Micky Slim

Bomb Squad Records, Cr2

2007.11.07 ::: Words by Simon Jain

As one of the most charismatic individuals to smash his way onto the house music scene in recent years, Micky Slim is the Birmingham-bred bad boy that has arrived and is ready to take over. For if 2005 was the year clubbers started murmuring about that boy Slim, then 2006 was the year they started shouting it from the hilltops. And who can blame them? With an outstanding production portfolio that has had a phenomenal success rate of being heard on BBC Radio1, an international residencies, it’s clear that Micky is not just one of the UK’s finest up-and-coming talents, he is getting recognition the world over.

Godskitchen promoter Mark Gillespie who was quick to install Micky as Godskitchen Electric resident. Micky’s Gods residency saw him play regularly to a rapturous home crowds. Playing in the same arena as Deep Dish, Steve Lawler and Tiesto, Micky took a mammoth leap when James Zabiela, who was stuck in traffic, was unable to show for his Live Essential Mix. Radio 1 gave him the opportunity of a lifetime by recording his live set for the Essential Mix. Micky responded by delivering quality filthy acid, wonky electro and twisted tech house to a worldwide audience. Such exposure catapulted Micky into the limelight which has resulted in Micky gigging around the world, notably the Sunrise Festival in Poland and Space in Ibiza.

Fast forward to 2007 - so far Micky has been snapped up by top London DJ agency IMD, who represent some of the top talent in the world, secured an eight gig residency at the infamous ‘Judgment Sundays’ in Ibiza plus a residency at the fabulous ‘Le Mix’ in Paris. On top of this Micky has been busy in the studio reworking the likes of just about everthing!!! There are clearly no signs of this young whipper-snapper slowing down.

Nocturnal: With Funkagenda & You both blazing out of Birmingham (previously Lawler as well) is there a driving force in the Birmingham scene that helps to foster and promote artists like yourself, or is it simply a right place at the right time for all UK artists?
Micky: If I'm honest the scene in Birmingham is very poor right now, there are only a handful of decent clubs left, Godskitchen being the main one. There is a lot of talent in Birmingham right now and it's all down to production, you cant just be a Dj anymore, you have to be creating your own sound to get noticed, I feel that's something that I have done and Funkagenda is the master at.

Nocturnal: For those that have never heard Micky Slim, but have heard of you, how would you self-declare your style/sound?
Artist: I'd say that my sound is a fusion of Minimal/Tech House to Big Beat Electro with a splash of break beat, I don't have any musical boundaries so anything goes, it's all one BIG party.

Nocturnal: What records/sounds brought you to where you are today? Is there someone or something that was instrumental in your passage into electronic music?
Micky: In the early days it was Speed Garage and Drum And Bass that inspired me musically, I have always loved Hip Hop, not so much today but the older more intelligent Hip Hop and I am a die hard funk soul brother, my favourite track in the world is Earth, Wind and Fire "Let's Groove" so when you put all that together with some of my production influences like Switch & Herve you can see where I get my wonky grooves from.

Nocturnal: Who are your favourite producers right now?
Micky: Herve, Switch, Sinden, Laidback Luke, Chris Lake, Seb Leger, Stupid Fresh, Bass Kleph, Aston Shuffle, Plump Djs are all Bad ass.

Nocturnal: Your own personal favourite remix or track you have created?
Artist: It has to be my mix of House of Pain "Jump Around", I never tire of playing it and the original is in my top 5 of all time, I am very happy to say it is getting an official release, something I never dreamed would happen.

Nocturnal: What residencies do you currently hold? How important are your Godskitchen appearances to you?
Micky: I am resident for Godskitchen Worldwide which is a great honour as I have been going to the club for over a decade, I am also resident for Prohibition which is at an amazing club in Paris called Le Mix and I am also resident for Judge Jules night, Judgement Sundays in Ibiza.

Nocturnal: What/where are you going with your career? Places, collaborations or directions?
Micky: I have some amazing DJ dates lined up over the next 6 months and I am working as hard as ever in the studio. I am collaborating with Deadmau5 which I am very excited about and hoping to get back in the studio with my good mate Chris Lake to do a follow up to our Shake single. Lots and Lots of remixes to finish too and I am also in the process of putting an artist album together, it's still in its very early stages but I am hoping to have it done in early 2008.

Nocturnal: UK dance scene still rocking?
Micky: The UK Dance scene is always rockin, the superclub days are all but over and it is more intimate venues now but I think the UK will always have a strong scene because the love for electronic music is easily as big as the love for Hip Hop and Urban music. It is not the same case in other countries where Hip Hop is the main sound.

Nocturnal: Micky @ a glance...
Nocturnal: Favourite Airport?
Micky: Birmingham Uk, it's the nearest to my house.
Nocturnal: Least favourite personal habit?
Micky: My diet, it's awful.
Nocturnal: Most indispensable travel item?
Micky: My Macbook Pro.
Nocturnal: Last place on Earth you thought you'd be, but found yourself there?
Micky: Flares 70's bar in Ibiza.
Nocturnal: Early 90's hip hop or late 70's disco?
Micky: It's not fair to make me choose but 70's disco, I was born to groove baby :)
Nocturnal: Carl Cox or Danny Rampling?
Micky: Carl Cox.
Nocturnal: The Hacienda (Manchester) or Twilo (NYC)?
Micky: Hacienda.
Nocturnal: Favourite pair of sneakers?
Micky: My New Nike Air Max classics.
Nocturnal: Best perk of being a travelling artist?
Micky: Getting to visit beautiful countries that I'd probably never have gone to.

Nocturnal: If you got to write the score to any movie ever ma de... which would it be, why?
Micky: I'd love to work on any Tarantino movie, I'd get to use some amazing tracks, Reservoir Dogs must have been wicked to score.

Nocturnal: At the end of a long day, in the hotel room, you relax with...
Micky: A DVD and some chronic depending on what country I am in ;).

::: Related Links

::: www.myspace.com/thatboyslim

::: 2007.10.26 » EXPOSED w/ Oscar de Rivera Photos

::: Mod Club Listings