Philly's Finest DJ CARL MICHAELS Talks Boys, Beats and more
One of Philly's finest, DJ Carl Michaels, talks up everything from his roots as a spinmaster to working with Paul Oakenfold, Carl Cox and Boy George, his just-released Beatport exclusive 'Swinging' from his group Tito's Kids, his ideal date, 'video booty,' what he likes in the sack and more.
As you guys know, I love to interview DJs and find out what makes them tick, but I've been busy y'all! So a big thanks to my boy Michael for making this interview happen!
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Carl: I guess I was about 16 years old – I had always listened to the radio and made “radio tapes” where I pretended I had my own radio station, and I would tape the songs off the radio and try to make them sound seamless. Then I started going to this club out in the burbs where I lived and saw the club DJ and how much he manipulated the room, and I was hooked.
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Michael: You've been spinning for quite some time now. Who are some of the most amazing people you have gotten the opportunity to work with?
Carl: I’ve had some cool opportunities over the years. I worked several times with Carl Cox and Paul Oakenfold (once for the Philadelphia Date of Moby’s Area:One tour)…I also worked with Boy George a couple times when he played here in Philly. Derrick Carter, one of the godfathers of house music and we know it today – I also worked with him on a number of projects for a label that I used to run called Society Hill.
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Michael: Philadelphia seems to be your "home base" of sorts. What makes it so special to you?
Carl: Philly is where I grew up. All of my family and many of my friends are here. Aside from that, Philly has a lot of unique qualities – a whole lot of music resides here, from house to hip hop to soul. It’s a music city. Philly also has a unique, gritty attitude that gives it a special feeling. I love the energy of the city, and there is very little pretension, which is really important to me. I’ve had a few opportunities to move, and something always keeps me here in Philly.
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Carl: I haven’t DJed at a ton of circuit parties – but there are a few that I would love. Some of the pool parties at Gay Days, or some of the international pride events would be a blast. I’ve been to many places in the US and have my favorite cities, but I really think that with the world being so merged via the Internet, that it is important for artists and DJs to see things on a more global scale. There is so much happening in Europe, Asia and Australia, etc.
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Michael: Describe your ideal date?
Carl: Most of my dates have been dinner and a movie…but I guess I should have tried something silly like bowling or something. I tend to have a pretty outrageous sense of humor, so I like to be able to gauge if someone can hang with that. Anyway, I don’t have to worry about any of that at the moment as I am happily boyfriended!
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Michael: What's a guy gotta do to get naked with you?
Carl: Be funny, confident and sexy.
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Carl: I’ll be exercising my 5th amendment rights on that question!
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Michael: Biggest turn on in another guy?
Carl: Eyes and confidence.
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Michael: Favorite part of your body?
Carl: I’ve been told I have a 'video booty' so I guess my ass. And my eyes.
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Michael: Complete the sentence: 'When in bed, the guy should...'
Carl: Be adventurous.
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Michael: Most interesting place you've had sex?
Carl: Hmm. That’s a tough one. I’m kind of traditional when it comes to location.
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Carl: Lots! While I am a go-getter and push my career from a business standpoint, I try not to “long” for things so I don’t set myself up for disappointment. There are so many factors that come into play when working with other people. That said, I would love to work with Roisin Murphy one day. I have loved her since she was in Moloko.
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Michael: Advice to new guys who want to become DJs?
Carl: Make CDs, network, push yourself, but don’t get caught up and don’t try to be too competitive with other DJs. We’re all in the same business. Also, work on your own music productions...being a DJ is a great career, but if music is your life and you want to make it your whole well-being, production will take you to that next level.
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Michael: What's next for Carl Michaels?
Carl: More music productions! I am working on an 'artist album' right now with my best friend Jamie Johnson, but we have not even begun to shop it or anything. I still have a lot to learn, so I want to be sure I am happy with everything before we put it out.
I do also have an 8-year-old track that I collaborated on with a group of friends that was just released – it is a Beatport exclusive. Our band name is Tito’s Kids. Look for it and buy it! It’s fun swingy deep house - a little quirky and absolutely wrong for the circuit, but I still love it.
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Posted by MUZOPHILE at 4/11/2009 12:42 PM 
Categories: DJ Carl Michaels,0Q and As,0News,0ALL LISTINGS,Michael Cook Exclusives,Q and As
Tags: Paul Oakenfold Boy George Tito's Kids DJ Carl Michaels Carl Cox Derrick Carter Moloko Roisin Murphy
Categories: DJ Carl Michaels,0Q and As,0News,0ALL LISTINGS,Michael Cook Exclusives,Q and As
Tags: Paul Oakenfold Boy George Tito's Kids DJ Carl Michaels Carl Cox Derrick Carter Moloko Roisin Murphy
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