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rottinghollows · 7 years ago

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Episode 022: An Encounter with Mikal Jones

Mikal Jones is a producer/DJ based out of Texas whom I’ve known for some time now. We conducted this interview sometime ago, so unfortunately some things have dated a bit. At the time of this being posted, and shortly after we wrapped up our interview, Mikal has since put out a third installment to his “GET FUQ’D” series of mixes, so be sure to give that a listen. As always, our interview is below, so enjoy!

RH: For those reading, mind sharing a bit about yourself to get started?

MJ: I’m a 20 year old DJ and producer from Atlanta, Georgia. I’m currently residing in the heart of Texas. I’m a part-time college student and a full-time artist who loves dogs and long walks on beaches. *laughs*

RH: What made you move out to Texas if I can ask?

MJ: All about family. I moved out here originally with my parents a while back, but I was going between family in Atlanta and Houston. Atlanta is my home until I die though. Only reason I’m not there now is because of college.

RH: When did you formally begin to DJ and produce music? How long have you been doing it?

MJ: I’ve been DJing since I was around 11 when I got my first MacBook and a horrible little plastic turntable that used Virtual DJ. I had that for about a year and a half until my dad helped me get a Pioneer/Serrato DDJ-SX controller that blew my mind, man. It was such a huge upgrade. A year or so after that, I got a trial version of Abelton and FL Studio(called FruityLoops at the time). I was horrible at producing and mainly focused on DJing under the alias “Reel Noize”. I was very young and inexperienced, to make a long story short I took a hiatus for about a year or so to work on school. I came back making music and DJing under my birth name(pronounced “My-Kull”). I currently use a DDJ-SX2 for mixing and FL Studio 12 for production.

RH: When its come to producing and DJing, have you taught or yourself or did you have help in some way?

MJ: Mostly everything I’ve learned was from teaching myself or figuring it out, sometimes watching someone else do it. I will occasionally resort to Youtube for little tips or to look something up, although that’s somewhat rare. I remember watching Deadmau5 and Excision live and just studying their live performances, listening to their transitions and wondering how they did it, and wanting to put different pieces of music beautifully together like they did.

RH: At what point did you begin putting together the “GET FUQ’D” music mixes, and what is it you go for with each mix? They’re very well made.

MJ: Thank you! I appreciate that greatly. Basically in the past I’ve just put out random mixes that I thought were good enough to upload, though they had no real direction or goal other than for people to hear what I can do. Back around February I decided I'd start a series of mixes that would have new content every other Sunday. I figured “GET FUQ’D” was as good a name as any. I released the first on April 15 and the second (newest) on April 29, with the third coming May 13. Some are only one genre throughout, others I try to bend the genres a little bit. Although they are still essentially a collection of random mixes that are now just a little bit more organized, soon I will hopefully have some surprise guest DJ’s as well as other exciting stuff in the works.

RH: Are there any DJs you have in mind to put on to your mixes at the moment?

MJ: That there is a secret for the time being *laughs* I'm constantly searching around for other DJ's I like and planning for the future. I CAN tell you it should be soon though. Mostly likely before 005 if things go smoothly.

RH: I wanted to discuss a bit about 'Melting Crowns' a track you produced for Ayame from ENDS. How'd you guys end up coming together for that song?

MJ: So there’s a lot of moving pieces but basically I linked up with RjThaGuru on “Demons” who I met over at fadeddecade when he was in Texas for a little bit and he’s apart of NoDomsHQ. Through them I found FURY who if I’m not mistaken is apart of NoDoms and ENDS. Started listening and finding other ENDS artists and found Ayame. Honestly I can’t remember who approached who first, but it was basically a situation where I had this track that I wanted someone to get on and just take over, if that makes sense. He said he liked the track so he hopped on it, he straight killed it man. He flipped that track upside down and surprised the hell out of me with the way he approached it and delivered. He’s an awesome guy and a great artist that everyone needs to check out.

RH: Along with your future releases for GET FUQ'D, do you have anything else planned for this year?

MJ: I have a lot of new music I’m working on right now that I believe is some of the best pieces of work I’ve made. Along with that will come many features most likely with some familiar faces and some other people I’ve never worked with. As for the series, I just started and there’s no slowing down for me and no end in sight. Nothing but new and experimental shit will be coming as far as that goes.

RH: When would you say you're satisfied enough with a track to share and post it? Are you ever nervous or insecure about it?

MJ: I do get nervous a little bit sometimes sending tracks to artists, but not too much really. I don’t really feel insecure with anything I put out, because even if it’s horrible I want people to be able to (hopefully) see the progress I’ve made. I’m satisfied with a track when I can get myself to be hyped hearing it. When I can start thinking of lyrics for it and such if it’s a song I want somebody on, that’s when I feel confident in the song to send to another artist or upload, according to whatever plan I have for that track.

RH: As a producer, who would you say you're inspired by?

MJ: My inspiration comes from other producers and artists that I work with that push me, as well as older bands like Slipknot, Korn, Alice in Chains, Pink Floyd and other artists like deadmau5, Bob Marley, 311, Umphreys McGee and many, many others. My brother is also a huge inspiration and reason for why I’m so into music in general. He got into a lot of those bigger artists at a young age, especially bands like Slipknot and 311.

RH: Who would you like to see yourself work with down the line?

MJ: There’s a bunch of different artists I’d like to work with such as DeerGod, Juniorending, DonnieHardaway, imann_xox, dalxsim and AlexCicillini... but like I said many many more.

RH: What made you choose your birth name as your artist name? Most artists have an alias, although you and Jordan Cargiulo seem to share that aspect. Are you just not comfortable using an alias?

MJ: I’m not against aliases, it’s probably just more or less not being able to think of a name or something that I think either fits or is good. I guess I could just never find something I liked, because even when I was young and had an alias I hated it. My actual name will never change so I figured why not. I’ve always been like that with usernames and stuff like that in general anyways.

RH: Before we close out, I'd like to ask, is music producing and DJ as a hobby, or do you seek a future in these things for yourself?

MJ: I’m pursuing music as a career. I DJ here and there at random gigs and am trying to get a little traction locally. As an artist I am wanting to just put out as much quality music as I can and build from there. I can’t say exactly when but soon I will have a collection of songs ready to put out and should be on multiple streaming services.

RH: Good stuff man, that'll do it. Before we close up, got any final words or shoutouts to give?

MJ: Just a huge thank you to you, the awesome people that I mentioned before, and to anyone reading. I appreciate it more than words can describe.

RH: Much appreciated man, thank you for your time.

Links:

Mikal Jones

Twitter

Soundcloud

Traktrain

ENDS + Members

Twitter

Soundcloud

Shop

Ayame - Twitter/Soundcloud

DeerGod - Twitter/Soundcloud

FURY - Twitter/Soundcloud

Junior - Twitter/Soundcloud

NoDoms + Members

Twitter

Youtube

RjThaGuru - Twitter/Soundcloud

DonnieHardaway - Twitter/Soundcloud

Dalxsim - Twitter/Soundcloud

Faded Decade

Twitter

Website

Iman Xox

Twitter

Soundcloud

Alex

Twitter

Soundcloud

Next Episode: Syhnical

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