ASTROCAST31: Michael Jukeson by Astro Nautico on Mixcloud

Our 31st Astrocast is a very special one, and is brought to you by a very special person. Michael Jukeson - our newest resident for the monthly FREECANDY events - exists at the crossroads of Light and Dark. One of the best and most versatile party DJs around, MJ spins catchy dance trax that will move even the stoniest of stone cold crowds. Some might say this is a reflection of his notoriously insatiable hunger for sugary snacks. Unknown to most, however, is Jukeson’s dark side. His own productions come from a deep and scary place, where many bodies are likely buried. Sharing a similar aesthetic to Astro fam artist Howse, MJ’s music is like pit of snakes - writhing, alien movements coupled with sound’s rooted in ancient biological horror. In light of this - or more so, in darkness of this - we granted MJ his wish to create a 28-minute long original track in lieu of a traditional Astrocast mix.

You’ve been warned.

Interview

1. Ok MJ, first things first… do you identify more with Michael Jackson or… Michael Jordan?

Both, at the same time.

2. Your name is Michael Jukeson, yet you rarely produce or DJ juke music, if ever. Plz explain.

The name came from when I was in this band called Tuna Turner and the Long Island Iced Tease. We had dubbed ourselves the Jukeson’s as an inside joke (i.e. Michael Jukeson, Jermaine Jukeson, La Toya Jukeson) but then the band broke up and I ended up keeping the name. It causes a lot of confusion but it’s whatever. I don’t want to pinned down as doing any one thing musically or as a DJ and having a misleading name is a good start.

3. The music you produce is also very different from the music you DJ, i.e. dark, serial killer stuff vs. big booty shakers. Is this juxtaposition intentional?

I really enjoy the juxtaposition between the music I play out and my own production although I cannot say it was 100% intentional. My own production is very personal and isn’t always meant to be operational on a dance floor. I was in a dark place when I started making music and have used my music to climb out of that place. When I DJ, it is not about me, it’s more about the crowd and how they are feeling. I just lend my taste to suit their needs on the dance floor.

4. Sweets are featured heavily in the life of Michael Jukeson. What is the relationship between sugary treats and your music/ethos/life?

Sweets are my life. I do not have the words to describe this relationship.

5. What is in this 28 minute track you’ve given us?

There is a lot in there. I just wanted to challenge myself and break out of structure and just explore for a bit. It deals with the relationship between chaos and calm, rhythmic and arrhythmic, dance floor and headphone. I learned a lot through the process of this tune and I am excited to see the response.