Mike Monday

Inspiration On Demand

Boing Boing Boing

When writing a tune I used to bounce my individual tracks simply to save on processor power. But it’s now an integral part of my creative process.

When I bounce something (ie record it to an audio track), it’s set in stone in my mind. It’s unlikely I’ll mess with it because its a hassle to reload the original part and synth, sampler or whatever.

This focusses me on getting the part right and forces me to move on. I avoid the dangerous temptations of perfectionism and maintain precious momentum.

So as you create, keep on bouncing those parts. Boing boing boing.

You’re Not Talented

I get annoyed on those rare occasions that people tell me I’m talented.

Because unless you’re lucky enough to be a genius you don’t have a gift. You’re not talented. You are no more or less able than the next person.

What you do have is the ability to better yourself through determination, persistance and practise.

Why I’m No Sports Fan (And Stopped Releasing My Music On Record Labels)

Last weekend I had a DJ gig in Melbourne Australia. When I arrived, the biggest Aussie Rules game of the year had just been played, the Grand Final replay between Collingwood and St. Kilda.

It was a huge win for Collingwood, and as I watched the coverage from my hotel room I wondered why I wasn’t a big sports fan.

I realised that it comes down to a lack of control.

Looking at the St. Kilda supporters and their obvious great distress I wondered why they would put their emotional state in the hands of a group of people over whom they have absolutely no control.

But then I wondered why for so long I’ve placed the fate of my music (and my whole career) in the hands of a group of people over whom I have absolutely no control.

Record Everything You Do

How many times have you listened to a track you just bought and wished you’d not spent the money, only to realise later that it was brilliant?

The music hasn’t changed but something in your world has made you understand it and connect with it. Maybe it’s just grown on you.

Record everything you do, every single time you stop working. Be militant about this. Make sure you leave enough time at the end of every session to record it, even when it’s completely unfinished, sounds terrible and you hate it. Especially when you hate it.

Because you’ll probably listen to it at some point in the future and realise just how good it is.

How To Choose Music

When I started DJing I played vinyl. CDs were unheard of in respectable house and techno clubs. And even my biggest back breaking record box would only hold 90 records at a push.

So if I’m generous and say that each bit of vinyl had 2 playable tunes on it, that’s an absolute maximum of 180 individual tracks I could possibly play out at a gig. But it was probably more like 120.

I did lots of gigs at lots of clubs all over the world to lots of different people. Lots of them danced. A few even went quite bonkers.

Now I use CDs. When I was sorting them out for my current Australia tour I realised that my small CD wallet could easily hold 120 tunes, even if I only put one track on each CD. So I tried to limit myself to about 200 tracks for the whole tour. Looking at them now I’ve actually ended up with about 240, but that’s much less than usual.

Because when I’m DJing, too much choice has left me paralysed. Any benefit I gain from having an enormous variety of music is eclipsed by the burden of choice.

Now I’ve had to find the courage to nail my colours to a much thinner stylistic mast. But isn’t that what being a great touring DJ is all about?