We’re excited to have Michael Hooker, a talented DJ and producer from Jersey Channel Isles, joining us for a one-hour episode of our mix series with a special interview.
Michael Hooker is a respected DJ and producer with a career that spans over two decades, building a reputation for his ability to read a crowd during sets and remaining true to his artistic roots in a changing industry. His dedication to quality music selection and innovative production, along with his leadership at Re:Sound Music, has cemented his reputation as a leader in the field.
In this interview, Hooker speaks candidly about his creative process, sharing the inspirations behind his tracks and the strategies that guide his DJ sets. He also reflects on the changes he’s observed in the industry, sharing insights into how he has maintained his relevance over the years, and providing his first-hand advice on what it takes to thrive and evolve in the dynamic world of electronic music.
As your career has spanned over two decades, how has your approach to DJing and music selection evolved?
My approach to DJing hasn’t changed over the years. I have always been a DJ who likes to read a room and play music from my selection to take that crowd on a journey. Technology has changed though, gone are the days of spending hours in record stores. My approach to my music selection is pretty much the same. I love to dig for music and will still spend hours looking for tracks with something special and stands out.
Can you walk us through your creative process when producing a new track?
I take inspiration from many different places. I can go from a set on the weekend to an unusual sample that I feel is unique. I have had a passion for electronic music for so many years and I feel this helps me draw on different sounds.
You’ve worked with different genres like progressive house, indie dance, and peak-time club
energy. How do you decide which style to focus on for a particular set or track?
Good question! From a DJ perspective, I always look at what kind of party I am playing and what time slot I have. Then I can decide on what tempo/mood is best suited for the set. A day party will be very different from a warehouse party etc. You have to play your position for the time. From a production standpoint once I have a sketch down I know what direction the track is going in so I can build on that sound.
How do you adapt your sets to fit the different vibes and energies of these various spaces?
If I am directly supporting an artist I normally reach out in advance to them to see what BPM they’d like to start their sets. I’ll build the energy to that BPM so that it will be the perfect place for them to plug in and take over. If I am headlining, I will sort my music into key folders in advance based on energy and tempo. Then I will then be able to select the tracks as I’m playing. I do this for every set. I never know what the set will be until I’m playing…
Your music has been supported by big names in the industry, including Maceo Plex and Sasha. How does receiving support from these artists impact you as a creative, and does it influence your creative process?
It’s always an honor to have support from your peers in the industry. It doesn’t change my approach to what I am making in the studio, as I ultimately want to create music I love. However, seeing my tracks being played by some of the top artists at some of the biggest events will always be incredible for me and also inspiring to me as a producer.
On the business side, Re:Sound Music has become a platform for you to curate and share your vision of club music. What inspired you to start your label, and how do you select artists to feature?
The inspiration for the label was to connect with other artists of all levels around the world who align with my style. Then I could give them a platform to share their music, along with my music. I work closely with each artist on their release and they are involved in every step of the process. Some of our artists are already established so they will release their tracks as a standalone or with a remix. We also started a series of releases called ‘Re:Sound Music Selects‘. These specifically showcase newer artists. There are 3-4 tracks on each release and we make sure the tracks all complement each other.
As a bonus, we started hosting label parties. This means that we’ve been able to offer some of the producers who sign with us an outlet to play. It’s been a win/win situation and we have built up a great community for the label and our events.
Looking ahead with Re:Sound Music what are your goals?
This year we are focused on releasing more quality music. We are also expanding our ‘Re:Sound Music & Friends’ label parties in Arizona and to other states.
You’ve seen the music industry change over the years. What are some of the biggest changes you’ve observed, and how have they influenced the way you approach your music?
One of the major changes is social media being a metric for how artists are booked. DJs used to be booked solely for their talents. Now it’s more about the numbers rather than your technical ability and tune selection. A viral sensation can leapfrog to playing a major festival within months. Personally, it hasn’t influenced the way I approach music. However, I have embraced socials and organically use them to promote my music, shows, and releases.
What’s the best piece of advice you could give to someone aspiring to be in this industry?
Be your authentic self! Find a sound that you love and work on getting known for that.
Looking ahead, what are your future goals for your music career? Are there any upcoming projects or collaborations you’re particularly excited about?
I have a few bigger collaborations I am excited to share over the next 6-12 months. I have some upcoming projects of my own that I am really happy with. Gig wise I am working on some dates in different countries. Plus our label parties are always evolving and keep me busy…
Tracklist:
01. Polo (AR) – Nostalgia del Presente (Danny Howells Remix) [Manumasi]
02. Dj Bird – Slenderman (Original Mix)
03. Mmyylo – Mayday [Polaris]
04. BRKT – Seein Things [Re:Sound Music]
05. Michael Hooker – Does It Sound [Re:Sound Music]
06. Michael Hooker – Sintax Glitch [Re:Sound Music]
07. Silvertooth – Shut um Down (Sentre Remix)
08. AMacowicz – Guanco
09. Electronic Youth – Bring It Down [Re:Sound Music]
10. Christian Smith – Perseverance
11. LUPE – The Essence [Sous Music]
12. Daesmith – Brussels Sprouts [Re:Sound Music]
Follow the artist on Social Media:
Facebook | SoundCloud | Instagram
