When did music become a big part of your life and were you influenced by family?
Music in general has been a huge inspiration for me my entire life! I grew up going to concerts and festivals with my family when i was very young so its always been around me.
   
Who was an inspiration to you?
while growing up i listened to many different kinds of music, but people like Jimi Hendrix, Bob Marley, Bad Brains, The Police, Led Zep. that was the kind of stuff i listened to everday while growing up! My parents had all these amazing records so it was always around me.
   
I understand you was in a band, did you have much success with that?
That was a great experience. I was a teenager making a living playing guitar in a reggae band and we had a very strong local following in Santa Cruz (california) where we were based.
   
What instruments do you play?
Guitar, a little keys, bass and percussion. Enough to play on all my own productions and music.
   
In what capacity has your music been used on TV shows?
A little bit here and there. Shows like 6 feet under and MTV's real world and Road Rules as well as some soap operas interestingly enough (here in the states) called General Hospital and Days of our Lives...
   
How did you become a dj?
I use to mess around on my friends equipt. playing hip-hip, house, and reggae..... Then started playing at house partys and little bars and wearhouse events.
   
What was the first house record you did?
I think the first house production i did that was actually released was a remix for naked music nyc called 'If I Fall'.
   
Are you pleased with the progression of your Salted label so far and do you have any particular goals set for the label?
The response has been great so far on all the releases, so im excited about pushing this label forward. Its another creative outlet for me to put energy into and release music from new artists as well as established ones. We have alot in the works, for instanse Lisa shaw's next album is coming out in sept./oct. of this year on Salted, plus Im pushing a new artist by the name of Joshua Heath who is doing a few eps for us.
   
How would you describe the sound of the label?
Funky, deep, soulful, quality electronic dance music is a good way to describe it i guess.
   
Your new album “Those Things’ is fantastic and full of some varied styles, did it take long to complete or plain sailing!?
I worked on this album for about a year in between touring and all, so i took my time and didnt want to rush it to fast, but rather just work on music when I had the time. Things were relatively smooth and stress free though while writing and recording all the music, so it was a positive experience all in all....
   
I like the emphasis you have on the tracks being for listening pleasure and not just tailored for the average dance floor, which is where so many albums get boring, is that something you try to carry through all your music?
Cool, im glad you understand where im coming from on that! Yea, in general I have always liked to create music that is not for your average commercial dance floor, but with this album especially I wanted to make a dance album that was more listening pleasure oriented rather than just for the DJ's or dance floors. I have alot of fans out there that do not even particularly like dance music in general, but this is something that people can appreciate and listen to at any given time of tha day and enjoy the melodies and song writing as an album and not just a clubbed out compilation.
   
Can you tell us about some of the collaborations on the album.
There is only so much one can do on an album and there are alot of vocalists i would love to work with, but it was great to be able to work with everyone on this album as they are all very talented and diverse vocalists with styles that i enjoy and respect very much.
   
My favourite tracks are ‘So far’ and ‘Shake It Up’ do you have any favourites?
I like those songs as well, but i also really like the way 'Cant get through', 'Fire', 'Sometime', 'Get down' and 'Those things' turned out.... thos eare all my favourites.
   
Mesmerised has been released as a single with additional remixes, are there any more tracks from the album forthcoming with remixes?
Yea, there is 'So Far' and 'Those things' that are being released as singles as well with multiple remixes.... but I also have some great remixes of 'Let me be', 'sometime' and 'Fire' that will be released at some point...
   
Do you get involved with the artwork side of things?
Yea, i try and stay up on it all, but its tough because of how much im on the road.
   
Can you say about what’s forthcoming on Salted?
Lisa shaw's next album will be released in sept/oct. along with a few singles before then....
   
Do you still do much work with Jay Denes and Naked Music?
Not really, im just focusing on Salted right now. Its important to me to keep it fresh and exciting so Salted is a new creative inspiration for me right now.
   
What parties can we see you spinning at at WMC?
Salted, exclusively!
   
Do you like to do live shows?
Yea, very much...
   
Are you a shoes or trainers man!?
shoes!
   
When travelling from country to country, where do you most enjoy eating?
I always look forward to checking out local restaurants and different kinds of food depending on where i am.
   
What do you do to relax away from music?
Chill on the beach, BBQ, check out movies, try new restaurants, ride my bike, hang with friends.
   
What is next for Miguel Migs this year?
Touring for the album, starting a new full live band and working on salted!