We caught up with emerging multi-talented DJ and producer Mikey Shanley as he prepares to take over the North American Dance music scene!
Hi Mikey, how are you and what’s going on in your world at the moment?
Truthfully, I’m blessed. I’m balancing working 3 jobs and grinding away in the studio to produce roughly 2-3 tracks per month. My mom is doing good with her stage 4 cancer and the DJ documentary she inspired me to make is releasing summer 2017. To say that I stay busy and am pushing really hard at leaving those jobs behind to DJ full time is an understatement. I’m tired and frazzled a bit, but I’m motivated and taking it all full on. Life is beautiful and I love working towards my goals.
Where are you currently based?
Fort Lauderdale Florida, however I am from Pittsburgh and have a very special place in my heart for the Pacific Northwest.
How would you describe your sound?
More than any genre, I like to make people feel hyped, bright and free yet also groove with a heads down style. Hyperfunk! Manic grooves! Bigroom-bright tech with a tropial twist. Sounds like a drink I should order at WMC before event and seminar hopping LOL. I truly love electronic music as a whole so I am always in my lane but looking for ways to expand. I’ll look for inspiration from, say, Umek but then think about how I can fuse a more big room Bingo Players sound with a future bass-Marshmellow style airy summertime break down. I started out DJ’ing as “DJ Sirius”, UK Hardcore/Trancecore with Drum and bass and Hard Dance. I was a straight up “kandi kid”. I even traveled to the UK for Hardcore Heaven. Moving to Miami gave me access to Ultra Music Fest every year where I fell in love with what I like to call “big room grooves” or “big room tech”. Anyone who has experienced that classic Carl Cox and Friends stage with the likes of Fat Boy Slim banging away while burning one down knows what I mean. I’m also a Mix and Mastering engineer so beyond the politics of the dance scene, I appreciate it all because I’m obsessed with how each genre does what it does sonically.
Who were your influences growing up?
I’m a third generation DJ in my family, so my grandpa (Mad Mike Metro) and his famously ecclectic mix of punk and instrumentals really caught my ear. He was the biggest DJ in the Pittsburgh area and the voice of a generation on AM and FM radio. As a teen, Anabolic Frolic, DJ Irene, Donald Glaude, DJ Dan and in general the entire “PLUR” scene was great. We need more love in this world and should retain our childlike ways of being creative and non-judgmental. Later on, definitely one name: Carl Cox.
How did you get involved in the Dance music business?
I literally grew up in Pittsburgh radio stations with my grandpa and mom. WYEP, WPLW, WWCS, WZUM and a few others. Aside from that, I was in regionally touring rock bands as a teen and also went to Berklee for Music Business.
Where would you like to see yourself in the months ahead?
I honestly see myself as an uprising Carl Cox 2.0 with an American twist as a result of my nationality. I want to be a “pappa bear” of the scene. Not the biggest mainstage flavor of the week per-say, but someone that people look to (eventually) as more than a DJ, but an institution, a trusted tastemaker of forward thinking sounds. I’m the DJ the youngsters will watch and put the headphones back on and turn their sync buttons off to beatmatch the organic way. With those inevitable drifting beats, we will laugh and remember that it is a PARTY and we should smile and have fun! If that means I’m not underground enough for some of those that are a bit more “abstract”, so be it. If I don’t jump on the latest trends that come and go, so be it, but it will always be forward thinking.
What is your ultimate career dream?
Ultimately, I want to give back. I want to motivate people to feverishly not only chase but accomplish their dreams in life. To uplift crowds through sounds and psycohology so that they have an experience that builds love, confidence, and mental/physical health in themselves. I want to show the common person how they can live full, build wealth and give back. I want to be the Tony Robbins of the dance/DJ world LOL.
Can you tell us about any upcoming releases and what has been your career highlight so far?
Right now I am an unsigned artist. I am shopping around while also building about 3 completed tracks a month. I am actively looking for opportunity and knocking down doors, which is also why I have three jobs and commit myself to multiple tracks a month. Playing San Francisco last year was a gift. Coming in second place 2 years in a row from the Miami New Times contests and getting to play Space was awesome.
Who’s inspiring you in 2017?
Bingo Players, Fedde Le Grand, Umek, Eric Pryda, Chus.
If you could choose, who would you like to collaborate with?
Fat Boy Slim and I would definitely get along well. Tommy Sunshine would be awesome because I am also a “long hair, does care”…even when my hair is short. Being that I have had some success on charting on the Spinnin’ Records Talent Charts, I’d also branch out to someone like Sophie Francis. Get it, girlie! Thomas Jack would be awesome too, being that we are both beach punks.
Tell us something not many people know about Michael Shanley?
I’m punk rocker at heart. Totally into a beat guitar and a loud half stack. I’m trying to get Nichole Moudaber to start a band with me (because that hair…come on!), but she didn’t respond yet. I’m vegan. I love yoga. I’m an only child and a Pisces to the bone.
Anything to add/shout outs?
I think it’s important to not become a victim of the politics of dance music. For years I only listened to techno and tech house and despite loving other sounds, I wouldn’t really let myself explore them and that was very detrimental to my happiness. As great as things are here for those sounds, this isn’t Berlin. It’s different here. Fighting that uphill battle, instead of learning to use it, hurt my innovation of what is now my “manic groove sound”. On another note, try to look around and remind yourself that you are not the only one on earth. Take care of the earth. Slow down. Be happy and fulfilled yet also knowledgeable. Read!
Mikey Shanley Online
http://www.mikeyshanley.com
https://twitter.com/@djmikeyshanley
https://soundcloud.com/mikeyshanleyofficial
https://www.instagram.com/djmikeyshanley