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!
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
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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