DJ Booth: Miguel Migs

Based in: San Francisco, California

What you play: Deep, soulful, funky, disco and dubby underground house music.

What residencies do you have and crews do you belong to? I have released singles, albums and compilations on labels such as Defected and OM Records. I have toured the entire globe performing for many years now and residencies vary. Currently doing a monthly residency at home in San Francisco at a club called Mighty.

A few career highlights: First set, and what was most memorable for you? My first gigs were just for fun at little house parties, playing records for a bunch of friends, mixing up house, old school reggae and classic hip-hop.. Getting your first actual paying gigs is an exciting time for an up and coming dj.

What DJs and producers have influenced your own style and interests the most and how? I have always been inspired by the more soulful quality side of electronic music, and I got into dance music in the early '90s when I was a kid, being influenced by the classic deep house guys like Kerri Chandler, MAW, Franky Knuckles and those kind of guys…

Weirdest thing you've seen in a nightclub? We got held up at gunpoint by the Turkish army at an outdoor daytime gig in Bodrum many years ago. Having a machine gun held at you and told to stop the music was a little unnerving. Apparently they did not pay off the right people and didn't have their proper permits to do the event so that was that. Not a big deal but it just popped into my mind for some reason.

How healthy do you see your hometown's scene? San Francisco has loads of music and events happening all the time. No matter what kind fo music you are into, there is something for everyone. I love all kinds of music so its great to be able to go out and see amazing live shows and hear all sorts quality music. Whether your into soul, funk, disco, hip-hop, rock, reggae, house, techno or whatever, there is always something going on.

Have you ever been in Perth? If so, what can you remember of it? I have played in Perth five or six times over the past 12 years or so… The first time was at a Good Vibrations festival and was outside the main town there, and we played in a really cool amphitheatre... Jamiriquai, Groove Armada and others were headlining and we had a great time... we also played the same festival again a couple years later with Guru and Moloko headlining I think... also we played another festival there in town in a park along with de la soul a few years back… and the last time there in perth was a couple years ago playing another huge festival just after new years, it was also in town at a park..

Artists you've collaborated with: I love song writing and collaborating with various vocalists and a diverse range of styles since I love and listen to all kinds of music… Evelyn King, Meshell Ndegeocello, Thievery Corporation, Lisa Shaw, Aya, reggae legends Capleton, Freddie Mcgregor and Half Pint, and many more…

Production releases: My first full artist album was released on a label called Naked Music in 2003 I think, a laid-back soul driven inspired album… then I released an album called Those Things on my little label Salted Music around 2007, and my latest album Outside the Skyline was released on Om Records last year... The newest album project is called House Masters which is an artist compilation series that Defected records do featuring two discs full of an artists original material, sort of a journey into the spectrum of work that an artist does through a period of time.

Next big thing to look out for you? Working on a new album now and loads of new tracks and singles, gonna be a busy year in the studio getting back to basics while doing some experimenting as always.

What should people expect from you when you tour here? Well, I play deep, soulful, funky, disco and dubby underground house music, so that's what you can expect… To each there own and everyone has different tastes, so please come with an open mind.

Where can people get more info? Facebook.com/djmiguelmigs and miguelmigs.com

Miguel Migs will be playing the following dates:

Friday 15 February – Villa Nightclub, Perth WA
Saturday 16 February – Goldfish, Sydney NSW
Friday 22 February – Mr Kim's, Adelaide SA
Saturday 23 February – New Guernica, Melbourne VIC