A resident at the Terrace of Miami’s legendary club Space for seven years, Buenos Aires native Patrick M has made a name for himself in house music around the world. He sat down with Joonbug to talk about the global house scene, spinning in Miami, and his upcoming show in New York next week.
AM: You’ve performed with New York legends Danny Tenaglia and Eric Murillo, and you’ll be traveling there again next week. What’s the biggest difference between the house scene there versus the scene in Miami where you have a residency?
Patrick M: It’s a big difference. New York I think is more underground. They’ve had house music for years. And Miami…it's good, but it's still new, it's still fresh for them. New York’s got a big background because they had Todd Terry, Frankie Knuckles, David Morales…I’m talking like 20 years ago and they were real house DJs, like legends.
AM: Many people who grew up in Miami when EDM was first evolving remember club Space as a mecca of house and trance. What are your favorite things about it?
Patrick M: Yeah, that was crazy. Luis started a new club in the middle of downtown Miami (where it’s nasty) 12 years ago. It was a warehouse with homeless on the street…and it was the best place. Really underground—you had a beautiful terrace, a main room, and now a techno loft. If you don’t like house music you can go downstairs and it’s a different crowd and different kind of music.
AM: Which genres do you feel are dying out, and which are blowing up?
Patrick M: Maybe a few years ago, you had a trance DJ that packed the place and now you have a house DJ or tech house DJ packing that same place. It’s another change for the music. There are a lot of people that still like trance or progressive, but house is really big and tech house is big.
AM: What is your favorite genre to produce and perform?
Patrick M: I love house music. When I produce, I do what I feel in that moment. When I play, sometimes I don’t play my own songs. I know that as a DJ in some venues you have play a little groovier, more upbeat.
Patrick M: I played tribal years ago and now, well, I’ll always be a house DJ…funky, techy…I like to do a deep house, and I really love funk. If you know how to mix it, it works perfectly. That’s the thing; I’m always in the studio doing my own edits. I try to mix the old songs from an old track over something fresh.
AM: You tour a lot in Europe. What do you like most about the scene over there?
Patrick M: Europe has more underground. There are good producers here and good DJs as well. But you’ve got closed guys and you’ve got nice guys who are like, “Hey everyone this is my track.” There’s a lot of good talent, but sometimes it’s hard to tap into.
AM: Excited for anything coming up?
Patrick M: Playing in New York May 20th and 21st, and then in Europe. I’m waiting to confirm a few dates; I always do like a mini tour in Europe. I’m playing Italy, Tel Aviv, Japan, Tunisia…
AM: How’s the scene in Japan?
Patrick M: It’s awesome. I could move there and play every weekend because they get so into the music. There are nice venues with a good sound, and everyone goes for the music. They like everything. You can play drum and bass, whatever you want, and they’ll be there. It’s a really loyal crowd, and I love that. It’s a different country. When you go there they treat you like a king, really well, my respect for Japanese people.
Patrick M: My inspiration always comes at night. But when I’m relaxing, I go online…I see what’s going in other countries, search underground artists and different sounds…
AM: If you could pick one thing that you miss the most from your days as a DJ in Buenos Aires, what would it be?
Patrick M: I used to go to a club in Argentina that had no VIPs—you went and danced. I’m seeing here that those places are dying. Now you go and you’ve got tables, tables, tables and a small dance floor. But Europe has more of those [dance] places. You have more options.
AM: As far as music goes, what do you miss most?
Patrick M: Back in the day, house music was more pure. You could use more of the bass line, the pianos…different sounds. Now it’s hip-house; everybody’s doing hip-hop tracks with house music. That’s fine, though. I like it.
AM: Any advice for up and coming DJs?
Patrick M: I want to tell new upcoming DJs to keep doing what you really feel, doesn’t matter if you feel progressive or dub step, just do your own thing.
For tunes, tour dates, and more information on Patrick M, visit www.djpatrickm.com
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