Rhythmism.comUnsound Festival Q&A w/ Mike Servito | Kiss & Tell Closing Party - February 14th
by rhythmism
Thursday, Jan 28th 2010, 10:18 AM
Mike Servito is a DJ’s DJ — a lifelong music fanatic with a truly unique ability to move a dance floor. Fearless in his seamless transitions from one style to another, Servito has an unpredictability and a deep trust in his music knowledge that has garnered him a cult following and made him an in-demand DJ the world over. Although Servito is a NYC transplant, his DJ style is unmistakably Detroit. Inspired by Detroit radio of the ‘80s and the city’s local DJs in the ‘90s, Servito came of age in a flourishing electronic music scene, making his debut in 1995 and immediately gaining the attention and respect of his peers and local techno heroes. Servito redefined himself in 2002, finding inspiration in the new generation of electronic-music producers and DJs. He was among the original UNTITLED residents, whose ranks include Matthew Dear, Derek Plaslaiko, Tadd Mullinix, and Ryan Elliott. On Sunday, February 14, 2010, Mike will be headlining the official closing party of the Unsound Festival along with some very special surprise guests. The special Kiss & Tell Queen of Hearts Valentines Party will be held at Brooklyn's Rose Bar.
You have been a relatively new edition to the DJ roster of the internationally renowned Ghostly International. How has your inclusion with such a forward thinking group of artists helped you grow as an artist?
It has given me credibility and breathed new life into something that I have the deepest passion for. Ghostly and Spectral are constantly pushing the envelope, evolving, and inspiring. Being amongst so many talented and creative people has to be the most rewarding and beneficial aspect. It has given me the opportunity to evolve as a dj because it forces me to keep up and keep on top of whats new, and it allows me the freedom to express myself musically, and without compromise. I have been a fan and supporter since the inception of the label, so it's exciting to be a part of that family and grow with it. Sam Valenti has always been a supporter, a confidant, and good friend who always believed in me and I'll always be indebted. To be represented and to be a part of the Ghostly International label is an honor.
You are a New York transplant however your sound can be described as distinctly Detroit influenced. Who have been some of your influences that have come out of Detroit over the years?
Some of my main influences are actually some of the artists who will be playing Unsound Festival. Carl Craig and the Planet E label are obviously a big influence in my life, musically. Mike Huckaby was a huge factor in my early beginnings. He really shaped my taste level in all genres of electronic music. Derek Plaslaiko and Patrick Russell are my peers and I praise them to this day for pushing boundaries, and being really open minded in their approach, while executing flawless mixes for years and years. I could go on and on about who and what influenced me, but Detroit as a whole...from the legends all the way to the new producers and dj's, has and always will be an integral part of my influence. Detroit aside, I was always inspired by anything that sounded new or interesting whether it was Chicago, NYC, Berlin or Manchester, etc. I think that's something I learned early on in Detroit, before I even had any interest in djing...I was always interested in what was beyond and what was outside of the norm, musically.
When did you move to NYC? and what factored into your decision to move to New York from Detroit?
I moved to NYC in 2007. Some will argue that it should have been sooner, and that I missed out. I was content, and had no reason to leave Detroit. Eventually, I felt that I had hit my ceiling. I moved to NYC to remove myself from that box and change my surroundings. I came to NYC for change, growth and to challenge myself. I didn't necessarily move to New York to pursue this super dj status or anything like that. I am very fortunate to play wonderful NYC events and get opportunities to dj here with some of the best.
You will be part of the Unsound Festival coming to New York this month. What have you heard about the original Polish edition of Unsound?
It's pretty exciting to me because it is something new. I don't know much about the actual festival in Poland, other than reading about the projects with Warhol and ~scape, but I definitely think It will be a new experience and a good one. I think everyone is excited to see and hear what happens during the festival.
Are there any artists or events that you are particularly excited to catch during the Unsound Festival?
I am particularly excited about Carl Craig and the scoring of Warhol's Blowjob. It's been years since I've heard Carl play live or dj. Pole, Vladislav Delay, Jan Jelinek, Legowelt, Shake, Moritz, Morgan Geist, Tobias, and so on. There's a lot of talent and a lot of newer artists that will blow my mind during the festival, I'm sure. It's always refreshing to hear new talents perform and generate that excited and inspired feeling. Also, I'm really interested to see Lillevan's Screen Tests and the Warhol series in general. Visuals can really bring out the best in a performance as a whole.
What are some of your favorite venues or festivals from around the world?
As far as djing, the last place that I really enjoyed djing was at Love, NYC. The sound system is solid. I can't stress that enough. You're only as good as the sound system! The Bunker is top notch and has always been super supportive. I've always really enjoyed playing for their events. And, not to be bias or anything, but I really love the DEMF. The city of Detroit really comes alive and it's an incredible feeling to go back and witness all of it. I would love to hit up Mutek and Sonar in this lifetime, already. And of course, the Unsound Festival NY edition would be something to look forward to in the future!
What qualities do you feel make up a top quality techno set?
I'm a huge fan of bass lines and a good hook. I don't have to be sold on anything. My feet, my head, and my ears will let me know exactly what is quality.
What are your future artistic plans for 2010?
My future artistic plans are to hopefully put out more mixes, and play more gigs, and keep feeling inspired to move forward. I think production is still a bit down the line for me, but I definltely feel like I'm just getting started. Thats the thing about electronic music genres and djing...the possibilities are truly endless...I'm in it for the long haul.
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Kiss & Tell presents
Queen of Hearts Valentine's Day Party
Official Unsound Festival Closing Party
w/ Mike Servito
& 2 Very Special Guests
Rose Bar
345 Grand St.
Brooklyn, NY
8pm-4am/21+
Free
www.myspace.com/mikeservito
www.beyondbooking.com
About Unsound Festival
Since 2003, Unsound Festival, Poland's most adventurous music festival, has brought a bold and uniquely modern program of music to Kraków. Now, with seven festivals in their native city under their belt (and outpost events further east in cities like Minsk), Unsound is coming west to New York for their first ever North American edition. Unsound Festival New York’s mission is to forge new links between music genres, between generations and even between artistic practices.
The driving force in the assembling of the New York program has been Unsound Festival's commitment to forms of music and sound art that involve experimentation and risk. Unsound Festival has made a worldwide reputation by breaking new ground while dealing with vibrant electronic, experimental, independent, post-classical and club music scenes from around the world.
Download Halcyon's Free Unsound Mix Here
www.unsound.pl
Unsound Festival New York is presented by Fundacja Tone, the Polish Cultural Institute in New York and the Goethe-Institut New York
Rhythmism.com is an official media partner for the Unsound festival New York.
You have been a relatively new edition to the DJ roster of the internationally renowned Ghostly International. How has your inclusion with such a forward thinking group of artists helped you grow as an artist?
It has given me credibility and breathed new life into something that I have the deepest passion for. Ghostly and Spectral are constantly pushing the envelope, evolving, and inspiring. Being amongst so many talented and creative people has to be the most rewarding and beneficial aspect. It has given me the opportunity to evolve as a dj because it forces me to keep up and keep on top of whats new, and it allows me the freedom to express myself musically, and without compromise. I have been a fan and supporter since the inception of the label, so it's exciting to be a part of that family and grow with it. Sam Valenti has always been a supporter, a confidant, and good friend who always believed in me and I'll always be indebted. To be represented and to be a part of the Ghostly International label is an honor.
You are a New York transplant however your sound can be described as distinctly Detroit influenced. Who have been some of your influences that have come out of Detroit over the years?
Some of my main influences are actually some of the artists who will be playing Unsound Festival. Carl Craig and the Planet E label are obviously a big influence in my life, musically. Mike Huckaby was a huge factor in my early beginnings. He really shaped my taste level in all genres of electronic music. Derek Plaslaiko and Patrick Russell are my peers and I praise them to this day for pushing boundaries, and being really open minded in their approach, while executing flawless mixes for years and years. I could go on and on about who and what influenced me, but Detroit as a whole...from the legends all the way to the new producers and dj's, has and always will be an integral part of my influence. Detroit aside, I was always inspired by anything that sounded new or interesting whether it was Chicago, NYC, Berlin or Manchester, etc. I think that's something I learned early on in Detroit, before I even had any interest in djing...I was always interested in what was beyond and what was outside of the norm, musically.
When did you move to NYC? and what factored into your decision to move to New York from Detroit?
I moved to NYC in 2007. Some will argue that it should have been sooner, and that I missed out. I was content, and had no reason to leave Detroit. Eventually, I felt that I had hit my ceiling. I moved to NYC to remove myself from that box and change my surroundings. I came to NYC for change, growth and to challenge myself. I didn't necessarily move to New York to pursue this super dj status or anything like that. I am very fortunate to play wonderful NYC events and get opportunities to dj here with some of the best.
You will be part of the Unsound Festival coming to New York this month. What have you heard about the original Polish edition of Unsound?
It's pretty exciting to me because it is something new. I don't know much about the actual festival in Poland, other than reading about the projects with Warhol and ~scape, but I definitely think It will be a new experience and a good one. I think everyone is excited to see and hear what happens during the festival.
Are there any artists or events that you are particularly excited to catch during the Unsound Festival?
I am particularly excited about Carl Craig and the scoring of Warhol's Blowjob. It's been years since I've heard Carl play live or dj. Pole, Vladislav Delay, Jan Jelinek, Legowelt, Shake, Moritz, Morgan Geist, Tobias, and so on. There's a lot of talent and a lot of newer artists that will blow my mind during the festival, I'm sure. It's always refreshing to hear new talents perform and generate that excited and inspired feeling. Also, I'm really interested to see Lillevan's Screen Tests and the Warhol series in general. Visuals can really bring out the best in a performance as a whole.
What are some of your favorite venues or festivals from around the world?
As far as djing, the last place that I really enjoyed djing was at Love, NYC. The sound system is solid. I can't stress that enough. You're only as good as the sound system! The Bunker is top notch and has always been super supportive. I've always really enjoyed playing for their events. And, not to be bias or anything, but I really love the DEMF. The city of Detroit really comes alive and it's an incredible feeling to go back and witness all of it. I would love to hit up Mutek and Sonar in this lifetime, already. And of course, the Unsound Festival NY edition would be something to look forward to in the future!
What qualities do you feel make up a top quality techno set?
I'm a huge fan of bass lines and a good hook. I don't have to be sold on anything. My feet, my head, and my ears will let me know exactly what is quality.
What are your future artistic plans for 2010?
My future artistic plans are to hopefully put out more mixes, and play more gigs, and keep feeling inspired to move forward. I think production is still a bit down the line for me, but I definltely feel like I'm just getting started. Thats the thing about electronic music genres and djing...the possibilities are truly endless...I'm in it for the long haul.
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Kiss & Tell presents
Queen of Hearts Valentine's Day Party
Official Unsound Festival Closing Party
w/ Mike Servito
& 2 Very Special Guests
Rose Bar
345 Grand St.
Brooklyn, NY
8pm-4am/21+
Free
www.myspace.com/mikeservito
www.beyondbooking.com
About Unsound Festival
Since 2003, Unsound Festival, Poland's most adventurous music festival, has brought a bold and uniquely modern program of music to Kraków. Now, with seven festivals in their native city under their belt (and outpost events further east in cities like Minsk), Unsound is coming west to New York for their first ever North American edition. Unsound Festival New York’s mission is to forge new links between music genres, between generations and even between artistic practices.
The driving force in the assembling of the New York program has been Unsound Festival's commitment to forms of music and sound art that involve experimentation and risk. Unsound Festival has made a worldwide reputation by breaking new ground while dealing with vibrant electronic, experimental, independent, post-classical and club music scenes from around the world.
Download Halcyon's Free Unsound Mix Here
www.unsound.pl
Unsound Festival New York is presented by Fundacja Tone, the Polish Cultural Institute in New York and the Goethe-Institut New York
Rhythmism.com is an official media partner for the Unsound festival New York.
