Mike Dierickx

Mike Dierickx
Birth name Dirk Dierickx, but changed his name to Mike Dierickx in 2000
Also known as M.I.K.E Push, Solar Factor, The Blackmaster , Return of the Native, Plastic Boy, Absolute
Born (1973-02-20) 20 February 1973
Antwerp, Belgium
Genres Trance, progressive
Occupation(s) Producer, Dj, Remixer, Composer, Musician, Songwriter
Instruments synthesizer, drum machines, engineering
Years active 1992–present
Labels Club Elite, Coldharbour, Armada Music; Bonzai Records
Associated acts Armin Van Buuren, Tetsuya Komuro, Rank 1
Website www.mike.be

Mike Dierickx (born 20 February 1973), formerly known as Dirk Dierickx, and most commonly recognized under the aliases M.I.K.E. Push or Plastic Boy, is a Belgian DJ. Best known for the song "Universal Nation", he has also released other singles including "The Legacy" and "Strange World".[1] His style is primarily progressive trance.

Biography

Producing and DJing under the name M.I.K.E., he has been releasing records under the guises: Solar Factor, M.I.K.E, The Blackmaster, Return of the Native, Plastic Boy, Šand, and Push. In total, there are around 85 different aliases that span his career, because of either collaborations with other artists, or adapting new aliases simply to suit the nature of a particular track, covering the trance, techno and house scenes. As a DJ, Mike's style is very similar to the music he makes—progressive trance with a techy-edge. He is at the forefront of Europe's new sound, regularly topping the dance charts in several leading countries.

As an 11-year-old boy he discovered the potential of samplers and keyboards, his interest in electronic music developed further over the next years. At the age of 18, Mike handed his first demo tape to the Antwerp-based record company, USA Import. Shortly after, his first record, "Vision Act" was released on the Atom label in 1992. Mike released a series of successful records before he signed up with Lightning back in 1996.

M.I.K.E became very popular and, in 1998, although a commercial crossover had never been anticipated, 'Universal Nation' won several dance awards, and is recognized as one of the classic dance-records of the trance era until this day. The number 1 position of the song in worldwide dance charts helped putting the Belgian dance scene firmly on the map. His Push follow-up single 'Strange World' was also a hit and played throughout hundreds of clubs all across Europe. This was followed by another excellent performing release, 'The Legacy', once again topping most dance charts across Europe and entering the British National charts at #21. Over the years Mike received several music awards including best club singles and best dance-producer, and entered the national top 40 in the UK 6 times.

Mike also teamed up and did remixes for Sinéad O'Connor, Moby, Mauro Picotto, Bomfunk MC's, Oliver Lieb, Psy'Aviah, and Ian Van Dahl. This kind of success did not go unnoticed as M.I.K.E. was asked to DJ at some of the best venues in the world, including 'Gatecrasher (venue)' and 'Godskitchen' in the UK, 'Fura (venue)' and Velfarre disco in Japan, 'Dance Valley' and 'Trance Energy' in the Netherlands, and 'Spirit (venue)' and Spundae and Tomorrowland (festival) (Push was headliner of the first edition in 2005) in the U.S. Mike still holds residencies in Godskitchen and The Gallery in London. His Club Elite Sessions radio show clocks millions of listeners on a weekly basis, and tracks such as Elements of Nature, Canvas and Natural Source demonstrate that his appeal remains as strong as ever. And fresh from his acclaimed World Citizen album earlier this year, Schulz Music Group is delighted to announce the signing of M.I.K.E. Push.

Discography

As Push

Albums

Singles

Year Single Peak chart positions Album
UK
[2]
1994 "Acid Hysteria" — Singles only
1995 "Da Story" —
"Blast Traxx" —
1998 "The Real Anthem" — Single only
"Universal Nation" 36 From Beyond
1999 "Cosmonautica" —
"Til Me Meet Again" 46
"Universal Nation '99" 35 Single only
2000 "Electro Fever" — From Beyond
"Strange World" 21 Strange World
2001 "Please Save Me" (vs. Sunscreem) 36 Singles only
"The Legacy" 22 From Beyond
2002 "Tranzy State of Mind" 31
"Strange World" (2002 remake) — Singles only
"Universal Nation 2002" —
"Dreams from Above" (vs Globe) —
"Strange World/The Legacy" 55
2003 "Universal Nation 2003" 54 Electric Eclipse
"Tranceformation" (vs Globe) 92
"Journey of Life" 86
2004 "Blue Midnight" —
"Electric Eclipse" —
"R.E.S.P.E.C.T." —
"—" denotes releases that did not chart

As Plastic Boy

Albums

Singles

As M.I.K.E.

Albums

Singles

As Solar Factor

As Project M.C.

Remixes

References

  1. ↑ "Biography: Push". Dance Vibes. 5 November 1999. Retrieved 18 December 2010.
  2. ↑ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.

External links

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