How MGR Mike Balances Creativity and Boundaries in the Fast-Paced World of Music

How MGR Mike Balances Creativity and Boundaries in the Fast-Paced World of Music

MGR Mike is a music producer and DJ based in Nashville, TN, with a penchant for all things funky disco house. After releasing his debut track, “At The Disco,” in June 2023, and accompanying tour dates in LA, New York, and Austin, he is quickly making a name for himself in the groovy house music space.

In our recent interview, the artist shared his philosophy on finishing projects. “I’m like, no, I’m going to hunker down and finish it, and it doesn’t have to be perfect,” he said with determination. The mantra is clear: complete things quickly and put them out there.

"And beyond that, people's styles change. We, as artists, evolve as we should. And if I finish a song and sit on it for a year and a half, will that represent me as an artist? Artist at the end of 2025, I don't know. So, just put it out. Go send it."

In today’s music scene, where trends change in the blink of an eye and attention spans are short, getting music out quickly is crucial. MGR Mike stressed the importance of keeping songs from gathering dust. He shared a story about spending months trying to find the perfect label for a track, only to decide, “You know what? I’m just going to release it myself.” And guess what? That move turned out to be a success!

Having his own label, Sparkle Motion Recordings, also means MGR Mike has a reliable outlet for his music. With this, he can still share his creations with the world when he hits roadblocks with other labels.

Another outlet he has is performing at music festivals, where he can connect with his fans in real-time. But Deep Tropics Electronic Music Festival isn’t just about throwing epic electronic music festivals—they’re also seriously committed to sustainability. When it comes to going green, it’s not just about the big changes. MGR Mike shared that his eco-friendly efforts start with the small things in everyday life. For instance, when asked whether he prefers paper or plastic straws, the answer was a firm “neither,” with a strong stance against using plastic straws altogether. These tiny yet impactful choices underscore his commitment to reducing waste.

Touring and producing can be exhilarating, but they’re also incredibly demanding. One key to maintaining creativity? Setting boundaries. MGR Mike emphasized the importance of saying “no” to avoid overextending himself. For instance, he recently turned down attending three different after-hours events in just three weeks. As he puts it, “Creativity isn’t really linear,” and constantly partying can drain the energy needed to make music and run a label.

At nearly 40, MGR Mike learned it’s not about partying every night but preserving energy and staying focused on what truly matters. This is a testament to the fact that creativity thrives when you have the space and energy to nurture it. So, while the world of DJing can be nonstop, this artist knows that taking time for self-care and setting limits is essential for keeping the music fresh and innovative.

In fact, MGR Mike’s newest record, “Ghana Groove,” has been absolutely stellar! This unique track blends disco, house, and Afro sounds, and the response has been overwhelmingly positive, with the record quickly becoming the artist’s fastest-growing release. It has already been Shazammed extensively around the globe, proving that the fusion of genres has truly resonated with listeners everywhere.

To learn more about MGR Mike, including the message or feeling he hopes his listeners take from his music, listen to our full interview below.

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