Hailing from the United Kingdom, Miguel Campbell has been an active member of the UK house music movement since the early 90’s and has been DJing around from that period onwards. In 2006 he founded his label Outcross Records and consequently released his first LP titled Community Funk. We were more than happy to have Miguel back with us, especially since his mixtape was one on our most popular ones of 2014.
Despite the scene of 2006 in his hometown of Leed being mainly driven by minimal and techno, Miguel Campbell stuck to his nudisco influenced house sound, a decision that proved very successful. Proving that it’s always best to create your own unique style, Miguel got picked up by Hot Creations and topped the charts with Something Special. Oddly enough, his breakthrough tune was a B-side on the release, which even further demonstrates how addicting the song is. To celebrate his upcoming show at Blockparty in Amsterdam we spoke to the man himself about music, life, touring and how he held on to his very own Miguel Campbell sound.
Hi Miguel, thanks for taking the time to have a chat with us. How are you and where in the world are you right now?
Hi, thanks for having me back on DHA! Things are great and I am at home in Leeds working on new music.
Your discography is long and very impressive. I’ve browsed through all of it and it strikes me that you have had a very recognizable signature sound since your first release as Miguel Campbell. Do you feel that your attitude towards music and the sound you make has changed since starting your label Outcross?
I agree that my sound has remained pretty much the same throughout most of my music making career. My attitude towards house music and the different elements within it has definitely changed over the last decade. Throughout the years, I tend to favour different elements in the music and at other times I would not be into it. For instance, I like big breakdowns in tracks at the moment and in previous years I have not been into it at all. Matt Hughes and I have predominately created a French house type of sound however, after working with Hot Creations and the whole new deep house movement, our personal tastes changed also and we demonstrate that within our music and our releases.
Back in 2006 the platform for your sound was not that big. The more popular genres were minimal and techno. How did you manage to stay true to your sound? How was the scene in your hometown Leeds at that time?
The scene in my hometown and indeed up and down the UK was very much that of a techno and minimal culture. I used to spend most of my time in the smoking areas of most clubs as I just didn’t enjoy the music through these years. I used to host a regular party at Back to Basics in Leeds and these parties were always dope. This gave me a great belief that our music could actually work in a main room context. Matt and I would sit in the studio all month and make new tracks just to play in the club at the next party. I always knew that what we were doing sounded quite cool and I always knew that the funk would come back around at some point, I just didn’t know how or when.
We are exited to have you back in Amsterdam again for Blockparty. I believe it has been a while since you’ve been spotted behind the decks here. What do you remember from playing here compared to other countries?
I love to play in Holland because the people & crowds are really good fun and responsive. I like shows in Amsterdam because I get a chance to enjoy the city whilst I am in town. The shows I have played so far have been really cool and I always enjoy visiting new venues so I am super excited to come back!
Obviously we are curious to hear what specials you have in prepared for us. New stuff, unreleased tracks, exiting collabs?
I have lots of new music to play and planned for release. My new album is almost complete and I am road testing some of the tracks at the moment. I also have a new MAM ep which I am playing at the moment. I am also playing my new collaborations with Patrick Alavi at the moment.
You have been part of the Hot Creations camp for a while. How did the label pick you up originally?
My friends Rob James & Richy Ahmed were playing my music in Miami when I got the call about releasing some music with Hot Creations.
[gallery_bank type=”images” format=”filmstrip” title=”false” desc=”false” img_in_row=”3″ animation_effect=”bounce” image_width=”600″ album_title=”false” album_id=”14″]
