Exclusive Interview with Michael Calfan
Michael Calfan is a French House music DJ and Producer, best known for his hit records "Treasured Soul" and "Nobody Does It Better". His sound is referred to as Soul House – dance music with a sensitive quality.
Siam2nite had the opportunity to have an exclusive interview with Michael Calfan, shortly before his performance at Sing Sing Theatre on 21st April.
How did you get in touch with electronic dance music in the first place and how did you get into DJing and music production?
The first time I heard Modjo – Lady it’s was like a revelation, so from that day I wanted to make electronic music. I started on Garage Band on my mum and month after month I understood how to produce. Then to earn some money I started Djing but my first love was the production side.
You are a breath of fresh air to the Big Room dominated dance music scene; your sound is referred to as Soul House – dance music with a sensitive quality, combining Deep House groove with touching piano chords, soulful vocals, and joyful melodies. How would you describe your music in a few words, what is distinct about it?
Honestly, people give the name of Soulhouse to my music, and it was pretty cool as I am putting all my heart into the music I’m producing. My goal is to give feeling to people when they are listening to my music, for me feelings are the most important thing (whatever the genre). When I’m in the studio, I never think about what I have to do, or which kind of sound I have to make to make sure that people recognize my style. I’m just doing what I like, from a happy feeling to a darker one, depending on my spirit at that moment.
You are best known for your international hit record “Treasured Soul”, which has over 11 Million views on YouTube, and your recent hit record “Nobody Does It Better”. What other tracks, remixes or mix-sets would you recommend to someone that is not yet familiar with your music?
They can check out my Soundcloud profile, as all my latest mixtapes and music is there. They should listen to my remix of Major Lazer or the one for Duke Dumont or on a club side Prelude or my latest record Brothers.
What is on your agenda for the near future and what are you currently working and focusing on?
My schedule is crazy, I have a lot of shows in April. I have approx. 15 shows and then I have a lot of studio session working on an E.P. I'm really focusing on that, as I want to show you another side of my music.
What were the best and the worst gig you ever played, and what were the funniest things that occurred during any of your performances?
I have a lot of good and weird moments, I can’t remember a really bad show because there is always a weird or funny thing. The best was maybe a show in Hawai I made few years ago in front of the sea during the sunset. The weirdest was in Germany when the owner of the club came into the club on his Harley Davidson.
You will make your Thailand Debut at Sing Sing Theatre on 21st April. Have you visited Thailand before? What can the Bangkok crowd expect of your performance?
I never been to Thailand, it will be the first time, and I heard so much good things about this country. Bangkok get ready for some house music.