E-Smoove – “I Love Analyzing Business And Negotiating Deals”

GRAMMY®-nominated producer and remixer Eric “E-Smoove” Miller is an industry veteran who has remixed tracks from the likes of Michael Jackson, Mary J. Blige, INXS, Seal, Lil Kim and more. As a producer, he is responsible for the House classics “Deja Vu” and “Insatiable”, both featuring vocalist Latanza Waters as well as numerous productions under pseudonyms such as “Praise Cats” and (of course) “Thick Dick” Check out the Exclusive Q&A with S&S below. 

S&S: What’s your style of music? How do you describe it?
ES: If I had to say I had a style of music I play it would be an eclectic blend of House influenced by the span of music I grew up listening to. Overall I like to keep it sexy whether it’s an uplifting vocal or a dark minimal track, you’ll hear it all in my sets.

S&S: Who or what was most instrumental to you when it came to music?
ES: We’d need a whole interview just about that for the amount of people who helped me along the way. The short list is my mom for allowing me to pursuit my love of music when if defied logic, my dad for introducing me to a very broad range of music early in my life, Herb Kent for the Punk Out Music that shaped by teenage ears, my neighbor Ronnie Oden that took me to the parties where I became obsessed with DJing and pre House era dance music, Terry Baldwin, Rodney Baker, Candy J, Mike Hitman Wilson and Ric Sepak for taking interest in my productions before they were worthy of any attention at all. Steve Silk Hurley for taking me under his wing and teaching me how to make records for real. Jere McAllister, Donell Rush, Chantay Savage and so many other helped me along musically and countless A&R people helped me hone my skills.

S&S: What drives you creatively?
ES: So many things. Usually to be honest I’m trying to perfect my spin on some thing else that inspired me which then becomes something new.

S&S: How much does your audience influence you and your music selection?
ES: Tons but I still have to play from my perspective and taste. If I just simply play what the audience wants to hear, they can get anyone to do that. They can just take the audience’s collective playlist and put it on shuffle. lol It’s about balancing the familiar and the new in a way that’s unique to me.

S&S: What artists or genres do you listen to when you’re not working?
ES: I’m a classics head and I like to be turned on to obscure stuff before it breaks, artists like FKA Twigs or Jungle but mostly when I’m not working it’s quiet time or talk radio.

S&S: Do you have any favorite memories of growing up with your family?
ES: Plenty I had a great childhood growing up with my brother and cousins. I think the best were when my cousins would come over to spend the night. We’d laugh continuously. and my Dad playing tons of music.

S&S: Is there anything you would like people to know about you?
ES: I’m extremely shy which sometimes gets interpreted as arrogant when nothing could be further from the truth. I work very hard to be optimistic and to bring value to every relationship I make. I love analyzing business and negotiating deals. I also love a good debate. I should a been a lawyer

S&S: Are there any charities you are working with or excited to tell us about?
ES: Each year I lead my family in a Christmas effort to provide presents for families experiencing hardships. I also work with the Ronald mcDonald House and donate to Autism Speaks as well as grass roots breast cancer awareness efforts like the Tatisia C. Joiner Foundation.

S&S: Are there any questions that you wish people would ask you?
ES: I don’t know that’s a strange question…I guess I would love to add my version of the origins of House music from a fan’s perspective.

S&S: And on the flip side of that, are there any questions or references you wish people would stop asking or using?
ES: Not really maybe the Thick Dick moniker is a bit of a regret, now that I have kids it’s a bit over the top. But for it’s intention it had it’s place.

S&S: What artist(s) have you been the most excited to work with?
ES: Over the years I’ve been excited to work with everyone from Ce Ce Peniston, Chantay, Kym Sims, Barbara Tucker, Paula Abdul, to Ya Kid K, MC Lyte, Deborah Cox go down the list. Michael Hutchence from INXS was an extreme pleasure to work with but I was most excited to work with artists connected to me such as Latanza Waters, Andrea Love, Michael White and Charlean Hines. And Kanye West, I was pretty excited working with him but now you can see why…LOL

S&S: Are there any artists that you dream of working with on a collaboration?
ES: I’ve wanted to work with Janet Jackson in the studio for a long time and Maxwell, PINK, Chaka, Ga Ga, so many…

S&S: What can we look forward to next from you?
ES: I’m to find a balance between my film and marketing businesses with my music/DJ career. It’s tough because really one needs to be the focus.

S&S: What legacy would you like to leave?
ES: I’m hoping to leave a legacy of entrepreneurship in creativity for my girls so that they can bring their ideas and dreams to life in a space of ownership.

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

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