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Dancefloor Destroyer:
Mylo

Mylo is an up and coming DJ/producer from Scotland’s Isle of Skye. Hiis album, “Destroy Rock & Roll,” has been doing really well in Europe and will be released in the US later this year. Mylo wrote in about studying at Oxford University, REO Speedwagon and French-kissing a dog.

What is your favorite track off of “Destroy Rock & Roll” and why?
Otto’s Journey. Not sure why. I am still not sick of it despite it being quite simplistic. Also it is not based on samples, which is nice. I suppose.

What was the first track you made for “Destroy Rock & Roll?”
Either “Sunworshipper” or the track “Destroy Rock & Roll,” I can’t remember which came first. Both date from early 2002. Jesus Christ, that’s three and a half years ago!

Do you remember your first gig?
Yes, it was the School talent contest in about 1991; we played a song called “Unbelievable” by EMF. It was with the same guys who are in my band now. We are very monogamous.

Whom would you love to perform with?
I don’t really love to perform full stop so I’d happily share the stage with someone to whom it comes naturally….Beyonce?

Are you working on any new material?
Always.

What’s been the most enjoyable aspect of the year since “Destroy Rock & Roll’s” release?
The usual clichés – globetrotting, fabulous parties, ladies, meeting some of my heroes (& heroines).

Who are some of your biggest dance music influences?
Soulwax/2manyDJs, Optimo, Erol Alkan, Les Rhythmes Digitales, Metro Area, Italo-disco, Royksopp, Daft Punk, Chemical Brothers.

Have you heard any American reaction to your record?
I think there has been a small New York- based buzz about it for a while among people who mistakenly look to London for the next thing! We did a small show there in March and it was rammed, despite it being a Tuesday night with a blizzard! But I’ve recently signed with Sony US so the record will get a proper release in September I think.

How did you end up remixing Moby’s “Lift Me Up?”
We share European management, so I guess that’s why. I was pleased to be asked. I also DJed at his album launch party at the W hotel in New York (for about fifteen minutes!) and in return my friends and I all got rooms there for a couple of nights … Easy!

Do you have any musical guilty pleasures?
I love a lot of stuff that would probably generally be considered to fall into that category – Toto, REO Speedwagon, Journey etc. The difference with me is that I don’t feel guilty about it!

Do you remember the first concert you went to?
Just like everyone who comes from my island, my first concert was to see local heroes Runrig – a folk rock band, still very big in Germany.

What’s been your worst night out?
Probably New Years 1995 or so when I had a crap time and then got unnecessarily beaten up on the way home. I also may or may not have French-kissed a black labrador.

What’s one trend you would like to see end in dance music?
Oh … you know – formulaic commercial crap.

Where was the first time you dove off stage?
Good question. It’s all a bit of a blur. I think it was in Londonderry, Northern Ireland.

When you’re DJing, do you use CDs or vinyl more often?
About half and half, to be honest. I’m happy with either.

What’s been your most embarrassing moment behind the decks?
My life behind the decks has been one long embarrassing moment as I’m not really a DJ at all in any technical sense. I always just intended to be a producer, and then eventually started to DJ last summer because people kept asking me to and I thought it would be fun.

Do you follow a certain method for creating tracks?
Absolutely not, but (particularly if I’m doing a remix), it normally involves staying up til about 7am, listening to the session on a loop, changing the odd bit, drinking – first coffee -then cheap white wine! A very healthy approach.

What’s the oddest record you’ve sampled?
I’ve got a hard drive full of nutty samples that I have never used. There’s a nice one of these African guys who dance and slap their welly boots.

What’s the best piece of advice that you would give to DJs starting out?
Make a record. Unless you are unbelievably dedicated and/or lucky and/or talented as a DJ it’s very hard to get noticed if all you do is DJ.

What’s the craziest thing a fan has done to meet you?
These two guys at one of my UK live shows in January suddenly held up an enormous home-made sign that read “MYLO I’M PREGNANT”!

What’s your favorite TV show?
Has to be The Simpsons. For quite long periods it has been the single reliable source of joy in my life- isn’t that tragic? Not any more, fortunately.

Do you have a favorite book?
I’m very fond of a twisted German novel called Perfume, by Patrick Suskind. Read it, it’s like nothing else.

Do you have any hidden talents?
I got the top first in my year in Philosophy and Psychology at Oxford University, but most people who meet me think I’m pretty stupid, so I must do a pretty good job of hiding what remains of my intelligence.

Do you have a favorite memory from high school?
Indescribable nocturnal adventures with my friend Sandy. God that sounds terrible!

Describe yourself in three words.
Fuck. Right. Off!

Do you have anything else that you would like to add?
……………………..

For more info on Mylo, please check out www.breastfed.tv/