CLEAN MIXING SKILLS

Polish DJ/producer MiKu is a man who can legitimately be considered a bastion of the old school.

Since first copping the sounds of Sven Väth back in ’96, he’s since been bitten hard by the production bug and has released a string of house and techno-inclined records during that period. His latest work draws him to the work of Motech Ltd, the sublabel of DJ 3000’s acclaimed Motech label. He took some time out recently to chat to us about the release in question and his history within the electronic music scene…

When did you start DJing – and what or who were your early passions and influences?

My interest started in 1996 when I was 16 years old. The deciding factor was the electronic music radio show “hr3-clubnight”, during which one night I was listening to a DJ set from Sven Väth, I was hooked right away. A short time later I was bought my first mixer and turntables, and it’s been an obsession ever since really.

What was the scene like back then? What’s been the biggest changes?

The biggest change is the Internet. These days, everyone can make music with anyone through the Internet. You don’t need a big studio to create music, you just need to be creative. And with a low budget you can produce music.

What do you personally consider to be the biggest moments in your artistic career so far? What’s given you the greatest satisfaction?

In 2001 I played in Warsaw, Poland, in front of 2000 people. It was a great experience. And of course my first release on KK Trax in 1998.

How do you rate yourself as a DJ and producer? What are your faults? What are your strengths?

As DJ I keep an eye on good vinyl and try to select the right track at the right moment. Because I am a huge fan of vinyl I like the oldschool stuff.  Also Important for me are clean mixing skills. Actually, I’m not the biggest technology freak, therefore I rely on my feelings while producing.

How would you like to improve?

I need to deal better with new technology!

Didn’t you go on hiatus for a while with your music? What was your thinking there?

Yeah, around 2004 I took a break for approximately 3 years. During this time the music just didn’t really touch me. The music style in the electronic business was very minimal. I didn’t really like it, so I took a break, which ended up being a great decision.

Going back a bit, did you immediately love dance music or did it take you a while to appreciate what it was all about?

No, I was into it pretty much from the off. This kind of music is based without words and vocals and everyone in the world can understand it.

Were you interested in other styles as a kid then? Are you still?

As a kid back in Poland I listened to different kind of songs, from Vangelis straight on through to Iron Maiden! These were the first cassettes I bought. Currently, I also like underground music like funk and hip-hop.

How do you choose what music you’ll play at a gig then? What do you look for in a track when you’re going record shopping, for example?

I select my records from feeling but of course, I also inform myself about what music is played there. The music has to get me. Sometimes it is only a little sequence that I’m into, but that’s cool if that’s the case.

How would you best describe your sound and style to somebody who’s never encountered it before?

My music is definitely for dancefloors. On the one hand it’s hard but it still maintains a certain degree of soul.

Do you reckon access to technology a good or bad thing when we take the quality of modern electronic music into consideration?

Nowadays, anyone can make music without expensive studio equipment. I would not say that everything that’s new equally bad. I am convinced that quality will push through.

What are you most excited about in 2015?

I’m most looking forward to my release on Motech!

Miku’s World In Shards is out soon on Motech Ltd