truth of/or dare

One of London's most energetic and fashionable DJs, gaining a following through playing at the coolest East London  hotspots as well as the chicest exclusive venues in the city. Miguel's DJing has garnered him a strong reputation amongst tastemakers and party-goers alike.

Words by Samuel Afadama, photo by Gabriel Love

So how did it all begin?

I grew up with the music. I come from a very musical family. I used to listen to hip- hop R&B and 90's pop. When I was a kid my favourite thing to do was to sit in my bedroom and pretend I was having my own radio show - I was recording myself speaking and playing my favourite songs on cassettes. My sister dated a dude who had his own show on a local radio station so I would always go there after school and sit there for hours checking the brand new releases, reading the albums' booklets and listening to live shows. When I was 17 I started playing a little bit in a local pub, every Friday from 8 till 3. It was always so packed with people dancing on the tables! It brings back fun memories. Then when I moved to London at the age of 19 I decided to focus more on modelling and fashion so I dropped djing for a bit. Although then I realised how much I missed it!

What was the first event you ever played at/put on?

In July 2010. My friend was doing a night called "Red Lights" in a strip club in Shoreditch. The first song I ever played was "Lapdance" by N.E.R.D!

The name Miguel Dare! Where did it come from?

My real name is a bit boring and hard to pronounce so I thought I'm gonna come up with a nick name- Miguel Dare and work around it like it's a brand.

Did the Djing, Production or Promoting come 1st?

My first gig had an amazing response and people loved it so since then I was djing literally all the time. Word of mouth works very well! I'm friends with many people in the fashion industry because I used to be active on the party scene and going out to places like Boom Box, Caligula, Trailer Trash and Circus. I made many awesome friendships back then as I'm a very sociable person, it really helped me to get into djing at London Fashion Week's after parties and fashion events.

Who's throwing the best parties at the moment?

My singer/rapper/producer friend Rowdy Superstar and Alex Tettey from Vice Magazine are throwing their monthly SOAP at Birthdays in Dalston where I'm a resident dj.

SHOREBITCH is always really well attended I'm so pleased to be their resident.

Caligula is back on as a limited editing, I've hosted for them a few weeks ago and I absolutely loved it!

Last but not least is obviously my official monthly club night "TRUTH or Dare" at XOYO in Shoreditch - its insanely good!

Shit, they know me in Japan! That's crazy!

Apart from London, which other countries have you played/ put parties on?

Last summer I went to dj in Tokyo, Japan. They flew me over there for a gig at the party called "Fancy Him" it was just incredible! I was lost for words! It meant so much to me as when they invited me I thought to myself shit they know me in Japan that's crazy! Then I went and more than 400 excited cool club kids came out to see me perform and I was like WOW!

What's the best event you've played at?

My mums birthday bash! Ha! Just joking I think I'd say ''Fancy Him'' in Japan!

It reminded me of BoomBox! Loved their energy! It was pure fun and I used a mic for the first time!

What was your first record you bought?

Janet Jackson "Janet".

Out of all the tunes you have, which one never fails?

Missy Elliott "Get ur Freak on" - the beat still sounds so fresh each time I play it!

What's your favourite tune of all time?

Remember that my star sign is libra so Im super mega indecisive!

But I would choose Destiny's child " Say my name".

When all the partying is over how do you like to chill out?

I meditate. I love watching movies so I go to the cinema as much as I can. I also enjoy swimming and ice skating! Theme parks are my favourite ever though!

So how is the club scene in your eyes at the moment?

It's getting better. Since parties like BoomBox and Trailer Trash stopped running there was a vacuum of fun parties but it looks like it is getting better of late. I'm happy I can play my favourite 90's R&B music and hip-hop and new millennium bangers at parties tho. People love it so It's all good!

What's your real name if you use an alias and where are you from?

How dare you!? It's a lil secret! Hah!

I WOULD CHOOSE DESTINY'S CHILD "SAY MY NAME

How big is your vinyl collection?

I only started collecting vinyls recently. I found Aaliyah and Kelis vinyls in a record shop In Notting Hill! It made my day! I collect singles tho! Got plenty of them!

What do you think of CD J's?

I only play from CD dj's at the moment!

I turn up in the club with my CDs collection and play. I know my stuff so well so I never have any descriptions next to my CDs neither, I just know the track numbers by heart.

Funniest thing that ever happened at an event?

At my first gig ever which was in a strip club I jumped into the pool and started dancing and I also smoked a cigarette which made all the alarms to go off! Fun times!

Other DJs you rate?

Erol Sabadosh, Rowdy_SS , Siobhan Bell , Darq e Freaker, Elles, Sebastian Bartz , Alexis Knox, Chris Cuff, Fifi <3 , Kris Di Angelis, El Moreno, Mem and oh so many more! Told you I'm super indecisive!

What are your feelings on the MC's?

Yasssir! They are coming back, big time! My girl Mercedes is amazing! She's the best female MC on the scene at the moment! She has performed at my club night live and often bounces with my in my booth at my gigs! So Fun! Lately I went to see my friend Rowdy Superstar performing live in Shoreditch and it was off the chain. I've never before experienced anything like this! It was electrifying! He's incredibly talented!

He's like the master of all kinds!

What do you do outside of the dance music?

I've art directed a music video for an international artist Tatiana Okupnik. I'm working on a few new art direction projects with my super multitalented friend Mr.Wize.

We're currently working on "Beatification of an avant grade silhouette" project.

What advice would you give to up and coming DJ's/Promoters?

Have fun but work hard! Be sociable and out there! Also remember to always have a strong commitment to yourself, live your truth and believe in yourself! Paulo Coelho once said that the secret of life, though, is to fall seven times and get up eight times. it's super important to stay focused and never give up on your dreams!

When you play is it a pre- planned set?

Nothing is ever pre planed! I always bring out a bit of a show when I dj wearing some awesome outfits, head pieces, eye make up, I dance all over the dj booth and interact with the crowd a lot!

the universe is interested in happy people and happy people always appreciate the universe!

How was the year 2013 for you?

2013 was awesome! I djed in some amazing venues at some wicked parties. Went to dj in Tokyo, Japan.

I met amazing, inspiring people, friends out there and also here in London. My official club night Truth or Dare at XOYO is smashing it every month. I've worked so hard and learnt so much in the past year. I've grown up not only as a dj but as a person.

Life's such an amazing roller coaster - Don't wanna stop! Also I think that the universe is interested in happy people and happy people always appreciate the universe!