Mike Dierickx
Encyclopedia
Mike Dierickx formerly known as Dirk Dierickx, and most commonly recognized under the aliases M.I.K.E., Push or Plastic Boy, is a Belgian DJ. Best known for the song "Universal Nation
", he has also released other singles including "The Legacy" and "Strange World". His style is primarily progressive trance.
As a DJ, Mike's style is very similar to the music he makes—progressive trance with a techy-edge. He is at the forefront of Europe's new sound, regularly topping the dance charts in several leading countries.
As an 11 year old boy he discovered the potential of sampler
s and keyboard
s, his interest in electronic music developed further over the next years.
At the age of 18, Mike handed his first demo tape to the Antwerp-based record company, USA Import. Shortly after, his first record, "Vision Act" was released on the Atom label in 1992. Mike released a series of successful records before he signed up with Lightning back in 1996.
M.I.K.E's became very popular and, in 1998, although a commercial crossover had never been anticipated, 'Universal Nation
' won several dance awards, and is recognized as one of the classic dance-records of the trance era until this day. The number 1 position of the song in worldwide dance charts helped putting the Belgian dance scene firmly on the map. His Push follow-up single 'Strange World' was also a hit and played throughout hundreds of clubs all across Europe.
This was followed by another excellent performing release, 'The Legacy', once again topping most dance charts across Europe and entering the British National charts at #21. Over the years Mike received several music awards including best club singles and best dance-producer, and entered 6 times the national top 40 in the UK.
Mike also teamed up and did remix
es for Sinéad O'Connor
, Moby
, Mauro Picotto
, Bomfunk MC's
, Oliver Lieb
, Psy'Aviah
, and Ian Van Dahl. This kind of success did not go unnoticed as M.I.K.E. was asked to DJ at some of the best venues in the world, including 'Gatecrasher
' and 'Godskitchen
' in the UK, 'Fura' and 'Velfarre
' in Japan, 'Dance Valley
' and 'Trance Energy
' in the Netherlands, and 'Spirit
' and 'Spundae' in the U.S. Mike still holds residencies in Godskitchen and The Gallery in London.
In 1999 he decided to start-up his own label, Scanner-Records.
The music stands for minimal electric dance.
Scanner's back-catalogue can be found on www.scanner-records.be, but the project is on hold as Mike is concentrating on his new label Club Elite. The label will boost tech grooves and the better electro-trance.
Universal Nation (Push)
"Universal Nation" is the first and the most successful release by DJ/producer Mike "M.I.K.E." Dierickx under his alias Push. What began as small trance studio project in late 1997, became an international commercial success over the years. The song was first released in 1998 on the legendary...
", he has also released other singles including "The Legacy" and "Strange World". His style is primarily progressive trance.
Biography
Producing and DJing under the name M.I.K.E., he has been releasing records under the guises: Solar Factor, M.I.K.E, The Blackmaster, Return Of The Native, Plastic Boy, Šand, and Push. In total, there are around 85 different aliases that span his career, because of either collaborations with other artists, or adapting new aliases simply to suit the nature of a particular track, covering the trance, techno and house scenes.As a DJ, Mike's style is very similar to the music he makes—progressive trance with a techy-edge. He is at the forefront of Europe's new sound, regularly topping the dance charts in several leading countries.
As an 11 year old boy he discovered the potential of sampler
Sampler (musical instrument)
A sampler is an electronic musical instrument similar in some respects to a synthesizer but, instead of generating sounds, it uses recordings of sounds that are loaded or recorded into it by the user and then played back by means of a keyboard, sequencer or other triggering device to perform or...
s and keyboard
Electronic keyboard
An electronic keyboard is an electronic or digital keyboard instrument.The major components of a typical modern electronic keyboard are:...
s, his interest in electronic music developed further over the next years.
At the age of 18, Mike handed his first demo tape to the Antwerp-based record company, USA Import. Shortly after, his first record, "Vision Act" was released on the Atom label in 1992. Mike released a series of successful records before he signed up with Lightning back in 1996.
M.I.K.E's became very popular and, in 1998, although a commercial crossover had never been anticipated, 'Universal Nation
Universal Nation (Push)
"Universal Nation" is the first and the most successful release by DJ/producer Mike "M.I.K.E." Dierickx under his alias Push. What began as small trance studio project in late 1997, became an international commercial success over the years. The song was first released in 1998 on the legendary...
' won several dance awards, and is recognized as one of the classic dance-records of the trance era until this day. The number 1 position of the song in worldwide dance charts helped putting the Belgian dance scene firmly on the map. His Push follow-up single 'Strange World' was also a hit and played throughout hundreds of clubs all across Europe.
This was followed by another excellent performing release, 'The Legacy', once again topping most dance charts across Europe and entering the British National charts at #21. Over the years Mike received several music awards including best club singles and best dance-producer, and entered 6 times the national top 40 in the UK.
Mike also teamed up and did remix
Remix
A remix is an alternative version of a recorded song, made from an original version. This term is also used for any alterations of media other than song ....
es for Sinéad O'Connor
Sinéad O'Connor
Sinéad Marie Bernadette O'Connor is an Irish singer-songwriter. She rose to fame in the late 1980s with her debut album The Lion and the Cobra and achieved worldwide success in 1990 with a cover of the song "Nothing Compares 2 U"....
, Moby
Moby
Richard Melville Hall , better known by his stage name Moby, is an American musician, DJ, and photographer. He is known mainly for his sample-based electronic music and his outspoken liberal political views, including his support of veganism and animal rights.Moby gained attention in the early...
, Mauro Picotto
Mauro Picotto
Mauro Picotto is an Italian electronic music musician. Previously a member of the Italian rave outfit, Cappella. He became well-known as a solo artist with techno-trance tracks including "Komodo" , "Pulsar" and most famously for "Lizard"...
, Bomfunk MC's
Bomfunk MC's
The Bomfunk MC's are a Breakbeat, hip hop and electro group formed in 1998 in Finland. The group's front man is the Finnish rapper B.O. Dubb and the main producer is Jaakko "JS16" Salovaara.-History:...
, Oliver Lieb
Oliver Lieb
Oliver Lieb is a German electronic music producer and DJ. Lieb is known to have more than a dozen aliases with over 200 productions and remixes in various electronic genres such as, trance, house, and techno. He has also produced tracks for other artists...
, Psy'Aviah
Psy'Aviah
Psy'Aviah is an Industrial rock / Electroclash / Dark EBM band from Antwerp, Belgium.The band took form in 2004 and was mainly focused on playing live...
, and Ian Van Dahl. This kind of success did not go unnoticed as M.I.K.E. was asked to DJ at some of the best venues in the world, including 'Gatecrasher
Gatecrasher
Gatecrasher is an international clubbing brand made famous by the Gatecrasher dance music events held at the Gatecrasher One nightclub in Sheffield, England during the late 1990s and early 2000s. The event received awards such as "Club Of The Year" at the Ericsson Muzik Magazine Dance Awards in...
' and 'Godskitchen
Godskitchen
Godskitchen is an international superclub brand which is associated with dance music and organises events, particularly in the UK and US. The company runs a club night of the same name at their nightclub AIR, in Birmingham, England and has an in-house music label...
' in the UK, 'Fura' and 'Velfarre
Velfarre
was a disco located in the Roppongi district of Tokyo, Japan. Velfarre was the self-professed "largest disco in Asia" with a capacity of 1,500 people, with three floors above ground and three floors below; owned by Komuro Tetsuya and Avex Trax. Velfarre was, and still is, known for Trance,...
' in Japan, 'Dance Valley
Dance Valley
Dance Valley is an annual dance music festival held in the summer in Spaarnwoude, Netherlands. The first edition was in 1995 when 8.000 people attended . Dance Valley grew rapidly, both in duration and number of visitors...
' and 'Trance Energy
Trance Energy
Energy is a Dutch dance event featuring Electronic Dance Music DJs from around the world. It is organized by ID&T and has been held from 1999 to the present day in various venues in the Netherlands twice a year. Traditionally, there was a "small" edition and a big edition each year...
' in the Netherlands, and 'Spirit
Spirit
The English word spirit has many differing meanings and connotations, most of them relating to a non-corporeal substance contrasted with the material body.The spirit of a living thing usually refers to or explains its consciousness.The notions of a person's "spirit" and "soul" often also overlap,...
' and 'Spundae' in the U.S. Mike still holds residencies in Godskitchen and The Gallery in London.
In 1999 he decided to start-up his own label, Scanner-Records.
The music stands for minimal electric dance.
Scanner's back-catalogue can be found on www.scanner-records.be, but the project is on hold as Mike is concentrating on his new label Club Elite. The label will boost tech grooves and the better electro-trance.
Albums
- 2000 From Beyond
- 2002 Strange World
- 2004 Electric Eclipse
- 2009 Global Age
Singles
- 1997 "Universal NationUniversal Nation (Push)"Universal Nation" is the first and the most successful release by DJ/producer Mike "M.I.K.E." Dierickx under his alias Push. What began as small trance studio project in late 1997, became an international commercial success over the years. The song was first released in 1998 on the legendary...
" - 1999 "Cosmonautica"
- 1999 "Till We Meet Again"
- 1999 "Universal Nation '99"
- 2000 "Electro Fever"
- 2000 "Strange World" (2000 Remake)
- 2000 "The Legacy"
- 2000 "Tranzy State Of Mind"
- 2001 "The Legacy" (2001 Remake)
- 2001 Push vs. Sunscreem - "Please Save Me"
- 2002 "Journey Of Life"
- 2002 "Strange World" (2002 remake)
- 2002 "Universal Nation 2002Universal Nation (Push)"Universal Nation" is the first and the most successful release by DJ/producer Mike "M.I.K.E." Dierickx under his alias Push. What began as small trance studio project in late 1997, became an international commercial success over the years. The song was first released in 1998 on the legendary...
" - 2003 "Universal Nation 2003Universal Nation (Push)"Universal Nation" is the first and the most successful release by DJ/producer Mike "M.I.K.E." Dierickx under his alias Push. What began as small trance studio project in late 1997, became an international commercial success over the years. The song was first released in 1998 on the legendary...
" - 2002 GlobeGlobe (band)Globe is a dance-oriented Japanese pop band, formed in 1995 by producer and songwriter Tetsuya Komuro. Originally consisting of Komuro, Keiko Yamada and Marc Panther, the group's singles consistently hit the charts...
vs. Push - "Dreams From Above" - 2003 Push vs. Globe – "Tranceformation"
- 2004 "Blue Midnight" (limited edition)
- 2004 "Electric Eclipse"
- 2004 "R.E.S.P.E.C.T."
- 2006 "Strange World" 2006 (Club Elite)
- 2008 Universal Voice E.P. (Club Elite)
- 2008 Impact E.P. (Club Elite late 2008)
Singles
- 1998 "Twixt"
- 1998 "Life Isn't Easy"
- 1999 "Angel Dust"
- 2000 "Can You Feel It"
- 2001 "Silver Bath"
- 2003 "Live Another Life"
- 2004 "Twixt 2004"
- 2005 "From Here to Nowhere"
- 2008 "Rise Up" / "A New Life"
- 2010 "Chocolate Infusion" / "Exposed"
- 2010 "Aquarius" / "Journey Of A Man" / "We're Back To Stay"
- 2011 "RED E.P"
Singles
- 1999 "Futurism"
- 2000 "Sunrise At Palamos"
- 2002 M.I.K.E. vs. John '00' Fleming - "Ice Cream"
- 2003 "Turn Out The lights"
- 2004 "Totally Fascinated"
- 2004 M.I.K.E. vs. Armin van Buuren - "Pound"
- 2004 M.I.K.E. vs. Armin van Buuren - "Intruder"
- 2004 M.I.K.E. vs John '00' Fleming - "Dame Blanche"
- 2005 "Massive Motion"
- 2005 "Fuego Caliente"
- 2006 "Voices From The Inside"
- 2006 "Salvation"
- 2006 "Strange World 2006"
- 2006 M.I.K.E. with Andrew Bennet - "Into The Danger"
- 2007 "Changes 'R Good"
- 2008 "Nu Senstation"
- 2008 M.I.K.E. with Andrew Bennet - "A Better World" - The Mixes
- 2010 "Art of love"
As Solar Factor
- 2001 "Deep Sonar"
- 2002 "No Return"
- 2002 "Urban Shakedown"
- 2004 "Fashion Slam"
- 2005 "Global Getaways"
- 2005 "The Rising Sun"
Remixes
- Art Of Trance: "Madagascar" (Push Remix)
- Cygnus XCygnus X-Singles:*"Superstring" - UK #33*"Positron" *"The Orange Theme" - UK #43*"Hypermetrical" *"Kinderlied" *"Synchronism" *"Turn Around" -Remixes:*MIR - "Under The Milkyway" *Baby Fox - "Baby Fox" - Rain...
: "The Orange Theme" (Push Remix) - Mauro PicottoMauro PicottoMauro Picotto is an Italian electronic music musician. Previously a member of the Italian rave outfit, Cappella. He became well-known as a solo artist with techno-trance tracks including "Komodo" , "Pulsar" and most famously for "Lizard"...
: "Back To Cali" (Push Remix) - MobyMobyRichard Melville Hall , better known by his stage name Moby, is an American musician, DJ, and photographer. He is known mainly for his sample-based electronic music and his outspoken liberal political views, including his support of veganism and animal rights.Moby gained attention in the early...
: "In This World" (Push Vocal Mix) - Rio Klein: "Fearless" (Push Remix)
- Sinéad O'ConnorSinéad O'ConnorSinéad Marie Bernadette O'Connor is an Irish singer-songwriter. She rose to fame in the late 1980s with her debut album The Lion and the Cobra and achieved worldwide success in 1990 with a cover of the song "Nothing Compares 2 U"....
: "Troy – Phoenix From The Flame" (Push Remix) - SunscreemSunscreemSunscreem is a techno/house band from Essex, England, who scored a number of hits on the U.S. Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart throughout the 1990s and into the 21st century. Sunscreem also has the rare reputation as a techno-based band that successfully performs concerts...
: "Exodus" (Push Remix) - The Space BrothersThe Space BrothersThe Space Brothers are a UK trance music act comprising Ricky Simmonds and Stephen Jones, noted for producing under a variety of pseudonyms such as Chakra, Lustral, Ascension, Essence, Ultra High and The Realm.-Career:...
: "Everywhere I Go" (Push Trancendental Remix) - Yves DeRuyter: "Music Non Stop" (Push Remix)
- Robert Gitelman: "Things 2 Say" (M.I.K.E. Remix)
- The Gift: "Love Angel" (M.I.K.E. Remix)
- Armin Van Buuren: "In And Out Of Love" (Push Trancedental Remix)
- Arnej: "They Always Come Back" (M.I.K.E. Remix)
- Ramirez Vs. Nebula: "Hablando" (Push Remix)
- Ayumi HamasakiAyumi Hamasakiis a Japanese singer-songwriter, record producer, model, lyricist, and actress. Also called "Ayu" by her fans, Hamasaki has been dubbed the "Empress of Pop" because of her popularity and widespread influence in Japan and throughout Asia. Born and raised in Fukuoka, she moved to Tokyo at fourteen to...
: "Boys & Girls" (Push Remix) - Ayumi Hamasaki: "Carols" (Push Remix)
- Psy'AviahPsy'AviahPsy'Aviah is an Industrial rock / Electroclash / Dark EBM band from Antwerp, Belgium.The band took form in 2004 and was mainly focused on playing live...
: "Ok" (M.I.K.E. Remix)