Author | Winter Mendelson
Featured image by Maro Hagopian
Mikëy Hefez is a New York-based DJ who I caught playing at the Tuesday night NYC queer party STRUT! produced by promoter and fashion designer Deryck Todd. Hefez really understood the crowd and played an eclectic mix that kept the queers dancing and smiling all night. He began his career at the early age of 18 in Tel Aviv at a monthly queer electronic party called PAG, which he brought to NYC for Pride this summer for the first time. In my interview with Hefez, he describes his style as “tropical, post-internet,” which is a term that refers to those who not only use the internet as a tool, but comment on the internet’s affect on society as a whole. If you want to explore this further a good example of this movement is embodied by the label and collective PC Music, which “proposes a set of critical questions about pop culture, accelerationism, hyperrealism, digital communities, gender, identity, and consumerism. The questions may not have definitive answers, but that’s partly what’s so fascinating about the collective.” – Pitchfork.
I love his style as many others do and as such we invited him to DJ at our upcoming dance party CTRL SWITCH on July 17th at Black Bear Bar in Williamsburg, BK produced in collaboration with dapperQ, bklyn boihood, and DYDH Productions. Proceeds will support our fashion show this coming Fall 2015 at The Brooklyn Museum. Come out and play!
DETAILS:
Friday, July 17th
Black Bear Bar
70 N 6th Street, BK
11pm – 4am
$5 before midnight / $7 after
Interview with Mikëy Hefez
Who are your influences and how has this affected your style?
Music has always played a big role in my life. As the youngest in my family I was always exposed to music my parents and siblings were hearing. My dad used to play Pink Floyd and the Beatles, Mom was obsessed with girl bands from the 70’s and classical music. My sister was into the 90’s grunge mixed with Pop and my brother explored more experimental territories like Aphex Twin. My music taste is very eclectic. I’m influenced by diversty and finding harmony in different genres mixed together.
My current style is a mix of Tech-House, Middle Eastern Electro, Uk Garage, Nu-Wave & Disco. I like creating a tropical, post-Internet vibe, meaning anything can happen, from Grimes to Donna Sommers to Nicolas Jaar.
Shows by Mikëy Hefez on Mixcloud
What was the first show you ever participated in as a DJ?
When I was 18 I started working at a queer party in Tel Aviv called PAG as their “stamp boy.” Roy Raz & Eitan Tal, Pags Founders, opened the nightlife door for me and after year I started DJing around the city and opening for the PAG events. It was a huge deal for back then. The party is running for the past 12 years In Tel Aviv with successful jaunts in, Berlin, London & Belgium. Past participants of the event include, Hercules and Love Affair, Dita Von Teese, Simple Mobile Disco, Chloe Sevigny, Horse Meat Disco and more. This past Pride, PAG and I came full circle as I produced and DJ’d the first NYC Edition of PAG.
What’s the best thing that’s ever happened to you at an event?
Debbie Harry dancing to my jam.
When you play at a party do you plan out the entire set?
Depends on the event. I usually plan the first track and swim from there. I think its best to vibe off the crowd and understand what energy to throw back.
What do you do outside of the dance music scene?
Establishing myself as Visual Artists. I’m currently working on a exhibition and finishing my BFA at Parsons.
What advice can you give someone looking to become a successful DJ?
Know your music, leave mainstream for the radio, make the crowd dance and n e v e r forget your core music passion.
