Hailing from San Francisco, Miguel Migs has made house heads bop across the globe for over a decade. For those of you that know the name, I’m sure there has been many occasions when a piece of his music has stole your attention begging you to the ask the question “what is this track?”. For those of you that don’t know the name, I’m sure its an experience you are likely to have soon. His soulful productions and remarkable sets have been seen on numerous labels including NRK, Naked Music, Om Records, Defected, Hed Kandi, Soma, Sony, Yoshitoshi to name but a few. He also runs his own label ‘Salted Music’ which features artists such as Lisa Shaw and Chuck Love. We managed to steal some time from his busy schedule to ask him a few questions.

For those that don’t know you, in your own words could you give us a quick run down of who you are, and what it is that you do?
I’m a music producer/dj/musician from northern California. I enjoy good food, good music of all kinds and good people!

You have been releasing tracks for a good ten years on other labels, what spurred you to start up your own label, Salted Music in 2004?
I wanted to start something new and fresh. Something that I could release my own material on, as well as music from new and established producers around the world.

How does having your own label affect productions for other labels?
Im pretty busy with Salted so I don’t have as much time to focus on remixes and producing music for other labels right now.

What musical trends are you seeing in your part of the world? How is it impacting on your label and/or productions?
I don’t really follow the musical ‘trends’ and never have… I got into all this because i Iove good ‘music’….  I love and listen to all styles of music, so im inspired by whatever im feeling at that moment and its always been that way… I always have incorporated elements of dub, soul, disco, rock, hip-hip and everything else in my music and I will continue to do so…

What Artists are currently exciting you at the minute?
Well, I’m always getting inspiration from all kinds of music, but all i really listen to at home is classic rock, reggae, some old school soul and hip hop… But its mostly stuff ive always listened to my whole life. Artists such as the stones, steely dan, maxwell, erykah badu, prince, tribe called quest, burning spear, steel pulse, dennis brown, jimi hendrix, the black keys, radiohead, adele, and soooooo many more…

You have done work with numerous British labels, such as Drop Music, Defected, Soma, NRK. Do you have many future plans with other british labels?
Right now I’m working on my new album so that’s taking up all my time and energy between touring all the time, so I don’t have any current plans to work with any British labels at the moment.

You have remixed numerous mainstream artists such as Lionel Richie & Macy Gray & your music has featured on numerous TV shows. Are we likely to see you moving further in either of these directions?
I’m just focusing on my new album right now, but i always try and remain open to new projects and working with various artists depending on the project and timing.

If you could name one, what is your favorite piece of studio gear at present?
I’m really enjoying my virus TI this past couple years…

When in the studio, what triggers your inspiration to write a song, and what device is your first port of call to get the idea down? Your guitar, drum machine, synth?
I don’t really pre-think it to much… I like to go in there and create sort of spontaneously and see what happens, although I never have a shortage of ideas and melodies I hear throughout the day in my head… but I usually go into the studio and start building beats and then add in a chord progression or bassline, then on and on…

On tour after the release of album ‘those things’ you performed tracks with a live band. Was it hard transitioning the tracks from your productions to a band performance, or did the band play a main roll in the original productions?
Doing the live band came after the album was released… the transition was pretty natural since the music is easily performed in a live band format being that all the songs have a lot of live instrumentation and arrangements, so it worked out pretty smoothly although it is a lot of work to rehearse and coordinate with everyone’s schedules and all…

You then proceeded to remix the entire album a year later! How would you describe the difference between the original and the remix album?
The remixed album is sort of a reinterpretation of the original album… it still maintains a similar energy, giving the songs a new vibe and flavor. I really enjoy the remixed album and play a lot of those versions in my sets.

You have recently released mix compilation ‘get salted volume 2′. Nearly 3 years on from volume 1, how would you compare and contrast the two?
I approach a mix comp as something that is listening pleasure oriented rather than a night out in the club, so I choose tracks that I can enjoy listening to in the morning, afternoon or night… They are both a little bit different but in the same vein and style maintaining a funky, soulful deep house kind of feeling… I don’t over think it, I just sort of mix tracks together on the fly and see what works.

What musical direction do you see yourself and your label moving in the coming years?
I just produce, play and release music that Im feeling, its that simple… no matter what the tempo… but whether its funky, deep, soulful, techy or vocal, it always has to have a soulful element…

What else lays ahead for Miguel Migs?
Working on music, traveling/touring, hangin’ out with friends, enjoying life!

TrafficMag.com – Original Artist Review with Miguel Migs

Over Halloween weekend there’s no shortage of options for the costumed club-goer. But if you’re into supporting a local celeb behind the decks, it’s hard to beat a gig where Miguel Migs is the main attraction.

The founder of Salted Music has spent most of this decade making a name for house music both here and abroad. The in-demand DJ has gigs around the world, but also makes time to give his Salted club series a local home.

He’s one of the headliners (along with Mark Farina) at the Regency’s big Halloween party on Saturday night.

We decided to check in with Migs to  hear more about his new Salted comp, his favorite peak-of-the-set song, and his fears for 2012.

Name: Miguel Migs

Club night(s): All over the globe

Style(s) of music you spin: Mostly deep, soulful, funky electronic dance music… sometimes downtempo grooves, dub, rock, classics.

So what’s your story, in 100 words or less? I’ve been involved with music my whole life… started out playing guitar in bands when I was a kid and then got inspired by writing and creating electronic music in the early 90’s…. been touring the globe for the past 10 years non-stop and continuing to experiment in the studio creating electronic dance music… and I love fish tacos.

What was the main idea behind your new record, Get Salted Volume 2? It’s just a DJ mix compilation… not a big deal. It’s simply a selection of various underground deep, soulful and tech house tracks mixed together in a smooth continuous flow. I try and stay away from choosing any commercial club music on my mix comps and choose more interesting and unknown tracks that I enjoy at the moment.

What’s your process in putting together compilation CDs? Rather than trying to re-create a night out in the club, I approach a DJ mix comp with the idea of it being enjoyable to listen to at home, in the car, before you go out at night, or anytime…. for the most part I like to select
an underground, soulful, non-commercial tracklist, including quite a few unreleased songs and unknown tracks that build into an extremely seamless mix, taking the listener into the realms of futuristic soulful dance music with a classic house feeling.

How do you choose artists/pare down your selections? I do it very spontaneously without too much planning. Of course I select tracks that I enjoy as well as try and feature a lot of newer artists and material from my Salted label.

What’s been the most rewarding aspect of running your own label? Releasing my own music and maintaining ownership of my own material, as well as picking up and releasing music from new and established artists from all over the world.

Name of a track you can’t get out of your head: It’s actually a new song I just wrote and recorded that will be on my new album coming out next year… was just recording, so it’s stuck in my head.

Name of a current favorite track for the peak of your set: I really like this new track we just released on Salted Music called “Get on Down” by Dutchican Soul from Amsterdam… I’ve been playing that a lot for a while now and it always rocks the spot.

Musical mantra: Play it you feel it an stay open minded!

Favorite DJ experience: That’s a tough one as I’ve had some amazing times playing at various events all over the world, but one that comes to mind is watching the sunrise while playing at an outdoor, open air venue on the beach in Greece during the summer time back in 2001. There was a great crowd of smiling faces all gettin’ down, and an amazing vibe as the sun came up over the Mediterranean Sea. Although I’ve played some great private events and festivals all over the world with other amazing artists, that one is hard to beat…

Worst request: Luckily I rarely get requests, but it would have to be the girl that says, “Can you play that song that goes laaa laaa daaa daaa blaa blaa?…”

Worst club faux pas you’ve committed: I forgot!

Most treasured vinyl score: I love my reggae/dub vinyl collection.

What other music-related projects are you currently working on? Working on a full length new album now. Writing and recording songs with various vocalists… really excited about that, but it takes a while.

What’s something happening in the local music scene that should be getting more attention? Open mindedness! People can be way too close-minded in general and only support and listen to one style of music. I dont understand that, as I listen to and love all different types of music.

What elements would your fantasy club night entail? Amazing sound and good vibes!

Question we didn’t ask you but  you often ask yourself:  What will really
happen in 2012?

READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE

Exclaim Canada's Music Authority: Review of Get Salted Vol 2

Miguel Migs – Get Salted Volume 2
By Sarah Ferguson

Miguel Migs has been elucidating his finesse in house music since the ’90s. The label he started in 2004 ― Salted Music ― raised the bar by not centering on any one tempo or style. Rather, the focus is on spontaneity, flow and listening pleasure. Miguel knows how to bring out the sparkle, the special parts of the music, differentiating from other less memorable and in-distinctive sounds. On Get Salted Volume 2, tracks like “Love Alive” by Jay J. and Charlene Moore, and “Get Up” by Twisted Rhythm featuring Stephen Granville sound classic, breathing the spirit of house. We find more of a new school energy on Fred Everything’s “He’s Lying To You” (with vocals by Tortured Soul). “Just Funk Me Already” by Joshua Heath jives like a shiny new disco tune. “88 Keys To Love” by Nathan G. grooves to a great piano rhythm. This is all house music ― grown up house music for intuitive music lovers. This record invites old fans back with music so funky it’ll keep you dancing all night. (Salted Music – Miguel Migs)

Click here for full review by Exclaim! Canada’s Music Authority

It’s been four years since Miguel Migs released the critically acclaimed Get Salted compilation on his own Salted Records. A lot’s happened since the landmark release – Migs wrote and recorded an album (Those Things), released a remix album (Those Things Remixed) put together a new live act and toured with his band Petalpusher, continued to tour all over the world full time as a DJ, worked on his label, and of course, there’s his beloved ‘67 Chrysler Newport convertible and other life things to take care of, too. With Salted’s catalogue growing at a rapid pace there’s now a wealth of great material to share with the fans – leading us to the August 25 release of Get Salted Volume 2.

In an industry overly saturated with diluted compilations containing dance music hits, Migs digs a little deeper, never having been one to chase the “latest sound” or obsess over what’s popular at the moment. Instead he stays true to his original musical passion maintaining and creating a stylistically soulful yet diversely inspired vibe. Keeping it real he delivers an underground electronic experience oozing futuristic disco, dubbed out techy funk and atmospheric melodies for your listening pleasure. Get Salted Volume 2 shows off Migs’ technically seamless transitions, while he blends a choice selection of underground soulful edged deep house dance grooves, including some unreleased exclusives, that evoke a true booty shaking energy whilest still capturing a deeper emotional response

Get Salted Volume 2 is the perfect CD for a day at the beach, at night at your house party or in the car driving. Miguel Migs “So Far” (Yogi and Husky Deep Wash Dub Edit) brings the vibe in gently with slow synths and a soothing vibe while Nathan G “88 Keys To Love” picks it up with some classic house piano stabs. The space disco of Roberto De Carlo feat. Colin Corvez “You Are The One For Me (Miguel Migs Salted Dub)” is contrasted by the 90’s Hip-House sound of Dutchican Soul “Get On Down” (Unreleased Dub Edit) and then again by the jazzy tech house of Dirty Culture “No Matter How.” Swingin’ soulful grooves are shared by Jay-J with Charlene Moore “Love Alive (Dub)” and Fred Everything feat. Tortured Soul “Lying To You” (Fred Everything Dub) before Migs brings in a little R&B flavor with his own unreleased dub of “Sometime (feat Tim Fuller.)” You get the point by now, don’t cha? It’s a soul/R&B/House/disco party mix that works equally well on large sound systems and little earbuds.

Although based in San Francisco, Migs spends most of his time on the road these days. As such, he’s never in one place long enough to be influenced by current trends and “hot sounds.” Migs has always been true to himself and his live DJ sets bring together even more genres than displayed in this compilation. Migs will tour throughout the remainder of the summer and the fall in support of Get Salted Volume 2. Do not miss it!

To read full article click here: Beatportal

Mr. Miguel Migs is back!

After releasing the Get Salted series back in 2005, Miguel returns four years later with the follow up compilation entitled Get Salted Volume 2.

The new album will include tracks and remixes by Migs, as well as Fred Everything, Jay-J, and Lisa Shaw. Additionally you will find a couple of tracks that are exclusively released on this mix.

The new CD, Volume 2 will be released on Sept. 22nd, 2009 by Salted music.

For full review click here: Armani Review

ALL MUSIC PRESS REVIEW OF GET SALTED VOL. 2

DJ Miguel Migs has been specializing in “futuristic dance sounds” for quite some time by now, and continues to push forward in this direction with the arrival of 2009’s Get Salted, Vol. 2. This follow-up to his 2005 offering, Get Salted, Vol. 1 features the Migs trademark of seamlessly going from one song into the next, so as not to interrupt the flow on the dancefloor. Repetitive and hypnotic beats abound, especially on such tracks as “88 Keys to Love,” while Migs incorporates some undeniably soulful funk sounds on such ditties as “Just Funk Me Already,” and also features a few tunes that push the vocals up front (such as vocalist Lisa Shaw on “Like I Want To”). Picture the perfect soundtrack to the next episode of What Not to Wear or a runway model show, and you’re close to imagining what Get Salted, Vol. 2 sounds like.

Read the full article here: ALL MUSIC PRESS REVIEW

It’s been four years since Miguel Migs released the critically acclaimed Get Salted compilation on his own Salted Records. A lot’s happened since the landmark release – Migs wrote and recorded an album (Those Things), released a remix album (Those Things Remixed) put together a new live act and toured with his band Petalpusher, continued to tour all over the world full time as a DJ, worked on his label, and of course, there’s his beloved ‘67 Chrysler Newport convertible and other life things to take care of, too.

With Salted’s catalog growing at a rapid pace there’s now a wealth of great material to share with the fans – leading us to the September 22 release of Get Salted Volume 2. In an industry overly saturated with diluted compilations containing dance music hits, Migs digs a little deeper and has never been one to chase the “latest sound” or obsess over what’s popular at the moment. Instead he stays true to his original musical passion maintaining and creating a stylistically soulful yet diversely inspired vibe. Keeping it real he delivers an underground electronic experience oozing futuristic disco, dubbed out techy funk and atmospheric melodies for your listening pleasure.

Get Salted Volume 2 shows off Migs’ technically seamless transitions, while he blends a choice selection of underground soulful edged deep house dance grooves, including some unreleased exclusives, that evoke a true booty shaking energy while still capturing a deeper emotional response Get Salted Volume 2 is the perfect CD for a day at the beach, at night at your house party or in the car driving. Miguel Migs “So Far” (Yogi and Husky Deep Wash Dub Edit) brings the vibe in gently with slow synths and a soothing vibe while Nathan G “88 Keys To Love” picks it up with some classic house piano stabs. The space disco of Roberto De Carlo feat. Colin Corvez “You Are The One For Me (Miguel Migs Salted Dub)” is contrasted by the 90’s Hip-House sound of Dutchican Soul “Get On Down” (Unreleased Dub Edit) and then again by the jazzy tech house of Dirty Culture “No Matter How.” Swingin’ soulful grooves are shared by Jay-J with Charlene Moore “Love Alive (Dub)” and Fred Everything feat. Tortured Soul “Lying To You” (Fred Everything Dub) before Migs brings in a little R&B flavor with his own unreleased dub of “Sometime (feat Tim Fuller.)” You get the point by now, don’t cha? It’s a soul/R&B/House/disco party mix that works equally well on large sound systems and little earbuds.

Although based in San Francisco, Migs spends most of his time on the road these days. As such, he’s never ion one place long enough to be influenced by current trends and “hot sounds.” Migs has always been true to himself and his live DJ sets bring together even more genres than displayed in this compilation. Migs will tour throughout the remainder of the summer and the fall in support of Get Salted Volume 2. Do not miss it!

READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE

Last night (Monday 21st September) as part of the Giant Step series of events, Miguel Migs graced the decks of the Hudson Hotel, located on the corner of 58th Street and 9th Avenue. As usual, his mixture of smooth, groovy deep house blended well into the fabric of this classy hotel bar. What makes these regular Monday night parties so good is the colorful and energetic crowd, which encompasses a intriguing mixture of clubbers of all ages, backgrounds and personalities. Young, well educated music enthusiasts are dancing to the popular four/four beats amongst experienced, veteran clubbers also enjoying the range of music being blasted through the speakers by the talented DJ from San Francisco.

Miguel was joined halfway though his set by the very talented Lisa Shaw, who’s euphoric, sexy vocals resoundingly complimented the sounds produced by the man behind the decks and resonated through to the hotel lobby. Migs’record label, Salted Music, has seen a lot of success recently with Shaw’s single ‘Free’. Shaw’s powerful performance certainly added additional spice to the night, and both were very well received by a crowded room of partiers, who most likely will be nursing hangovers at some point Tuesday morning.

The Hudson Hotel is a great venue for these Monday night events and revelers can really feel at ease on the dance floor with it’s prominent, checkered disco flooring and cultured crowd. Giant Step have once again delivered with their creative selection of musical talent and are responsible for a number of upcoming events here at the Hudson Hotel as well as at other venues (including the one of Manhattan’s best dance clubs Cielo). These nights are often free if you RSVP and could easily be considered some of the best value parties this island has to offer on a Monday night.

To read the full review click here: HUDSON REVIEW

Miguel Migs

Thursday, Sep 17 8:00p
at Zentra Nightclub, Chicago, IL

Miguel Migs (real name Miguel Steward, also known by the pseudonym Petalpusher) is a deep house DJ and producer from San Francisco, California. Migs began his music career at 18 years old, as a lead guitarist and songwriter for a Santa Cruz local band called Zion Sounds. The band split up in the mid-1990s, however Zion Sounds’ African and Jamaican style is said to have been a major influence in Migs’ personal career. read more

Miguel Migs (real name Miguel Steward, also known by the pseudonym Petalpusher) is a deep house DJ and producer from San Francisco, California.
Migs began his music career at 18 years old, as a lead guitarist and songwriter for a Santa Cruz local band called Zion Sounds. The band split up in the mid-1990s, however Zion Sounds’ African and Jamaican style is said to have been a major influence in Migs’ personal career. After the band dissolved, Miguel Migs went on to explore electronic music production.

Miguel has produced over 100 remixes to date, including remixes for a number of mainstream artists. Such artists include Britney Spears, Macy Gray and Lionel Richie. Migs has been associated with a variety of record labels, most notably Naked Music Recordings.

Miguel co-founded the deep house record label Transport Recordings, along with fellow DJ MFR and Naked Music label director Bruno Ybarra. Migs was credited for his soul-driven vibes and hailed as one of the pioneers of the nascent house and chill-out revival scene alongside Dimitri from Paris and Bob Sinclar as a result of his early foray into Deep House in the late 1990s and early 2000s, releasing several highly sought after singles and remixes under the Petalpusher pseudonym. In 2005 he founded Salted Music, an independent record label.

In early 2008, Migs’ Those Things won in The 7th Annual Independent Music Awards for Best Dance/Electronica Album

To read the full article click here: NBC CHICAGO