SAMMIES • Mike Diamond

All-time favorite song?

01.28.20

"Ready 2 Wear" by Felix Da Housecat.

As a child growing up, music surrounds us. What type of music did you hear the most back then? How does it differ from what you listen to now?

01.28.20

House music, freestyle, Bay Area rap, '80s hits and alternative rock were all common sounds in my home growing up. I listen to the same genres to this day just more refined and more knowledgeable, which all helps make me a better DJ.

Can you describe a moment in your musical career, where you felt like you truly reached somebody or made a difference?

01.28.20

A lot of people over the years have said I got them into house music or electronic music. I honestly feel like it’s been a honor to introduce people to sounds they might not have heard or appreciated without the right introduction.

Do you have regular gigs around town?

01.28.20

Yes, Golden Bear every second and fourth Friday and every Saturday, too.

Favorite colors?

01.28.20

All black type of guy.

Favorite guitar player?

01.28.20

Nile Rodgers.

Favorite SAMMIES story?

01.28.20

I was nominated for something and thought I won … but didn’t. Hahaha!

How do you describe your interviews to people?

01.28.20

They’re usually really fun. I did a video podcast last year that was a huge unveil of me as a person and immediately got phone calls and texts about how good it was. I was extremely taken back by the whole experience and that they even invited me on.

How do you describe your music to people?

01.28.20

Always that it’s based in electronic music my first real love.

How do you feel about musical award competitions?

01.28.20

They’ve been around forever and will keep going on. It’s always good to have some healthy competition and drive people to do better.

If you could be any character from history, who would it be?

01.28.20

That’s really hard to choose. I can’t imagine being anyone else honestly. Maybe Jesus, but even that doesn’t sound too great.

If you were stranded on a deserted island, what animal would you be?

01.28.20

Something that could fly, so I could leave. Duh.

Name a pet peeve.

01.28.20

People that can’t be honest and straightforward.

Name a recent personal food trend.

01.28.20

I’m really into cooking. Lately, I’ve been trying different dishes I see chefs make on Instagram. I have a whole saved section just for food on it.

Tell us about how you first started gigging.

01.28.20

It’s all started at house parties, but my first real gig was at Press Club when I was very underage. Met all sorts of people and it’s lead to a 15-plus year career.

Tell us about this creative project. What is it?

01.28.20

As Mike Diamond, I’ve created many parties and things around town that have sparked a lot here. My goal was to always be an event curator and DJ, so I wouldn’t be a slave to the club world. I only play music I like and do what I want unlike Top 40 club DJs. When it comes to house and electronic music, a lot of people who were around know what I did was a revival of a whole scene. It’s pretty crazy what we did here. We really brought a vibe to Sacramento that everyone said you could only get in LA or SF. To have survived off my own tastes and sounds without succumbing to Top 40 club sounds is a major feat here after this long. I want to show there’s more than the simple and mediocrity here.

Tell us about your best gig in Sac.

01.28.20

I think one of my best gigs was when we brought Steve Aoki to Social. It just hadn’t been done before and it was all us. I opened for him with some friends. It was wild and before the cake throwing ridiculousness.

Tell us about your worst gig.

01.28.20

Probably at this random rave I was booked for in the middle of nowhere. So many weirdos and tweakers. I was sketched out the whole time.

Tell us about yourself.

01.28.20

Moved to Sacramento from the Bay Area during high school and haven’t left since. Music and photography are huge passions of mine. I also own an agency called HOUSE and we specialize in social media marketing.

What are your musical goals?

01.28.20

Currently, I’m working on just playing instruments on their own. Not in a producing way, just flat out playing the piano.

What artist or band are you a little embarrassed to love, and why?

01.28.20

Nothing honestly. I like what I like and will never be ashamed of that a day in my life.

What did you want to be when you were 7?

01.28.20

Most likely a professional skateboarder and/or rapper. That was long phase.

What do you sing in the shower? (Be honest.)

01.28.20

I don’t really sing int he shower, but I definitely talk to myself.

What drives you to keep interviewing even though the music industry can be so harsh?

01.28.20

Because anything in this world worth having is going to be a struggle. That’s just how it is. One day it will all click and it will all be a tale of triumph.

What drives you to keep playing even though the music industry can be so harsh?

01.28.20

In the end it’s about sharing the music I love. I feel strongly enough that it’s going to take me even more places than it already has. Being able to have faith in your vision is a blessing in it’s own. Very thankful for that.

What message do you hope to give with your music?

01.28.20

The parties never over, so keep going.

What's a big media inspiration that would most surprise your fans?

01.28.20

I’ve worked on projects with Ford Motor Company, Cartier, K-Swiss, Scion, Toyota to name a few and seen my name in big lights to international television screens already. It’s cool, but nothing beats local love from where you rest your head.

What's next for you?

01.28.20

I have some shows I’m planning around the country, which I’m pretty excited for. I’ve kept it pretty close to home for a bit while I settled into a more stable adult life and grew my business HOUSE, but it’s time to get back on the road. I also want to have my first photo show this year too.

What's something most of your friends don't know about you?

01.28.20

I appreciate calm, quiet and peace more than any of them truly realize. When you’ve been in nightlife half your life, it makes you appreciate how slow and simple life can be at times.

What's the best part of this experience?

01.28.20

I’ve felt overlooked by media for the longest time. People who’s careers I’ve helped to kick-start and that use me as a source of inspiration get more notoriety than me even though we’re in the same space and I’ve been doing it bigger and longer. It’s been pretty ass backwards and I’m glad I get to say part of my piece.

What's the story behind your stage name?

01.28.20

I’ve always seen myself as an unbreakable force. The world has tried, but I’ve came out victorious every time.

What's the worst part of this experience?

01.28.20

The SAMMIES or answering these questions? It’s a little weird promoting yourself and I’m a pretty chill laid-back guy that lets the work speak for itself. But it’s a game and sometimes you have top play it.

What's your favorite jam from the '90s?

01.28.20

"Steal My Sunshine" by Len.

When did you play your first gig in Sac?

01.28.20

I was a sophomore in high school, so 2003. It was at Press Club with my friend Mele Beats.

Where do you see yourself in ten years?

01.28.20

I’ll still have some role in the music scene here. Most likely a venue/bar owner.

Who are your biggest influences?

01.28.20

A lot of legends: Felix da Housecat, Larry Heard, Frankie Knuckles, Larry Levan, Todd Terry, Clarence Avant and Jewel Thais-Williams.

Who first inspired you to play music?

01.28.20

I can’t pinpoint who it was that started it for me, but I know there’s heavy influence from the older peers I was around. Somehow, I happened to fall in line with a bunch of DJs.

Who is your secret star crush?

01.28.20

Jennifer Love Hewitt. It’s weird, but whatever.

Words to live by?

01.28.20

You either get down or you lie down.

You're given a magic wand. What do you do with it?

01.28.20

A whole lot of wild shit. Probably curse the SN&R if I didn’t win a SAMMIE.

Mike Diamond

Q & A

All-time favorite song?

As a child growing up, music surrounds us. What type of music did you hear the most back then? How does it differ from what you listen to now?

Can you describe a moment in your musical career, where you felt like you truly reached somebody or made a difference?

Do you have regular gigs around town?

Favorite colors?

Favorite guitar player?

Favorite SAMMIES story?

How do you describe your interviews to people?

How do you describe your music to people?

How do you feel about musical award competitions?

If you could be any character from history, who would it be?

If you were stranded on a deserted island, what animal would you be?

Name a pet peeve.

Name a recent personal food trend.

Tell us about how you first started gigging.

Tell us about this creative project. What is it?

Tell us about your best gig in Sac.

Tell us about your worst gig.

Tell us about yourself.

What are your musical goals?

What artist or band are you a little embarrassed to love, and why?

What did you want to be when you were 7?

What do you sing in the shower? (Be honest.)

What drives you to keep interviewing even though the music industry can be so harsh?

What drives you to keep playing even though the music industry can be so harsh?

What message do you hope to give with your music?

What's a big media inspiration that would most surprise your fans?

What's next for you?

What's something most of your friends don't know about you?

What's the best part of this experience?

What's the story behind your stage name?

What's the worst part of this experience?

What's your favorite jam from the '90s?

When did you play your first gig in Sac?

Where do you see yourself in ten years?

Who are your biggest influences?

Who first inspired you to play music?

Who is your secret star crush?

Words to live by?

You're given a magic wand. What do you do with it?

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