Michael Hooker is a DJ, music producer and the founder of Re:Sound Music. He has toured the world DJing for some of the biggest music brands in the industry. His success comes from hard work, dedication and extensive musical knowledge. Listen to one of his live sets or podcasts and you can hear the attention to detail, seamless mixing and musical maturity that he has become known for. This is the reason house legend Danny Howells referred to Michael as “One of the best DJs I have heard in a long time!”.
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Another year has passed. How was 2021 for you in a few words?
Productive, Rewarding and Busy!
What was the highlight of 2021 for you?
The highlight was most certainly when clubs opened / events started again. I am currently based in Arizona and everything closed in March 2020 so I didn’t know what to expect from last year. However, Entertainment/Clubs/Events restarted in March/April 2021. Playing my first show felt incredible! It was a great year in many respects for both DJing, Production and for my Record Label but playing shows again was my ultimate highlight.
Was there also a downside? And if so, want to tell us about it?
The year started off uncertain for the Entertainment Industry but thankfully it turned around. I hope that everything continues to thrive even if we have to adapt events to ensure people can still enjoy music, concerts and festivals in a safe way.
When you’re working on a new project, what’s your typical starting point? How do you break it down and how do you like to generate your ideas?
I always start every original or remix as a blank canvas. I do not use any templates as I feel this pushes me into a formatted direction from the off. I approach my original productions by sourcing an inspirational sound/vocal and I work around that. With remixes, I do the same but my source is from the stems. I work in the Ableton session view to start all projects; I don’t start thinking about the arrangement until I’m fully happy with the concept.
Music and sound are in some ways the most collaborative and interactive forms of creativity – what are your thoughts on this? I would agree. However, it’s also amazing when music is integrated with visuals, dancers and other creatives. This all makes a better immersive, interactive experience for the people attending the show. This is one thing I focus on with our Re:Sound Music & Friends parties. We also love to use unique venues to host our events as this gives a better experience for everyone.
Do you prefer to work solo or with a gang – and what are some of your most memorable professional collaborations?
I have a team who support me behind the scenes with the label, our events and my own DJ bookings. I think it is very important to have a close team that you can trust.
On the producing front, I am happy to work by myself but I have had some great experiences doing collaborations with other producers. My most memorable recent collab was with D-Nox. I had never met Christian (D-Nox) in person until I picked him up from the airport in Phoenix. That week we’d booked studio time plus we had three DJ gigs in Phoenix, Las Vegas and San Diego. We got on well from the onset and had a really great time travelling / DJing together. Plus, we made a great track! I would now consider him a really good friend and I’m excited to work on future projects together.
And when it comes to your field, producing, are there any particular ideas or pioneers that you go back to frequently or who really influence your thinking when starting a new project?
I try to be true to my own sound. I hope that people can hear this in any of my original music or remixes. However, there are certainly DJ/Producers I admire within my genre – Sasha, John Digweed, Maceo Plex, Nick Warren to name a few. It is always very humbling and inspiring when I hear DJs like this supporting my music and playing it in their sets.
On a typical day, what does your ‘listening diet’ look like? What are your favourite tracks/albums/playlists when you are on the road?
My day starts off by listening to a Podcast or an Audio Book while working out. Then outside of the studio/DJing, my musical tastes are broad… I listen to bands like Metalica, Muse, Maribou State, Crazy P, Kuff, Anderson Paak. I am also a big 80’s music fan, I listen to an 80’s radio station in the car.
Could you take us through a day in your life, from a possible morning routine through to your work? Do you have a fixed schedule?
I do have somewhat of a fixed schedule. 6 days a week my alarm goes off at 7:00 am and I start my day at the gym. Then I’ll come back, have coffee, get ready and start working. Typically, my days are a variation of working in the studio, finding new music/preparing sets / DJing. I think it’s good to have a routine, especially in any creative Industry where every workday looks slightly different.
How do music and other aspects of your life feed back into each other – do you separate them or instead try to make them blend seamlessly?
Music is my career so everything works alongside that. Even though a lot of my time revolves around music I make a point to switch off and socialize with friends/family in non-music related environments. Over the years I have learned to create a happy balance between my career, my home life and my social life and I think that’s really important.
Let’s talk travel! It’s often cited as one of the most creatively inspiring things you can do – I’d love to know what are the most exciting or inspiring experiences you’ve had when it comes to sound and music on your travels?
I am fortunate to have a job that allows me to travel and experience many different cultures in new surroundings. I recently travelled to Oahu and visited the Byodo-In Temple. The peace, tranquillity and overall beauty of this temple was stunning. On the flip side, early in my career, I performed in Seoul, Korea at the World Drum Festival. There were over 200,000 people in attendance and the atmosphere was incredible!
As we age, our ears change physically and our tastes evolve too, and life changes mean we don’t get to engage in our passions in the same intensity as in our youth – how has your relationship with sound and music changed over the years?
My passion has always been music. I am thankful that with continuous hard work my passion became my career. When I was younger, I would spend time listening to a wider range of music outside of what I DJ and Produce. However, nowadays I also enjoy listening to Audio Books and Podcasts. Especially in subjects such as personal development, motivation and mindfulness. History and autobiographies.
What will this year bring for Michael Hooker and your entourage? What magic can we expect?
On the production front, I am very excited about the releases I have coming out. I am returning to Yoshitoshi with a two-track EP and a remix. I have a single signed to Renaissance which includes vocals from the very talented Isaiah Tilson. I also have a two-track EP scheduled for release on my own label Re:Sound Music. Plus lots of other projects and collaborations.
Gig wise, I’m looking forward to playing Festivals and shows here in Phoenix. Also returning to Las Vegas, San Diego, LA, San Francisco, London and my home Island of Jersey to DJ. I am excited to grow our Re:Sound Music & Friends events and to take these on the road showcasing the label in other parts of the USA.
Thank you.
photo by courtesy of Cine de Copelly