music for yourself, do not try to sound like someone successful because you think it will work for you, be creative and give yourself to the music.
Many thanks to always smiling and warmhearted Dj Mikas for finding the time to reply to this interview
Many thanks to Wilf Libgott from Hammarica Management for his support to organise this interview
Additional info:
http://www.djmikas.com
http://www.tranceclass.com
http://www.progressivegrooves.com
http://www.facebook.com/mikastop10
http://www.twitter.com/dj_mikas
www.tranceclass.com
http://www.djmikas.com
http://www.tranceclass.com
http://www.progressivegrooves.com
http://www.facebook.com/mikastop10
http://www.twitter.com/dj_mikas
www.tranceclass.com
