Michael Hooker has kept us grooving all summer, and we caught up with him to talk about life on the road, Sunday Social, and more!
Phoenix-based DJ and producer Michael Hooker is going places. By this, we mean he’s carving a path to stardom with the incredible beats he has been flinging out like “Corruptor,” “Control Warning” alongside Desert Hearts Black boss Marbs, and his most recent single, “Escape.” But we also mean that he’s literally going places, currently waist-deep in a summer schedule that’s taking him from the US to the UK and Germany while making time to swing by his beautiful home, the Island of Jersey.
Among his adventures, Michael Hooker continues to nurture his expansive Re:Sound Music label and event brand. Since 2015, the multi-dimensional house and techno platform has ensured that bodies remain strapped to the dancefloor, featuring a catalog of tunes for any mood. Furthermore, the brand’s popular Sunday Social Pool Party at the Hotel Adeline in Scottsdale, AZ, is making bigger waves than ever before; a great choice to take a dip and cool off from the raging desert sun.
That’s just a snippet of what Michael Hooker has got going on these days. He also just announced he’ll be playing Goldrush Sonoran Skies at the Phoenix Raceway this October while also working on expanding his travels to India in the fall. So, if you’re in the market to experience a sound pallet that takes you on a riveting ride through the shadow-soaked corners of the rave, then do yourself a solid and make your way to one of his shows. Continue on for a taste of what he’s made of, get up to date with current events, and get to know a little bit more about the man behind the music.
Stream Michael Hooker – “Escape” on Spotify:
Hi Michael, thank you so much for linking up with us today. Let’s kick things off with a chat about your current schedule. You’re traveling from LA to the UK, Germany, and back to the States over the summer. Are there any locations you’re particularly excited about? Give us the scoop.
Hi Maria! Honestly, I’m looking forward to every show. It’ll be great to catch up with my good friend D-Nox as we’re playing together in Manchester and playing alongside Danny Howells again. In Birmingham, I’m playing at a new, really forward-thinking club in the city. It’s great to see how the music scene has progressed since the last time I played there.
I’m also excited to travel to Leipzig as I have never been to that part of Germany. One of the shows is hosted by my friend and fellow DJ / Producer, Pretty Pink, and it’s her hometown. It’s always a pleasure to go back home to Jersey and DJ on the Island. The Watersplash is in such an idyllic location; it’s right next to the beach/sea, and when the sun sets as you’re playing, it’s beautiful!
You’re also making a stop at your hometown of Jersey in the Channel Islands. What are some interesting facts about Jersey? In addition, give us the details of what the music scene is like on the island.
There are a lot of quirky facts, but here are a few… It’s part of the Channel Islands, which is made up of four islands – Jersey, Guernsey, Alderney, and Sark. It’s the biggest island, even though it’s only nine miles by five miles. It’s famous for its dairy cows and Jersey royal potatoes. It has one of the largest tidal ranges in the world. The maximum speed limit is 40MPH, but most of the roads are less than that.
Jersey has always had a thriving music scene. Despite being so small, there has always been a consistent number of huge DJs/Bands booked to play clubs and festivals. There are so many unique places to host events, along with regular clubs and bars, so it keeps things interesting.
Beyond the obvious answer, performing, what is your favorite thing about being on the road for extended periods of time? In addition, can you talk to us about the best experience you’ve ever had on the road?
I love seeing new countries and trying different foods. I’m always grateful when the promoter is kind enough to take me to a local spot to eat or gives me a tour of the city. Every show is different, so this doesn’t always happen, but it’s always great to have a local’s perspective.
The best experiences are always because of the people I meet. I played a show in Mexico a few years ago, and a guy had traveled for hours from a really remote area to see me play. I cannot speak Spanish, so another friend translated for us. It was humbling that he knew my music and label, and he took the time to travel and see me DJ. It was a really great conversation, and it just reiterated how much music connects people.
When looking back on your experience as a touring artist, what are some tips you can pass along to the next rising star?
Take care of your well-being. As a DJ, your “working hours” are antisocial anyway, then traveling between shows and even eating out makes it difficult to remain healthy. The best advice is to try and get as much sleep as you can, stay hydrated, and exercise. Another big one for me (and this isn’t always possible) is to make the order of your shows as close as possible to each other. If it’s your agent or you booking the shows, make sure that it all flows well logistically so the travel isn’t as hard on you.
Now let’s talk Re:Sound Music – Sunday Social Pool Party. How have the events been going this year? Have there been any epic moments that you can open up about?
We have had a great summer so far. This is our third season working with Hotel Adeline, and we are happy that the partnership has gone so well. For us, hosting pool parties on a Sunday is such a good fit for the music we play. It’s a great way for everyone to finish off their weekend.
We always book DJs who are signed to the label or are friends of the label, but their music aligns with us. It’s great to showcase artists that people might not have heard otherwise. When people tell us they really like a DJ and/or say “thanks” for introducing them to new music it always feels great!
For those who haven’t visited the Hotel Adeline in Scottsdale, what makes this venue perfect for the party? Is there anything you’re doing differently with Sunday Social this year when comparing it to previous years?
The venue is great; the pool area is surrounded by flowers and palm trees, and when the sun sets, it goes down behind the mountains.
We normally host six Re:Sound Music parties over the summer, but when the season ended last year, we were asked to curate the music every Sunday. We’ve been hosting our six bigger parties but also booking the DJs on the alternative weeks too. So, regardless of what week you come, you know to expect uplifting house music.
Speaking of the Re:Sound Music brand, are there any new artists we should be paying attention to or new music you’re particularly excited about?
I’m happy with every release we signed for this year. I am excited to have new artists such as Four Candles, Dabeat, DJ Ruby, Kamilo Sanclemente, Jamie Stevens, and Anthony Pappa joining us. Plus, more collaborations from myself, D-Nox, and many other great music.
As Re:Sound Music’s label manager, how do you balance that career with your career as a performing DJ and producer? Talk to us about the biggest challenges as well as what you love most about management in the music scene.
You need to have structure! I’ll plan my weeks in advance. Two days are allocated to the studio, one day is allocated to finding new music for sets, a morning for label admin, etc. Social media is also a huge part of my life as an artist/label manager. I try to be as organic as possible with my posts, but I do plan when I’ll be posting about upcoming events, upcoming releases, shows, etc. I try to make the most of my time, and having things scheduled makes it all easier.
Finally, I love to end on a fun one. In honor of your Sunday Socials Pool Party, what is your favorite swim trunks print, as well as your favorite summer beverage to sip by the pool?
Right now, my favorite shorts are covered in different colored smiley rave faces. I rarely wear anything other than black, but these are really cool, especially for our pool parties.
Beverage-wise, on the occasion I do have a drink, I like a spicy margarita made with mezcal.
Michael, thank you so much for your time! We hope you have a fantastic summer full of packed shows and amazing memories!
