Dirtybird’s debut release from Kidd Mike continues to explore the dark and moody side of techno and house music. Thriving off a hypnotic vocal and rolling bass lines, ‘Boom Beat Heart Box harnesses the experimental nature ingrained in each Dirtybird release with its seductive low-end production. A father himself, Kidd Mike’s Dirtybird debut is a fitting hit on Claude VonStroke’s ‘Your Dad Plays Great Music’ Tour getting regular spins at each show across the US.

Regarding the track, Kidd Mike said, “I wanted to produce a record that would have dance floors chanting along as they’re hypnotized by this vocal while they bounce away to the rolling bassline that carries the groove.”

South African-born Kidd Mike started producing his upfront flavor of tech-house in 2009, when he first moved to the UK, immediately engrossed by the edgy sound of the underground house scene. With a few releases on some smaller labels based in Ibiza and Hungry under the alias Stealth Labs, he gave up production in 2013 to focus on being a dad. When the pandemic hit in 2020, Mike made the decision to pour himself back into his one passion, crafting a sound that is designed to make you smile and move. 

Kidd Mike invites fans to join him on the dancefloor and stream ‘Boom Beat Heart Box

Can you tell us a bit about your experience? Where are you from / how did you get into music? Does your training come from the Internet?

•   I come from South Africa where the 90’s was all about big Warehouse raves, but instead of hardstyle bangers. I fell in love with the sound coming out of the Chicago house scene from artists like, Felix Da House Cat, DJ Sneak, Franky Knuckles and others. In 1997, Daft Punk dropped their album, Homework and that changed everything for me. I realized house music can sound a lot edgier and a lot grittier and I became obsessed with how they were able to get those sounds. I am mostly self taught, but that only gets you so far. I started hooking up with other producers and when we made tunes, we would learn tips and tricks from one another. I bought a few online courses in 2012 and they really showed me a lot. Nowadays, outside of my sound design and production time, I try and fit in at least an hour of learning a day.

Who have been your main inspirations (both musically and in «life»)? And how have they affected your sound?

•   Musically (from oldest to newest): Josh Wink, Daft Punk, Carl Cox, Claude VonStroke
•   In Life: So many great role models in this life, but off the top of my head – Arnold Schwarzenegger. He has shown that hard work and a great attitude can get you far. From Austrian Immigrant to Terminator, to the Governor of California! What a legend!

How would you define your sound? And how has your sound evolved so far?

•   My sound is a “filthy, techy, house sound” (lol, that’s actually a cool vocal for a tune ;-)) that is fun to listen to and evermore fun to dance to!
•   My sound has become a lot less main room and become more gritty, edgy and upfront.

   What can you tell us about your last work? What inspired you? What do you want to transmit?

•   Coming out of the pandemic and lockdown I just wanted to make music that would unite friends, create smiles and be the backing to a great time. My latest release on DIRTYBIRD Records, “Boom Beat Heart Box” was written with the intention of making people feel great. Great while they chant to the hypnotic vocal and great while they bounce with their friends to the rolling bassline.

 What can you tell us about each track that makes up your latest work? What concept do you want to convey?

•   My latest work is a single so just the one song. I am busy finalizing another release in September on House of Hustle.

 How are you living the current situation due to COVID? Has it affected your work a lot? Do you think there is hope? Do you feel that the underground scene will continue to persist?

•   The restrictions have been over in the UK and South Africa (I travel between the two quite a lot) for a while now. But when we were in lock down, I was not a happy camper… No Festivals, No Gigs just quiet streets and Zoom calls. So, I decided to pour myself into my passion – making House Music. I honestly contribute music production to getting me through the pandemic.
•   Yes I believe that the underground scene will always be around. People love People. Simple! As soon as we can get together and enjoy good music and our mates, trust me we will continue as we always have.
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What projects are you working on right now?

•   So a few new releases are already in the pipeline with other labels. But I feel at home with the crew at DIRTYBIRD (an amazing bunch of people) so I want to produce music that they, as a label, will be proud to put out.

·   I’ve been chatting to HOLT88 about a collaboration on a track together (his 2020 release “Brack Down” Blew my mind when I first played it.) So I am excited for that!