Projecting a forward-leaning sound infused with deep musicality and raw, stripped-back minimalism, Michelle Sparks’s productions display a hyper-focused and extraordinarily skilled artist, intent on pushing the envelope. Recognised across the industry for her uniquely atmospheric and futuristic sonic palate, her ability to synergize complex textures with underground rave aesthetics is second to none, as she continues to explore the limitless boundaries of techno with her trademark minimal grooves and dark, stirring melodies. Following the critically acclaimed release of her latest hit record ‘Yakuza’ on Octopus Warehouse Series, we caught up with the Phoenix-based talent to find out more.
Hi there Michelle! Where can we find you right now?
I’m sitting at Provision Coffee in Phoenix Arizona right now. It’s one of my favorite coffee shops out here & I love coming and doing work on my laptop here.
How did you start your day?
I start my day with breakfast & a cappuccino every day and then I delve into my admin work on my computer before working on studio or music work.
How would you define the sound of your latest work Yakuza? What is the concept behind it?
I was making it in the studio over the summer while I was daydreaming of traveling to my favorite place, Tokyo. It’s a stripped back, raw, warehouse thumper infused with a solid dose of acid.
What artists are you interested in these days?
I’ve been loving what Simina Grigoriu, Matrixxman, Deas, Juheun, Xander & Aardy lately and always seem to have their tracks in my sets.
If you could collaborate with anybody dead or alive, who would it be?I think I’d have to say Anthony Rother. He’s always been a huge inspiration to me!
What’s the music scene like in Arizona right now?
The mainstream EDM scene out here has been thriving for awhile now, and the underground techno scene is coming up over the last few years. Now post pandemic I think people are really ready for something new & there’s a lot more hype about techno & underground dance music right now. My label mate on Octopus Recordings, Juheun and myself have been hosting a regular techno event for the last 10 years in Arizona called Circuit, and that’s been helping to fuel the underground scene out here as well as giving us an outlet to share our style of techno out here.
Any local artists we should be keeping our eyes on?
Definitely my comrade & label mate Juheun who I just mentioned above, he’s been pumping out great music recently and is really bringing fresh life to techno out here in the USA.
Favorite club you’ve ever played in?
Glow in Bangkok, great soundsystem & a super intimate vibe and an awesome group of people! Finally, can you tell us something about your future projects?
I’ve been working non stop in the studio recently on a bunch of new music and I’m super jazzed to share it with you all this year at my upcoming gigs, stay tuned to my socials for announcements.
