Introducing: Mikal & His Metalheadz Promo Mix

A native of the picturesque Bath, Mikael Willett’s d&b nom-de-plume, Mikal, has cropped in all the right places. After featuring on the ‘Genesis Part 2’ EP on Goldie’s seminal Metalheadz label he inked an exclusive album deal with them, pledging to produce an LP of varying tempos and he’s previously been nominated as a producer to watch by online portal Kmag. With releases already under his belt on labels like Soundtrax and Nu Urban Music and a fabric debut, at Goldie’s FABRICLIVE 58 album launch on the 15th July in the offing, we thought it was high time we caught up with him, grabbing the exclusivity on his latest mix as we did it.

Download: Mikal – FABRICLIVE x Metalheadz Mix (tracklist below)



For those who may not be acquainted with your sound, can you introduce yourself in 10 words?
I produce mostly drum and bass and dubstep, amongst other bits, and I’m currently working for Metalheadz on an album project.

What have you been working on recently?
I have just started producing a more diverse range of sounds building up my resources, samples etc, creating a toolkit to help me finish my album. I am just trying to be as prolific as possible and concentrate on getting the bangers together. ‘Higher Forces,’ which features on Goldie’s FABRICLIVE 58 CD, due out July, is my first ever dubstep track. I am really quite chuffed that it has made such an exalted entrance onto the scene. It is due to be released as a single by Metalheadz later this year. Every time I think I have finished the B-side for that single, I like the next track even better, so I’m learning when to stop. I'm also going through some ideas for the album. I don’t want it to be a tight drum and bass focus, I want to include some other down tempo tracks in there as well.

Although you've been releasing tracks for a few years, you're one of the newer members of the Metalheadz family, how did you get involved with the label?
I got involved with Metalheadz simply through sending demos. Chris (the label manager) got back to me after hearing 3-4 tracks saying he liked some of the tunes and to keep them coming. Shortly after that, I sent a few more over and Goldie got in touch. I got The Phone Call from G and the rest has snowballed from there. I feel my work sits well in the Headz camp and I love making that dutty, gritty, screw face sound. I feel privileged to be working with the people on the label and the heritage that it comes with. Goldie has been an amazing mentor and listening to Subwave, Jubei and Lenzman’s work really raises the bar. I gain a lot of inspiration from being around them all.

Can you tell us more about the LP coming out on Metalheadz?
I can't say too much about it now as I’m still writing a lot of the material but I want to create an album with a mixture of sounds and genres yet still containing the dance floor d&b numbers. I don’t expect the album to be out until next year but I have loads of projects in the pipeline, some collaboration and some tracks scheduled for release before the album, which I am finishing off at the moment.

How did you feel when you heard Goldie had selected ‘Higher Forces’ for his mix? Can you tell us more about the track?
I was delighted to hear that Goldie had picked that track. It's more of a downtempo/dubstep tune and I was definitely outside my comfort zone when writing that one. I used similar sounds to what I would use in my d&b productions but slowing it down adding in garage-y style drums, deep bass lines and long pad sounds.


Mikal - Headbanger [Metalheadz]

I am proud to be producing in the UK, there is such a rich history that permeates the music scene at the moment – there is nothing like a recession to generate great music. I feel really inspired by that at the moment and ‘Higher Forces’ was an experiment with a few sounds I was playing around with. Until this track I have only ever released d&b tunes. I have been really enjoying branching out into different genres but ultimately drum & bass is my first love

Ahead of your set here next month, when you'll be joining Goldie at the launch party for FABRICLIVE 58, hype us up....what can we expect from the night?
It's going to be a huge night with a great lineup, showcasing all that’s happening with Metalheadz right now. You’re going to be hearing some heavy rollers from Alix Perez and Ulterior Motive. Jubei will be dropping plenty of fresh dubs and I’m sure the Dutch master Lenzman will be bringing a soulful element to the night too. I’ll be testing out loads of new material and playing my personal favourites. Not forgetting the Guv'nor Goldie, Mr. Metalheadz himself, who has been back in the studio producing some filthy new tracks to keep us on our toes! All of this will be going off at the one and only unbeatable venue fabric, at which I am playing for the first time; a goal, since my first visit in 2000…

Catch Mikal in Room Two for Goldie’s FABRICLIVE 58 album launch on 15th July. FABRICLIVE 58 is out on the 18th July. Pre-order your copy here.

Mikal – FABRICLIVE x Metalheadz Mix
Tracklist:

1. Commix - Cowbell
2. Vicious Circle & Jubei - Cloak And Dagger
3. Dakosa & Anile - Osiris
4. Jubei - Patience VIP
5. Mute & Mako - Rohrschach
6. Mikal - Headbanger
7. S.P.Y & Jubei - Project 1
8. Nickbee & Malk - Apocalypse
9. Digital, Morphy & Raiden - Cheeky
10. Mikal - Epic
11. Subwave - Dreamcatcher VIP
12. Hybris & Rido - First Contact
13. Break feat Spectrasoul - Martyr
14. Subwave & Enei - The Mines
15. Mikal - Everything
16. Nickbee & Malk - Outcome
17. S.P.Y - Pressure Drop
18. Friction & K Tee - Set It Off (Icicle remix)