Mickey "Mixin" Oliver Interview
By Steven Ratz, Jr.
Some make headlines. Others make history. In the case of legendary house music DJ and producer, Mickey "Mixin" Oliver, it's a safe bet that he's destined for the Dance Music Hall of Fame! With his latest dance track "I Know It's You" about to be released on the Turn The Tables imprint, Oliver is seeking to make history once again. "I feel it's time for a major change in the direction of dance music," he declared. "It's time that dance music is recognized for what it truly is; one of the main music genres of the world."
To that effect, Oliver is trying to make dance music cross over to America's mainstream, by breaking the stereotype for the way dance music is produced and structured, along with innovative thinking on songwriting. "The ground rules for song structure has always been verse-bridge-chorus, verse-bridge-chorus. I want to show there can be alternative ways to the typical cookie cutter method of doing music. Dance music should be about creating energy and emotion," Oliver emphasized.
"I Know It's You" is the highly anticipated follow up to Oliver's previous track "Nothin' More To Give," which was picked up by dance stations across the country, as well as making an appearance on the Billboard charts. Also, the music video for "Nothin' More To Give" is currently number two on BPM TV's Hot 20 music video chart.
BPM TV has the distinction of being the largest 24 hour a day music video channel for dance music in North America, and Oliver is grateful for the support. "I'm very happy with the success of the song, and for Import Sound and Vision's help in getting exposure for the music video," said Oliver. With the new song, Oliver hopes to capture people's imagination even more, having filmed the next music video at the Monte Carlo Casino on the Las Vegas Strip, along with his recent decision to collaborate with more established dance artists.
"I Know It's You" features international gold and platinum selling dance vocalist Kathy Phillips, who has high expectations of her own for this track. "The dance industry won't know what hit them once we get this song out there!" she enthused. "I love the track and can't wait to see it take off." With several hit songs already under her belt, Kathy Phillips can be very selective regarding her choice of music projects. But the opportunity to do a song with Oliver was an easy decision. "I am so grateful to be working with such a talent as Mickey Oliver! We make a great team. I would love to contribute as much as I can to make this project work, and make it as successful as it can be."
Oliver is developing an innovative marketing campaign in support of "I Know It's You." He's calling it "Mickey Oliver meets Kathy Phillips" in honor of their first time working together. The campaign will encompass everything from CD cover design, to promoting it on Myspace. And it's about time these two giants of dance music met!
Oliver has contributed much more to the establishment and evolution of dance music than just about anyone else in the post-disco world. In 1981, as a founding member of Chicago's Hot Mix 5, along with Kenny "Jammin" Jason, Farley "Funkin" Keith (later Farley Jackmaster Funk), Ralphi "Rockin" Rosario and Scott "Smokin" Silz, they comprised the very first house music radio mixshow team in the world, on 102.7 fm WBMX. Chicago's listenership would record the mixes of the Hot Mix 5 on cassette tapes, and mail dubbed copies throughout the world, spreading the new music, style and techniques that are still the standard to this day.
Oliver's mixes in particular, influenced a loyal following, showcasing his considerable skills at micro edits, vinyl scratching, and of course those revered Rodney Dangerfield voiceovers.
In 2005, Luke Bainbridge of the London Observer named the original members of the Hot Mix 5 as one of the "Ten most influential radio DJs of all time." Oliver's place in dance music history was secure. However, instead of resting on his laurels with the success of his groundbreaking radio mixshow, Mickey Oliver took things a step further, establishing the legendary house music imprint Hot Mix 5 Records in 1985, which released several of the top selling house tracks of all time, including "You Used To Hold Me" and "In-Ten-Si-T" among others. Then Oliver went on to create one of the most highly acclaimed DJ remix services of all time, Powerhouse Remix in the early '90s, previous releases of which are still highly sought-after to this day.
More recently, Rod Carrillo, the program director for Energy 92.7/101.1 fm "The Beat of Arizona" has selected Mickey Oliver to do a weekly mixshow for the IDMA (International Dance Music Awards) nominated station. The mixshow is called "The Underground Movement" and it airs every Friday at midnight. Oliver has also been busy in the studio, and gives credit to a total team effort. "I collaborate on production with a very talented guy who goes by the name QUBIQ," said Oliver. "I couldn't do this without him." They are currently working on remixes for "I Know It's You" and finishing up Oliver's new dance album entitled From Above.
Not missing a beat, Promo Only, which services DJs and radio stations with the biggest hit songs every month, has been a huge supporter of Oliver's music. In fact, Cary Vance, Promo Only's vice president for promotions, has praised Kathy Phillips as a "good choice" for this track. In reply, Phillips said, "I am so happy that Cary likes the track! And honored that he said that about me."
It isn't often that you come across an artist such as Mickey Oliver, someone who has dedicated his career to shake things up like an earthquake. And as stagnant as the dance music scene has gotten lately, it seems fitting that someone with the history and stature of Mickey Oliver, along with Kathy Phillips, an accomplished artist who knows how to create some underground movement in her own right, work together to move dance music to a whole other level.
Kathy Phillips might tell you that "I Know It's You" could possibly be the snowball that becomes an avalanche. "This is going to be an exciting project. I can't wait until it's out there! It helps when you get to sing a great song with a great hook, great production and lyrics. And of course with a track like that, how could I not feel Mickey's music? I loved the story behind it, and it's just a great feel. It's a good track. Lots of emotion. I am a sucker for those kinds of tracks!"
Everyone... Meet Mickey Oliver!! You'll be glad you did.