Da Mike

Hi Da Mike, welcome to Minimal Mag? How’s the start to your summer going?

Hello everyone, and thank you for having me at Minimal Mag! Summer kicked off with DJ sets in Cannes, Mykonos, Ibiza, and Santorini. Great vibes, beautiful energy, and a solid start to the season.

You hail from Greece and are one of a number of artist who have an affinity for the Afro House scene. What do you think has made the Greece’s DJ/producers embrace the house sounds of the African continent?

Yes, I’m based in Greece and have been working in the industry for over 15 years. What makes it special here is the energy of the sound, the years of hard work put into the scene, and the way this music naturally connects with all kinds of crowds. It’s what makes it feel strong and deeply rooted in this part of the world.

Your latest release comes once again on the Stereo Mcs connected label? How did you get involved there and were you a fan of the Stereo MCs music from back in the day?

Connected has been my sonic home for the past few years. Nick & Rob have built a solid label that stays true to an original sound, but more importantly, they really support their artists. It always feels good releasing with them.

We first collaborated back in 2019 with the release of “The Thing,” which turned out to be a great success and from there, a lot of amazing records followed.

And yes, I’ve always been a big fan of Stereo MCs, then and now.

‘Caught in Silence’ sees you collaborating with South Africa’s Deep Aztec, what can you tell us about the process behind this record?

The idea behind “Caught in Silence” was to create a jam inspired by the soulful & 90s era, blending that influence with my signature sound.

Deep Aztec and I had worked together before, and I’ve always admired his deep-rooted style and the raw house energy in both his production and vocals. I brought the initial concept, and he delivered in the best way possible, it came together naturally.

I’m really proud of this record. It feels honest, timeless, and true to what we both stand for.

The record features two brilliant remixes from Henrik Schwarz. Were you involved in selecting the remixer on this? What were your thoughts when you first heard these versions?

Henrik’s remixes elevated the record to an entirely new level. The intention was to involve a remixer who could add depth and strength to the project, and Nick proposed Henrik Schwarz, an artist I have long admired and aspired to collaborate with.

From the very first listen, I was blown away by how he transformed the track. The way he used every element and crafted a journey in both remixes is incredible. Honestly, I consider them masterpieces.

Who are some of your all time musical heroes and why?

I’ve always been deep into House Music, so names like Joe Claussell, Louie Vega, Timmy Regisford, Danny Tenaglia, and Manoo have been huge for me. Their energy, their sets, the way they tell a story through music, it just hits differently. But when I first heard Black Coffee’s debut album, and saw him performing live, it was a game-changer for me. The depth, the sound, the vibe, it opened up a whole new world for me and gave me a fresh perspective on what House could sound like.

Outside of producing and DJing, what do you do with your time?

Outside of producing and DJing, I really enjoy cooking, trying out new recipes and just playing with flavors in the kitchen. It’s a great way for me to relax and be creative in a different way.

I also make sure to take time for self-care, whether it’s just chilling or doing things that help me recharge.

Music hunting is a constant for me as I love digging into gems from the past as much as discovering fresh sounds for the future. It keeps my passion alive and feeds my creativity.

And when I need to just unwind, I dive into movies and TV shows, it’s a way to escape but also find inspiration.

Anything else you’d like to tell us about? Forthcoming shows, releases, plans?

The summer season is always busy, and this year I’m excited to perform at one of the world’s most renowned stages, Scorpios in Mykonos, a gig I’ve been waiting for a long time.

I’ll also be revisiting some of my favorite destinations to share my music, while exploring new places along the way.

On the release front, I’ve got a remix dropping in July on Nodes Records, straight out of Hong Kong. It’s a deep, underground cut with some unique Asian flavors, something a bit different and something that I’m really proud of. I’m also staying committed to the studio, constantly experimenting and pushing myself with new sounds and ideas. Always evolving.