Mikie Smithers Interview

October 18, 2004 12:03 PM
by

Here is another DJ/Producer/Remixer in the scene working his way up. When out for the night to dance, I always enjoy hearing the sounds of a new DJ and that's what it was like when I saw Mikie Smithers.

And once again I enjoy sharing with my readers and doing interviews with someone who becomes a headliner and I got to interview him first. Let me introduce to you a future house legend.............

CJ: Name?
MS: Mikie Smithers

CJ: Age?
MS: 27

CJ: Profession?
MS: DJ/Producer/Remixer/Broker

CJ: Education?
MS: Some College

CJ: Current City?
MS: Huntington Beach, CA

CJ: How does music influence your work?
MS: It gets me through the day so I can get home and do what I love that’s produce hot dance tracks

CJ: What is the most common mistake made in the House Music industry?
MS: Well most people think that there going to be super star DJ’s and make tons of cash overnight and when it doesn’t happen most just quit and hang up there headphones.

CJ: Your affiliations to the House Music industry?
MS: I’m an entertainer I play my own music as well as other people’s music. I try and spread a positive feeling and that feeling is to have fun feel the music and let yourself go so we can together keep House music and what it’s all about alive.

CJ: What is your approach to remixing?
MS: My approach is to take a track that gives me a good feeling and remix it so that more people can feel that same feeling that maybe didn’t when it was the original mix because it wasn't there style or it might just have been the wrong genre of music for there particular taste.

CJ: House Music rookie year?
MS: That would have to be me.

CJ: First record you ever bought?
MS: It would have been when I was in the 7th grade my very first 12” was the 2 Live Crew “Hey We Want Some Pussy”

CJ: Last record you bought?
MS: Kaskade “Steppin Out” on Om records.

CJ: Top 5 clubs in your area?
MS: V2O, Focus, Deep, Deizel, and King King.

CJ: Top 5 record stores in your area?
MS: This is Music, Wax, DJ Culture, Dr. Free Clouds, and Exodus Dance Music.

CJ: Define House music for those that don’t know?
MS: House music is a certain underground culture and attitude it’s very positive, melodic and soulful. If you haven’t been exposed to it yet now’s the time its never to late, get yourself some House Music today

CJ: When were you first introduced to House Music?
MS: I was first introduced to house music back in 1993 when the rave scene was poppin.

I was at a party in the Trance room (the big huge area) when I heard this funky deep bass line coming through the wall I said to my friends what’s that funky rumble sound I hear, so we went outside and around to the other room (the smaller room) and there it was a DJ spinning to a much smaller crowd having just as much if not more fun playing these sexy fun and soulful sounds.

So I asked someone on the dance floor what kind of music is this they replied HOUSE Music, every since then I was hooked.

CJ: What clubs did you frequent when you first joined the scene?
MS: Well I went to all the biggest Raves, at that time I didn’t now many clubs in my area playing House except after hours at Coconut Teasers called “Does your Momma Know” that was the spot.

CJ: Crystallize your contribution to the House Music scene in one sentence?
MS: I love this music and I want everybody to feel the same, so my contribution is to keep the scene alive so some day hopefully it will be main stream all over the world especially in the U.S.A.

CJ: Describe your style?
MS: I would have to say it’s a cross between Deep, sexy, funs, and soulful, melodic, dance party music. What ever sounds good!

CJ: What nightclubs have a special place in your heart and why?
MS: Well I have to say club Maze in Miami. That place is so awesome in every since the setting the sound the people the music, not to mention I saw some of the sickest DJ’s in the world play there. Oh man some good times there.

CJ: What separates a good DJ from a great one?
MS: Well that’s hard to say there are lots of good ones and a couple of great ones. It’s all about the mixes and the music, but let’s not forget stage presence. Then again I don’t make those decisions the people that go to the shows make those decisions.

CJ: What advice would you give to someone coming up in the scene?
MS: Have fun doing what you love don’t give up and keep it real. Just remember the bigger you get the more people try and pick you apart.

CJ: How would you describe your own personality?
MS: Very fun and easygoing I love everybody; I’ll respect you as long as you do the same.

CJ: What are your future goals?
MS: My future goals are to have fans all around the world, to have as many records as I can out on as many labels as possible to be in all the DJ / Producer Magazines and someday have a Grammy on my fireplace mantle .

CJ: Hobbies?
MS: Surfing, Snowboarding, riding dirt bikes, DJ’ing, Dancing, Producing Music.

CJ: Favorite Books?
MS: The Closer

CJ: Favorite Entertainer?
MS: Ben Stiller

CJ: Favorite foods
MS: Mexican (HOT SPICY STUFF)

CJ: When I retire I’d like to………?
MS: Move to Hawaii.

CJ: What does dance music mean to you?
MS: It means letting yourself go, expressing yourself, the ultimate release.

CJ: When people look back at your life, how do you want to be remembered? MS: I just want to be remembered as someone who was funny, successful, and good to others and did everything that I said I was going to do.

CJ: What does love and unity mean to you?
MS: They are feelings in side and everybody’s different but to me no word’s can describe these two feelings.

Thanks Mikie for taking the time while in San Francisco to do this interview.