To say that 2019 has been a memorable year for 22-year old DJ Michael Joe Cini, a.k.a Micimago, wouldn’t be an incorrect statement. His summer single Place featuring fellow Gozitan artists Jolene Samhan and Shaun Axiaq has been well-received by the local music industry, and its popularity with radio DJs stands as testimony to this music producer’s potential. With almost 50,000 hits on Spotify, the song has sealed its place as one of this year’s top Maltese hits. One question rises, how did he make it all happen?
The possibilities of it not happening at all were quite high as Micimago admits that as a youngster he didn’t listen to any music. The big transition happened at age 14, when he accidentally stumbled on some music-making software. He hesitates to refer to his first experiments on the software as actual songs but it motivated him to look to other artists such as Martin Garrix, Calvin Harris and Mark Ronson and follow different styles across the electronic genre. Fast forward eight years and Micimago is completely immersed in the dance scene.
The young DJ admits that while outwardly appearing as a workaholic, he is only able to dedicate himself to work he loves doing. There is nothing laid-back about his approach to music, for the focused and inquisitive music producer has set his sights on leaving a mark both on the industry and the people who tune in to his tunes. “That is what really inspires me and what I aim for,” he asserts.
Looking back on 2019, the DJ reveals that his goal at the start of the year had been “to clearly define my sound and release as much music as possible.” With the release of three original tracks and two remixes, you could say the ambitious producer has hit the bull’s eye. The future is looking even brighter for Micimago, as he reveals that his focus is now shifting towards experimenting with his music. “I don’t want to be pigeonholed into one style; I want to experiment while staying true to my sound,” the DJ explains, adding that he would also like to work with some established artists. “Cool stuff happens when you work with other people,” he asserts.
And some VERY cool stuff did happen when he teamed up with two Gozitan musicians earlier this year for summer smash hit single Place. Micimago reveals, “it all started when Shaun approached me with a collaboration proposal,” adding that after hearing Shaun’s composition on the guitar, he was hooked. “I added some more of his sounds, and then at one point we felt we needed some good vocals,” he continues.
In walks powerhouse Jolene Samhan, who not only lent her voice to the track but also wrote the lyrics herself. The trio’s work ethic matched each other’s dynamic and they moved on to another project: creating a music video to accompany the track. Asked about the inspiration behind the fun video, Micimago confesses that the entire thing was shot in his garage, with the musicians also doubling as editors. “We took DIY to a whole new level!” Micimago laughs.
Micimago confesses that while Place was a very fun project to work on, it happened in an extremely hectic period in his life that made focusing on his dreams difficult. At the time, he had been finalising his undergraduate studies and Place’s release date coincided with his dissertation deadline. Quoting social media influencer Tamara Webb, the young DJ insists “it’s all about balance!”
We can't wait to hear what else you have in store for us!