Interviews
Dean Mickoski's sonic versatility has taken him further and further; we talked to him
Artist recently won a remix by Nicole Moudaber and has frequently appeared on Beatport's top charts
It’s very common to see artists focused on a single aspect of electronic music, but there are also those who bet on musical eclecticism and are not restricted to playing or producing just a single style.
This is the case of Dean Mickoski, an artist who left Macedonia and went to New York to seek his independence in music — a choice that has been working out very well.
He's been in the industry for nearly 20 years now - and it all started while working at a radio station at age 16; since then, he was influenced by House Music and soon found himself directly connected with that style of sound.
“For me music is something that allows me to express myself in the moment, and my way to share this expression with the world”, he affirms.
Today, however, Mickoski is practically a musical library, as he is constantly listening to different styles - which is reflected in his career as a DJ and music producer - Tech House, House, Tribal House and Afro House are constantly in his repertoire.
“I always try to be involved with other sub genres of House, but as they're changing and blending in year after year, I try to educate myself on the current sound in the market and what people are listening to the most - within what I most identify with. There is always a challenge when trying something new, but I know where my limit is and how far I can go by changing and bending styles outside my focus”, he points out.
His music is so versatile that it made him arrive in different collaborations with Roland Clark, one of them through the single 'Leave Me Alone (I'm Dancing)', by Armada Music, which won a remix by none other than Nicole Moudaber and support by Carl Cox.
More recently, he collaborated with another star, DJ CHUS, bringing to life "Panamera", a single that was a hit on Beatport and became his best selling track at the time.
“Gotta respect someone that has been in the music industry for over 40 years, and that someone is DJ CHUS”, he says.
You can understand a little more how Dean Mickoski's agitated mind works in this exclusive interview below:
Exclusive Interview: Dean Mickoski
Hi Dean! Thanks for this chat. We introduced the interview talking about musical eclecticism, a trait that, in our view, fits you very well. This is something that has been with you forever, right?
Hello! Yes, I always had a love and passion for music, ever since one of my first jobs as a teenager was at my town’s radio station in Macedonia.
For me music is something that allows me to express myself in the moment, and my way to share this expression with the world! Important factors to creating and producing music are one's mood, passion, and inspiration. At the end of the day we all have different tastes for music, and my goal is for people to appreciate and love the art I’m creating!
Despite the core being House Music, you challenge yourself in Tech House, Afro/Latin House, Deep House and even Melodic House at times… is it important for you not to stick to just one aspect? How do you see it?
I always try to be involved with other sub genres of House, but since the music genres are always changing and blending year to year, I try to educate myself in the current sound that is on the market and what people are listening to the most within my sub genres that I focus and practice on.
There is always a challenge when trying and experiencing something new, but I know where my limit is and how far I can go with changing and bending genres outside my focus.
Techno, on the other hand, a style that hardly appeared in your catalog, gained prominence again thanks to the remix received from Nicole Moudaber for 'Leave Me Alone (I'm Dancing)', in October last year. Tell us how it happened?
Nicole Moudaber’s remix was very unexpected, and I would say it’s probably the only Techno track that I have in my catalogue.
One day I received a phone call from Nicole, probably she received my number from Roland Clark, and she told me that she heard the original track and loved it. She also told me she has this specific t-shirt that she is selling with the title 'Don't Talk To Me - I'm Dancing", so she felt the record could also fit perfectly with this, and everything sort of oddly all fell into place.
Originally the record was going to be released on Nicole Moudabel’s label 'In The Mood', but due to timing we felt it would be good to release with Armada. Nicole was gracious enough to remix it regardless, and once the track was finished I knew we had a monster on our hands. Everyone is so happy with how the project turned out!
And seeing it arrive in the hands of Carl Cox must have been quite a thrill for you…
I don't know why, but inside of me I just knew that Carl Cox was going to support the record. I remember before the remix came out I saw Nicole released a track collaboration with Carl Cox.
I thought to myself that Nicole would for sure show Carl Cox this record, as I felt they were working on more and more music together. It’s a really great feeling to be a part of a record that Carl Cox plays as a crowd favorite. To see and hear him play this record over and over, to a crowd of thousands cheering, is a huge blessing and honor!
But this had happened before too, right? With the remix you got from Roger Sanchez for 'Losing Your Mind'...
'Losing Your Mind '' has its own special story, as well, haha. As they say, “good things take time.” As with a lot of records, that include samples, it can be very hard to clear.
It took me over a year, communicating with the original writers, to get clearance for the vocals and the record as a whole. Roger was actually one of the first people to hear this record and as soon as he heard it, he wanted to put his spin on it.
As I’m sure you know Roger doesn't really remix records anymore, so to have him Remix my record is still one of my biggest achievements to date.
For me Roger is one of the icons of House music, so for him to work on my record was a big honor and privilege. I’m also really happy for the future, as we will also be working together on another project soon; shhhh!
Read Next | Joyce Muniz lança novo álbum com 12 faixas exclusivas distribuídas pela sua própria Joyce Muniz Music
Roger Sanchez even seems to be a close friend of yours… how did this friendship start?
Yeah, Roger and I have known each other for many years. We communicate and work together well, and have great respect for each other.
First time I met him was in Macedonia, then I saw him a few times here in New York. It’s always a pleasure linking up with him, when I can.
I actually have a really funny story about one of the first times we linked up. I was picking Roger up from the Newark airport and while we were driving I was putting on one of my new records to show him, as I wanted to see if he would like to release it on his label, and the radio / stereo in my car stopped working :)
I was thinking to myself, I have been waiting all my life to be next to Roger alone for 30 min and when the time comes to show him my music this happens, just my luck, haha. Luckily after a few miles of silence the stereo started working and I was finally able to play my track for Roger.
That was my first track released on his label called 'Africanism'! Since then I have played with Roger many times, from shows in Miami and New York to Croatia and Macedonia, and I would say that Roger is one of the greatest DJs I know!
Read Next | Kaz James e Nick Morgan lançam remix oficial do icônico sucesso de 1967 de Jefferson Airplane 'White Rabbit'
Apparently you're a guy with a lot of connections, something precious and important in music. So tell us about your latest collab, with DJ Chus. ‘Panamera’ has a deeper atmosphere and a very strong vocal. What was it like producing it?
Gotta respect someone that has been in the music industry for over 40 years, and that someone is DJ Chus.
Even before I knew Chus, he was always supporting my music. Playing my records at his shows, including them in his DJ and Music Charts, and even incorporating my mixes in his radio station. Therefore naturally we just built a strong relationship over the years.
I remember Chus showed me the vocals on ‘Panamera’ and I knew we had something. We started to think of ideas and brainstorm on how we would create the perfect beat to fit around such a beautiful vocal.
After working on many different variations and versions, we finally got to a version we felt conveyed best what we were thinking and felt. In the end we created something very special, that just sounds amazing!
We even noticed that the vocals are quite present in your productions. Do you like working on it? How do you search for the ideal vocal?
I believe great vocals can make a track much more presentable and allow for it to have more potential to resonate with a larger audience. Getting vocals on your record is one of the hardest and most challenging things a producer faces.
A vocal is like a whole instrument in itself, with many layers, and can sometimes be very complex to fit and layer on top. It’s also a very time consuming and tedious process even after the vocal is finished, as one must then mix and melodyne the vocal to fit perfectly.
In addition a vocal is something with personality, and each vocal is very different and unique. Why sometimes producers have to make a record around the vocal, as it’s that specific and takes a very custom approach. There is no one size fit all or duplicate. Though it's sometimes one of the most challenging things about a record, it can also be one of the best things for the record.
Therefore I’m always hunting for new vocals and listening to stand out vocalists and vocals, within a mix or record I'm streaming, even while driving in the car. When I recognize a great vocal, I get inspired, and thus I feel that's another reason why there are a lot of vocals in my mixes.
You've been appearing frequently on Hurry Up Slowly, as well as releases, even playing at label events. More coming around?
Yes, yes, yes! Hurry Up Slowly is one of the fastest rising labels out of Miami, and I am really grateful for the good relationship I have with them. I was also honored recently to be a part of their label showcase, here in NYC.
I believe I have released around 7 records with them in total, to date. Most, if not all of them, are within the Top 100 in Afro House & House on Beatport!
Can you anticipate other collaborations or labels that will come later this year?
Yes, I have many collaborations in the works, artist and label alike.
What I can tell you, and you all are the first ones to hear this, is that I will be releasing a new record with the legendary Tom & Collins, you guessed it, on Hurry Up Slowly. Record is expected to be released on June 20th!
Here is a little mix I made for Hurry Up Slowly, featuring a lot of my records on the label.
And finally, will we see you in Brazil? What are your plans to visit Latin America? Thanks!
Yes! Brazil is among the top of my most favorite countries to visit. I have heard a lot of amazing things about the culture, music, and festivals!
Brazil has some of the best and biggest music festivals in the world. Maybe my first time being there will be to perform for you guys ;)
Hopefully soon!
Follow Dean Mickoski on Spotify | Instagram | Facebook | Soundcloud
Photos: Promotional Images
