Brooklyn Mike – “Sometimes I Get The Feeling I’m Too Much For People”

Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York. Michael (Mike) got his first pair of turntables and began mixing at the age of 14. Within a few years he was playing all around New York and built a name for himself in some of the trendiest venues because of his unique sound. He also takes his stage name Brooklyn Mike from the cosmopolitan borough in which he was Born and raised. Throughout his career which spans over two decades, Brooklyn Mike has been privileged enough to play at some of New York’s hippest venues. Check out Mike’s Exclusive Q&A by S&S below.

S&S: What’s your style of music? How do you describe it?
BM: Techno. ::boisterous bouts of laughter:: Its a feeling inside. It’s a drive and a constant chug.

S&S: Who or what was most instrumental to you when it came to music?
BM: The drum. Man, that conga drum. I played a Darbuka drum, my father gave me, as a child. Roman Ricardo was my mentor when it comes to djing.

S&S: What drives you creatively?
BM: Watching peoples expressions to sound. I hear sounds in between sounds when I listen to other artists, where I want to put my own.

S&S: How much does your audience influence you and your music selection?
BM: In song selection, the way the audience is moving helps me know if they are really feeling the beat or the bass. Like when people look at you and make a face that’s just like ‘yeah’!

S&S: What artists or genres do you listen to when you’re not working?
BM: Jazzzzzz. Disco Classics. Mostly Techno.

S&S: Do you have any favorite memories of growing up with your family?
BM: When my dad taught me to play the accordion. He taught me; not showed me but taught me. He actually told me what keys to play. Eventually I picked it up. I developed a sound.

S&S: Is there anything you would like people to know about you?
BM: Yeah, how dedicated I have been my whole life to the love of techno and playing on those decks. My true personality. Sometimes I get the feeling i’m too much for people. I’m not as aggressive as people think I am. I am outgoing and friendly because I love conversation with everyone.

S&S: Are there any charities you are working with or excited to tell us about?
BM: I worked with the Make a Wish foundation, in the past. I dj’d three parties for children in need.

S&S: Are there any questions that you wish people would ask you?
BM: Where are you playing next. How can we hear more of you?

S&S: And on the flip side of that, are there any questions or references you wish people would stop asking or using?
BM: Yes, to switch to digital. ::timidly laughs:: I do not want to use controllers.

S&S: What artist(s) have you been the most excited to work with?
BM: Steven Silk Hurley, DJ Skip, DJ Pierre, My Digital Enemy, Head-kandi, Andy Norman, Krystal Roxx, Joelle Atkins, Ministry of Sound, Boris, Deborah De Luca, Rob Mirage, Stacy Kidd, Derb

S&S: Are there any artists that you dream of working with on a collaboration?
BM: Nicole Moudaber, Sam Paganini, S & S Experience, Dubspeeka, Young Bad Twins, E-smoove, Nathan Barato, The Junkies

S&S: What can we look forward to next from you?
BM: Lots of track production.

S&S: What legacy would you like to leave?
BM: My knowledge. All the experiences I lived over my life. Bits of history and knowledge about where techno and house music came from. Who was apart of it all and how everyone was a piece of the whole culture.

Q&A By: Shannon “Skip” Syas – S&S Chicago

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