| Interview with Jo Micali ( 11.09.2007 - 14:30 GMT UTC )
1. Give fans some history on Your name and everything how it came up ?
Jo Micali: My name is Joseph Micallef aka Jo Micali and I am from the Island of Malta in the Meditterean, I first got into trance at the age of 16 and used to make music on Music Generator on my playstation, at the age of 21 one of my friends managed to get me in touch with Malta’s Number 1 Dj J Joy and he was amazed when he heard what I managed to produce using only Music Generator, J Joy then introduced me to another local producer called Glenn Frantz who introduced me to Logic 5.5, I then bought my first Laptop with logic 5.5 and my production went to the next level, then he also added me to his newly opened record label Real Muzik and I started realizing tracks within no time at all, I’ve also got a side project with my friend Davide Catania together we are called Catania & Micali.
2. Tell me who`s doing the vocals in 'Love is not possessed' and how You came up with that name ?
Jo Micali: The track is by J Joy and Kirsty Hawkshaw and it is called ‘Love is no possession’, I have remixed this track and it has been signed to Loverush Digital and the whole package is due for release in January 2008.
3. How would You describe the electronic dance music, specially trance and progressive scene in Malta ?
Jo Micali: Thanks to a full schedule of events and some cool radio shows the scene here is always improving and many people like progressive trance.
4. When did You first realize You had a chance at doing music on a professional level ?
Jo Micali: I think when JJoy signed me to Real Muzik I was pleased and inside me I knew I can go to the next level.
5. Do You have any plans to go nationwide or going oversees or anything ?
Jo Micali: Obviously with a lot of hard work and dedication which greatly form part of my character and way of life, I’ve got some good tracks lined up for release and some good remixes so within time I will get my name there.
6. So what is Your future, what is going on, what have You got coming up for 2008 ?
Jo Micali: Well I really looking forward for the release of ‘Love is no possession’ as the track has already had amazing feedback as when the label sent the first 50 promos all the feedback came in positive and no rating for the track came less then 7/10, this really shows the track is going to be massive and so having my remix on this package will definitely bring some new opportunities for me, I also have some gigs lined up for JJoy’s events and a few others, some guest mixes on internet radio and some good remixes are all on my menu.
7. What is the meaning behind the title 'Mind games' ?
Jo Micali: JJoy and Marcie came up with the title as it originally was meant to be a track for JJoy, at the same time I was working on a track and Joy said that the track needed some vocals on it, so he gave me the vocals for Mindgames and told me that the track will be released by Jo Micali and Marcie and I was thrilled.
8. Nowadays people crash and burn, they put out one record and think that is enough promotion for consumers to go out and buy the album. What is Your formula ?
Jo Micali: I think its important to make your name worldwide and release a lot of singles first like this ones popularity will grow and people will be eager to buy his first album.
9. What has been the hardest part of getting here in Your estimations; You know... getting to this point, being a Trance and Progressive Dj, producer and remixer ?
Jo Micali: I never really had any high expectations however when I met JJoy things changed he has a great drive inside him and enchourages me a lot, his faith and support are definitely a great push.
10. You`re signed with Real Muzik, so please tell me more about it, when it was and if there are anything we should know more about.
Jo Micali: Real Muzik is Malta’s first progressive trance label so I am glad to be on board, for me it is home, I was signed when the label commenced in 2004 and I am glad to be on board, it has also given opportunities to remix for other labels.
11. Having a tremenduous influence from artists like, Sean Tyas, Above & Beyond, Alex M.o.r.p.h, Ferry Corsten, Kyau & Albert, Super8 & Dj Tab, John O'Callaghan, how did that helped You back in the days and also nowadays ?
Jo Micali: Back in the days I was more influenced in Paul Van Dyk, Ferry Corsten and P.U.S.H and these are pioneers of trance, nowadays we have new ones like Alex Morph, Above&Beyond, Super 9 and DJ Tab and so on, what I like doing is keeping some of the older sounds and mixing them with the new sounds like this I am bringing the old school with the new sounds, having these influences always helps when producing a track.
12. I see that You`re doing Your best at the Real Muzik studios with the 'Logic 7.2 and two very powerful Macs' but are You using any other sofwares or hardwares, VSTs or anything else ?
Jo Micali: Yes, I am using a varius range of VSTs and I am also using a ALESIS ION synthisizer too.
13. Whit that being said, have You got anything else to say to those who are reading this exclusive interview ?
Jo Micali: Of course In have some extras my best ones are Virus TI, Massive and Scultpure, they are fantastic to use when producing trance, last but not least I’d like to say thanks to all my fans, family, all the Rype and Real Muzik posse and JJoy for being such a great drive behind me and giving me the necessary support for persueing my career in this field.
Interview made by Cosmin Lukacs aka Dj K8oard (TranceSound.net admin/founder)
Links:
Jo Micali @ MySpace
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