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A Midnight Society
Where, when did you two meet?
I met my partner, Erik Reyes, in NYC at a night club called Vinyl (now known as Arc). We were introduced, but then really got to know each other during a weekly DJ competition he ran at a club called Stonewall called “In The Mix”. We’ve been close friends and music collaborators ever since.
As for Andrew Jonah, I’ve known him for many years. We went to many clubs and parties in Boston, and even threw a few raves back in the early 90s. When I decided to move to New York and pursue music full time, Andrew had created the Jonah Music Group and picked up Midnight Society as one of his first talents.
How did you conceive the idea for Midnight Society?
I remember hearing the name a long time ago during an old children’s show that I used to watch. The name stuck in my head, and I always kept it in my memory. Clubs would always be rocking music after Midnight when the skies are dark.
Has it evolved into what you thought it might? Has it grown faster, slower?
In some instances, it has... I would have never pictured having many records out there with my name on it. We’ve been getting a lot of remix and production work that keeps us busy in the studio because of it. We hope that this production work will lead to more opportunities to do more DJing and touring. I will always love producing music, but there’s a special energy that comes from playing the music for an energetic crowd that a recording studio just can’t capture.
Can you describe your sound?
Simply put... Dark, deep and dirty. I love my tribal, progressive beats and tech-house grooves with the occasional trippy vocals. Sometimes, I like to get a little trancy and will drop some hard house records to help build the energy. We play and produce a variety of different styles, but every track we feature has major emphasis on thumping beats and heavy bass. A house track isn’t a house without it.
Do you still get that warm fuzzy feeling when the likes of Danny Tenaglia, Tom Stephan, PVD etc chart your studio work?
Of course! It’s a blessing to be able to do what you love, and hearing any of my tracks being played by any DJ (big or small) is always flattering. It’s a sign that what you’re doing actually inspires and moves someone else.
"Heavenly Light" reached number 11 in the Billboard charts, did you get any fan mail, or girls underwear. Or just pats on the back from each other. Basically, did this release really help your global profile?
The Dawn Tallman single from Slaag Records will always have a special place in my heart, for it was my first Billboard charting single. It definitely helped me spread the Midnight Society name to the masses. The other single that reached the Billboard charts this year, “Space Jam” (with vocalist Alan T) on Anodyne Records was also a major help as well.
 Who would you really like to spend a week in the studio with?
There are so many talented producers and vocalists out there that I would love to collaborate with, there’s no possible way for me to mention them all. I can list a few of my favorite DJ/Producers like Danny Tenaglia, Saeed & Palash, Tom Stephan, D. Ramirez, DJ Vibe, Angel Moraes, Peace Division, Chus & Ceballos, Tilt/Tarrantella, John Creamer & Stephane K, PQM and Murk... To vocalists such as Keli Ali, Robert Owens, Joi Cardwell, and Michael Watford.
Who would you really not want to spend a week in the studio with?
There really isn’t any producer or vocalist that I could say that I would never want to work with. It’s all based on the way one person vibes with another.
Is there a global tour in the pipeline?
Yes... We’re currently in the process with setting up some tour dates for this fall and winter in Portugal, Spain, London, Australia and here in the USA leading into the Winter Music Conference in Miami in March.
Outside of the studio, what do you both do for kicks (fun)?
I’m a major video game and Japanese Animation fan. I have tons of vintage game systems such as the PC-Engine, Neo Geo, Dreamcast and even the old Atari systems. And I have stacks of Japanese cartoons on VHS, such as Ranma 1/2, Neon Genesis Evangelion, Nadesico and Serial Experiments Lain.
Is the name Midnight Society appropriate because you get most of your best studio after the clock strikes 12?
Well, isn’t everything better “in the dark”? ;)
Where will Midnight Society be in 5 years time?
It’s hard to predict such a thing... But I would like to think that Midnight Society will continue to gain momentum over the next few years, and become one of the industry’s more established names.
When DJ’ing do you prefer an intimate venue or a larger big beat arena situation?
There’s something to be said about looking into a large crowd of people in a big room. However, I will always love the energy of a smaller, more intimate venue... When the crowd is right in your face and respond to your every move. You really feel as if you’re part of the of party, not just creating it from afar.
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Published / Monday, 27 October 2003
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