Tag Archives: Mike Push

Review: Sean & Xander “Replicant”

 

M.I.K.E. Push joined Schulz Music Group in 2013, and since then has been working hard to make the Coldharbour Recordings label a force to be reckoned with. With such a legend on the team, it’s of no surprise when two hot newcomers, Sean Gorey & Alex Lueth (AKA Sean & Xander), emerged from Coldharbour Recordings’ new sub-label, “M.I.K.E. Push Studio” to win our ears with their latest single “Replicant”, recently played on the August 20th, 2015 episode of Global DJ Broadcast.

This fresh track kicks off with a combination of snares and kick-drums that smoothly transition into an uplifting melody that is accompanied by the seductive sounds of a Siren. The vocals echo like the ancient temptress of the sea, seducing us into the track without hesitation by way of nostalgia of classic trance. Once we are fully entranced, a new set of drums takes us off from our epic trance state and into a new speed that is brought forth with fierce drums and a new overpowering minimalistic bassline that pulses perfectly with a new synths. The faultless combination of instruments and electronic sounds are perfectly amplified as the track reaches its closing note. Just like the track began, the smooth alluring sounds of an echoing Siren leads us out of its spell with a fury of snares, drums and melodic synths.

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Despite this being their first production that has aired on GDJB, the two men have torn up dance floors all over Seattle and have accumulated quite a bit of experience and guidance. This can be seen in “Replicant”. The song has all the elements of a dark progressive Coldharbour track with a touch of euphoric vocals that are equally captivating and pulsingly powerful. Seeing as how their first bootleg was their take on the classic evil robot franchise Terminator, we can see their love for futuristic robots with the title of this track. You don’t need techno robot ears to enjoy this hit.  Quite a debut tune for Sean & Xander; “Replicant” will be their track to bust open the doors of stardom and turn a few heads. In the Wild West of New DJs, these new players are a duo to watch out for.

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Follow Sean & Xander
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Interview: Trance Legend M.I.K.E. Push

Mike Push is probably best known for his legendary trance classics “Universal Nation”, “Strange World” and “Legacy” which were first released in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Today you can still find him in his New York based studio continuing to produce some massive trance tracks.

Over the past couple of years I’ve been lucky enough to catch some of M.I.K.E. Push’s live sets in San Francisco, Los Angeles and Miami. A little while back before one of his shows, I had some time to chat with him and found out that some of the music he enjoyed listening to back in the late 1980s to early 1990s were some of my favorites from back then too (Industrial music including VNV Nation, Front 242 among others). So I was really excited when I got the opportunity to ask him some questions about his music background, new tracks he’s recently released, plus more!

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When did you know that music was your calling?

It all started when I was really young. I loved buying records at the local vinyl shop and getting home and playing it for hours. I would make mix tapes and fell in love with the thought of how one could make or create music.

Who were some of your earliest influences when you first started producing and DJing?

Actually, what really inspired me was the synthpop of the ’80s. The image, the sounds. From Depeche Mode to New Order. And then when I first heard dance music coming into the ’90s, I started doing my own projects under M.I.K.E., Push, Plastic Boy, Solar Factor and many other aliases!

How would you define your style when you first started producing to where it is today? When did you start to think of yourself as a trance DJ/producer (I read somewhere that you started producing before there even was “trance”)?

I started early into the ’90s. Music for me was started off as a hobby. I thought I would become a football (soccer) player someday. But I had to choose. And music was my calling. I made so much music from dark techno to acid in the earlier times, but I soon found more melodic sounds and I just let go from there! How music evolves plays a big part in how a music producer evolves in his own productions. But I always say that the foundation shall always remain.

Most recently you’ve been known by M.I.K.E. Push , but you’ve had many different aliases over the years (M.I.K.E. , PUSH, Plastic Boy, etc.). How did some of those aliases come about?

Many of these aliases have a different sound. I love experimenting with different types of trance. So many aliases come with a particular sound. Sometimes I have trouble naming them all.

You’ve been in the music scene for a while. What’s it been like to watch trance, and dance music in general, evolve from when you first got started to where it is today?

When I started producing trance in my earlier days, it was ALL about the music. Going out to hear that new sound and music. Buying it for the first time on vinyl. It was special. People didn’t have all the easy sources they have today in order to get their hands on that new song. The internet went so fast with music. A lot of bad came out of it, but also good being, like being exposed to new markets.

I’ve noticed the trend in the past year or so there are more and more DJs are starting to play extended or open to close sets. Also there seems to be a resurgence of trance classics being played and even classics only sets. What do you think is driving this change?

I believe there is a desire for the real reason why trance was made. Why people would go out to hear music. Why the excitement for their favorite artist coming to play at their favorite venue was so exciting. People want this feeling back. Today a DJ will typically play a one hour set. Extended makes it more intimate. It’s almost like going into the underground. And I’m down with that. I produced by music coming from my heart and not aimed at radio air play.

Are there other genres besides trance or even outside of dance music that you listen to just for enjoyment or to find inspiration?

Yes. I enjoy ’80s synth pop very much. I also appreciate jazz, Latin and classical music. It’s important to listen and appreciate all kinds of music as a musician. It inspires me in the studio.

Recently you’ve released “Starcraft”, “Pushed Away” and “Visions Become Reality” on Coldharbour Recordings. (Great tracks by the way!) Do you have any other new tracks in the works?

I have a big release coming up on July 20th called “Juno” [High Contrast Recordings] with Rank 1, which I’m sure you’ve already heard on every radio show from A State Of Trance to my own radio show Club Elite Sessions! It’s a BIGGIE! You can check out the teaser on my SoundCloud at https://soundcloud.com/mikepush. There’s always something brewing in my Bayside Studios.

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How does your track selection differ on your weekly radio show Club Elite Sessions on di.fm to when you’re playing a club or festival?

The music you hear on my sets is to create an entire experience. I want to see people with their hands up, dancing and feeling the trance going through them. My radio show is aimed to give exposure to up and coming artist with a blend of my live sets and exclusive goodies.

[You can listen to Club Elite Sessions every Thursday at 1 pm PT | 4 pm ET |  on di.fm/trance.]

Since you’re originally from Belgium, Tomorrowland must hold a special place in your heart. What are some of your favorite memories playing that festival?

Well being a resident I was one of the first artists way back for its first edition. We closed out the festival together with Sasha. I’ll never forget it. We danced together on stage to “Universal Nation” and fireworks went off. The crowd went nuts! A very intimate moment with no more than 2,000 people at the time. I’m very proud of the organizers and I love it all these years later. Each year is a different experience.

When you’re not in the studio or on the road how do enjoy spending your time?

I love spending my time with my two boys. Some football (soccer) play, family trips or just a good movie makes me feel recharged from the madness that is the touring/DJ lifestyle. My family keeps me grounded.

Check out all my websites and socials at mikepush.com.

Follow M.I.K.E. Push
Website | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | SoundCloud | iTunes | Beatport | Instagram

Listen to tracks from M.I.K.E. Push’s ‘Starcraft’ EP available on Coldharbour Recordings
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Download on Beatport: bit.ly/clhr210bp

Win a Pair of Tickets to Coldharbour Night LA with KhoMha + Grube & Hovsepian + M.I.K.E.

Here’s your chance to win a pair of tickets for you and your friend to experience Coldharbour Night LA with KhoMha + Grube & Hovsepian and M.I.K.E. at Avalon Hollywood on Saturday, June 7, 2014.

The contest is pretty simple. Each like, follow, tweet gives you an entry into the contest. You don’t have to select them all, it’s just less entries. Contest ends on June 4 and one winner will be chosen at random on June 5.

Coldharbour Night LA at Avalon Hollywood

If the contest doesn’t load on the page, then you can click here to enter: Win a Pair of Tickets to Coldharbour Night LA at Avalon Hollywood

If you don’t want to wait to find out if you’ve won, you can buy tickets here!

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New Music Review: M.I.K.E. Push – Astrolab

Producing and DJing under the name M.I.K.E., he has been releasing records under the guises: Solar Factor, M.I.K.E, The Blackmaster, Return of the Native, Plastic Boy, Šand, and Push. In total, there are around 85 different aliases that span his career, because of either collaborations with other artists or adapting new aliases simply to suit the nature of a particular track. As a DJ, M.I.K.E.’s style is very similar to the music he makes, progressive trance with a techy-edge.

The track “Astrolab” is another fantastic creation coming from M.I.K.E. The drive in this track is incredible and will keep you engaged second after second. The overtly mechanical sound in the initial build gives it that little bit of extra we always look for in M.I.K.E.’s music. This track has so many different aspects of trance that I love its hard not to keep on hitting repeat! After listening to this track on my home system I could only imagine the magic that would happen if this were played at a festival or any large show. I guarantee this one will leave your ears ringing, in a good way. M.I.K.E. has done it again with this perfect blend of sounds we call “Astrolab”. I truly look forward to any music he releases and under the Coldharbour label, you can’t go wrong.

Purchase Astrolab Here!

Follow M.I.K.E.:
Website | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | SoundCloud | Mixcloud | iTunes | Beatport | Instagram

Win a Pair of Tickets to Coldharbour Night Mexico City

CONTEST HAS ENDED – Here’s your chance to win a pair of tickets for you and your friend to experience Coldharbour Night in Mexico City on Friday, April 25, 2014 with Grube & Hovsepian, M.I.K.E. Push and Mr. Pit at Foro Reforma.

The contest is pretty simple. Each like, follow, tweet gives you an entry into the contest. You don’t have to select them all, it’s just less entries. Contest ends on April 21 and one winner will be chosen at random on April 22.

Win a Pair of Tickets to Coldharbour Night in Mexico City

If the contest doesn’t load on the page, then you can click here to enter: Win a Pair of Tickets to Coldharbour Night Mexico City

If you don’t want to wait to find out if you’ve won, you can buy tickets here!

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