The 323rd episode of our 12 Questions segment features producer Alex M.I.F.
1. How old are you, where are you living and how long have you been producing and Djing?
I’m 25 years old and I live in Kiev. I started to produce music 11 years ago. About a few years later I began to practice DJing and then my interest in this case started to progress even more.
2. Where do your musical roots lie, what are your first memories of electronic music and when did you know you wanted to pursue it seriously? Are there any particular productions or artists from the past that really made you think to yourself ‘this is what I want to do.”
Every musical genre has influenced of my musical tastes. The Prodigy is the first electronics which I heard on the audio tape. I absolutely don’t understand this music but it was so interesting for me. I don’t even know that house music is already developing at the full speed.
3. How difficult was learning to produce for you in the beginning? Did you take any Audio Engineering programs or production courses to help you out or are you pretty much self taught? And did anyone give any advice early on that really helped?
The main help to produce music was my musical education. I graduated the National Music Academy of Ukraine as classic musician. Off course before start to write music I’ve seen many tutorials and video courses.
4. What parts of the production process do you find the most difficult and what comes easiest for you? When you do hit a creative block what helps you through it?
The most easiest for me is a write melodic parts. I just hear them when I have creative mood and new ideas.
5. What’s a normal day like for you? Do you have a job outside of electronic music? And what do you like to do when you’re not working on music?
Music is not only work for me is the way of life. Everyday I work at the National Presidential Orchestra of Ukraine. I like play in bars as a dj and watch the football. And most interesting project for me now is our Nota Bene music academy. It’s my family business with my lovely girlfriend.
6. Apart from electronic music what other genres do you listen to and who are your favourite artists outside of electronic? and do these genres or artists have a direct effect on your own productions?
I like hip-hop, funk, disco, soul, lounge and classic music. My favourite singer is Luciano Pavarotti.
7. What was the first and last physical (CD, Vinyl, Cassette etc) piece of music you bought?
The first cassette of Bomfunk MC’s – Freestyler. The last one I think it was Limp Bizkit album.
8. Tell us something about yourself that might surprise people?
I have been in different countries and played in a many symphony orchestras as a french horn player.
9. Which producers in your opinion get consistently overlooked?
I hesitate to call their names, but there are many artists in the direction of deep house which people don’t have heard.
10. Which producers consistently inspire you? And where else does your inspiration come from?
Great house makers Kevin Over, James Johnston, Iron Curtis, Detroit Swindle, Max Graef. I like their sound.
11. There are countless producers out there trying to find their way and create their own unique sound, what advice do you have for them?
Only hard work and believe in success.
12. If the final DJ/live set of your career was next week what would your last track be?
I don’t know, maybe it would be Bobby Caldwell & Jack Splash – Break Away (feat. Jessie Ware).
‘Over The Clouds’ is out now on Stellar Fountain, you can purchase the release: here
