This interview with Miguel Migs has special significance for me…for a number of reasons…I can still remember when I bought a set of turntables, 10 years ago or so. The first record I picked out was Nude Dimensions, Vol. 3., featuring a track by Miguel. I can also remember being moved by his mixes, like Nude Tempo One, which still may be my favorite deep/soulful house mix of all time. In this interview, Miguel says he tries to inspire a “positive memorable feeling” in people with his music. I can say he’s certainly done that for me!
Q: I think it’s safe to say you’re one of the best-known deep house artists in the world. What do you see as being the key factors to your success? Is it your work ethic or maybe natural talent, good fortune, or a certain personality trait?
A: I’m not exactly sure…maybe a little bit of everything you just mentioned. Also, staying consistent through the years plays a part, and that shows in the music. Staying true to doing what you feel shows in your music and vibe, and that’s genuine. Some artists seem to be more interested in just following what’s trendy rather than what they feel.
Q: Which period of your electronic music career so far has been the most fun? Was it the early days (the mid nineties) when you first started producing? Or was it possibly around the turn of the millennium when you mixed the sensational Nude Tempo One release, or maybe when you started your Salted Music label?
A: I guess the most fun for me would be the 90s. The economy was healthy, and that was pre-9/11. I think people were a little less stressed in general, or at least I know I was…less responsibility, just having fun, playing music and experimenting with electronic production…plus there was more feeling and emotion in the music in my opinion, and there was more excitement at the parties, and more of an open minded diverse communal vibe to it all.
Q: What made you focus on the genre of deep house? How does the music make you feel when you’re producing, DJ-ing, or listening to it?
A: The feeling of it all is what inspired me, and I was drawn to the soulful side of things. I always have been no matter what kind of music it is, and I love all styles of music. I didn’t really plan on being so involved with house music. I was playing live music in bands but became really attracted to writing and producing soulful dance music in the studio. It all sort of progressed from there, and I sort of just dove into it. If I’m working on something, I usually give it all my focus and energy, and somehow I managed to stick with it.
Q: As a follow up on the previous question, how do you want people to feel when they’re listening to your music? Are you trying to evoke a particular physical, mental, or even spiritual response?
A: Music is amazing in that it can be so powerful with creating memories and triggering all kinds of emotions. When I’m creating music, I’m simply doing what I feel, and it’s coming from somewhere pure, so my goal is for people to connect and identify with the music on a deeper level. I prefer to inspire a positive memorable feeling rather than just a night out of getting wasted and partying at the club…I mean, there is room for it all and a time and place for everything, and I love and listen to all kinds of music, but I gravitate towards the soulful side of things.
Q: There’s something especially natural and fitting about the combination of your productions with the vocals of Lisa Shaw. How did your artistic chemistry with her develop?
A: We met over 10 years ago and connected right away. We are great friends and connect on musical ideas fairly easily, so it’s pretty stress free when we collaborate on a song. She is always a joy to work with as we both have a focused work ethic and similar taste in music…and she is a great person along with being super talented, which makes it even more enjoyable to work with her.
Q: In some contexts, you’ve gone by the moniker “Petalpusher.” Does the term have any particular meaning? What’s its origin?
A: That was the name I used on my first release with Naked Music back around 1998 or ’99. I had finished a song called “Breakin It Down” featuring the vocal talents of Ledisi. At that same time Naked Music was in the making so they wanted to pick up the song and use it as their first release… I wanted to use another name besides Miguel Migs, and “Petalpusher” came about spontaneously, partly to do with the artwork for the single. Petal referring to the petal from a flower.
Q: What do you want your musical legacy to be?
A: I just love writing and creating music, and I will continue to do so as long as there is someone out there who enjoys listening to it!
Tags: Deep House Music, Lisa Shaw, Miguel Migs, Nude Dimensions, Nude Tempo, Soulful House Music, Vol. 3
