DJ and producer from the UK, Mitch Gilby His production style reflects his love of all things House and Tech. Gilby has a variety in his music, from strong piano tracks to the more bass-driven sound for the clubs.
A rising star in the house and tech house scenes is Mitch Gilby. Low Steppa and Jerry Davilla have already endorsed Mitchโs submitted release, and his previous three tracks have easily climbed into the Beatport top 100 House tracks. Check out the exclusive interview below:
1. Can you tell us a bit about where you come from and how it all got started?
MITCH GILBY: Hey, Iโm from a seaside town in Essex, England called Southend on Sea, I started my music journey as a DJ many years ago now. I have always had an interest in music since I first learnt how to play the guitar and started a band with a few friends at a young age. I then went through different phases and my interest changed to all different genres before finally landing on dance music. I got my first pair of decks from a mateย he had a Traktor controller but we didnโt have the full programme so it would cut out after 10 minutes. Far from ideal to record a mix on! After playing with that for a short time I upgraded to Pioneer which I then became obsessed with. I got my first club set from winning a DJ comp for a local party. It wasnโt one to remember as halfway through my set I pressed the cue button on the wrong deck โ ouchh. I can look back and laugh now but that was one set to forget. Producing came a bit later on. I always looked at making music as an impossible task as I had no music theory. Watching guys on YouTube talk about compression just went over my head but with covid and lockdown I was able to sit down every day learn it all. I soon realised once you have the basics down itโs not as scary as I thought. ย
2. Do you feel that your music is giving you back just as much fulfillment as the amount of work you are putting into it or are you expecting something more, or different in the future?
MITCH GILBY: Hopefully something more! Iโm still only in the early stages of my music with a number of releases out and would love for it to be my full-time job. Iโm currently still working my 9-5 in the week and DJing on the weekend. Thereโs limited time for production so thereโs a lot of late nights.
3. Who were your first and strongest musical influences?
MITCH GILBY: I would say my parents had a big impact on my music growing up listening to all different genres. They used to take me to concerts and day festivals all the time (kid friendly ones of course). 90โs dance music is a big Influence for me. The likes of Armand Van Helden โ the way he samples old records in his tracks. The first dance album I remember owning was Fat Boy Slim โ playing Praise You in my mumโs car. That track still goes off to this day.
4. For most artists, originality is first preceded by a phase of learning and, often, emulating others. What was this like for you? How would you describe your own development as an artist and music maker, and the transition towards your own style, which is known as House Music?
MITCH GILBY: Yeah starting out was the all about emulating what I was watching on YouTube. I think when you start itโs hard to get your ideas down and over time when you progress it gets easier to execute. I still now take ideas from other artists I listen to โ sometimes you hear a song and your like ah I wish I made that then go in the studio and try to make the same kind of style. I think naturally your own sound and style will come across just by how you do your thing.
5. Creative work in a studio or home environment, or interaction with a live audience? Which of these two options excites you most, and why?
MITCH GILBY: My studio is at home so thatโs where most of my creativity gets done but itโs always fun playing a new track you have made out to a crowd. Seeing the reaction and people dancing to your music is always a satisfying buzz. Me and a couple of pals started up our own event last year โKonnectedโ so itโs always exciting when we plan the next event and bring people together.
6. Could you describe your creative processes? How do usually start, and go about shaping ideas into a completed song? Do you usually start with a tune, a beat, or a narrative in your head? And do you collaborate with others in this process?
MITCH GILBY: Good question! Thereโs a few different ways, I usually start with a vocal and build a track around that. For example with my track Feed Your Soul I had a strong vocal hook and I knew what key it was in so the rest came easy. probably one of the quickest songs Iโve made to date. Sometimes I build the drums and chords then find a vocal after but this can be more tedious and time consuming. Listening to other artists and different genres usually helps spark my creativity. I havenโt collaborated with any other producers just yet but always up for the idea.
7. What has been the most difficult thing youโve had to endure in your life or music career so far?
MITCH GILBY: In my music career so far, I think itโs just getting heard. As an artist starting out you get ignored a lot from labels or other DJs and your music gets limited listens which is a pain. Thereโs a lot of emails sent that go unnoticed which is just part of the process. Itโs always a joy when you do get a reply.
8. Did you have any formal training or are you self-taught?
MITCH GILBY: Yeah, pretty much self-taught, there was a lot of hours spent on YouTube. There are some really good free production videos out there which really make it as simple as possible. I have also done a few masterclasses and online courses which are always good to get an insight to see how the pros do it.
9. On the contrary, what would you consider a successful, proud or significant point in your life or music career so far?
MITCH GILBY: Like I said Iโm still in the early stages of my music so I take a win where I can, so each radio play I get is a successful and proud moment for me.
10. With social media having a heavy impact on our lives and the music business in general, how do you handle criticism, haters, and/or naysayers in general? Is it something you pay attention to, or simply ignore?
MITCH GILBY: Criticism is all part of the process โ not everyone is going to like your music. You just have to not take it personally. I think social media as a whole is a great advantage you can put music out and get an honest response. Thereโs tunes Iโve thought are not my best and have put snippets out where Iโll get messages from strangers with positive feedback and others I thought where good and not much of a response. Itโs good to utilise all platforms and take the good and bad when it comes just donโt get too caught up in it.
KEEP IN TOUCH:
FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | SPOTIFY
