Miguel Migs is a man in demand, from his native West Coast of America to Australia and Europe. His own brand of soulful house has won him many fans on the deep house/R&B tip, and the last year or so has seen a fine mix album for Naked Music ('Nude Tempo One'), an artist debut ('Colorful You') and now a more upfront collection for Defected with Jay J, 'West Coast Sessions'. Resident Advisor somehow tracked this busy man down for a chat after his recent tour of OZ.

What is your approach to a mix such as the one you've done for West Coast Sessions?
I just wanted to do a mix CD that was similar to a night out in the club. I usually like to make CDs that are more home listening pleasure than club-oriented, so this was a chance to pick up the pace a little on a more dance based label than someone like Naked Music, who I have also done 2 mix CDs for.

Would you say that the music you play has become deeper in the last few years after a mix such as the one you did for NRK's Nitelife series?
No, I pretty much always play records that I like, and that's what it has always come down to for me. I play what I feel and work with the crowd spontaneously depending on the vibe and venue, but over all, I have always played pretty deep and funky whether it be vocals, tracky shit or percussive and instrumental.

Is the West Coast where it's at for house music now?
No. There are some good labels and producers out here for sure, but i love stuff that comes out of Europe, N.Y., Chicago, Jersey, Florida and many other places. The music is not about where it's from to me. It's a huge world and theres good house music being produced all over.

Are you a fan of the New York house sound of DJs such as Erick Morillo and Cevin Fisher?
I can appreciate all kinds and styles of music, so yea, I have respect for those guys definitely.

What's the ideal DJing night for you?
Shit, let's make the setting a nice warm summer night playing outside at a party on the Mediterranean. A good proper sound system, nice and dark for the lighting, a quality open minded music loving crowd that aren't too cool for school, a couple shots of tequila and it's on!

Were you pleased with the reception to 'Colorful You'?
Yeah, some people get it and some don't. I can't make music to please all the critics in the world, but I make music that I feel and that's that. I like to be diverse in musical style, and this was just a soul album! A listening pleasure based soul album and not a dance club album at all! A lot of the material was 3 and 4 years old and it's the first album i ever made. It represents where I was at musically at that time, and I learned a lot in the process. I am pleased that it has gotten strong support from the R&B, soul music crowd and people that normally don't even like or listen to house music. But they love the album! Not all the cheezy closed minded, way too clubbed out dance mags may not get it, but the right people have.

What's the next move for you?
Just keeping busy working in the studio on alot of different styles of music in between traveling non stop and DJing all over the world.

You're alongside some quality acts on Naked Music in Lisa Shaw and Central Living. How much input do you have in the running of the label?
I'm just an artist on the label, and I do work for many other labels as well. So, I don't like to pigeon hole myself at all. I tell Bruno (A&R guy) what I like and what I don't, but they have their niche and their vision. Jay Denes, Dave W. and Lisa are all amazing artists though and I love their work!

Do you ever rest?! You seem to be out and about a lot presumably a result of your enthusiasm for the music.

My down time is being in the studio creating music! That's what I'm living man! It keeps me balanced and relaxed. As well as being in good weather chilling out at the beach or something. Maybe catching a flick or grabbing a drink with some friends.