BIOGRAPHY (german above)
Mike’s journey as a raver began in the early 90s at Frankfurt’s legendary „Dorian Gray,“ where he first encountered the captivating sounds of „Electronic Body Music.“ It was during this time that the new Techno subculture was taking shape in the Rhein/Main area.
He raved across the entire country, visiting iconic venues like Omen, AufschwungOst, and Warehouse. His greatest passion was following in the footsteps of his idol, „JEFF MILLS,“ and he would travel far and wide to see him perform. In 1992, Mike attended the second „MAYDAY“ event at the Cologne Ice Stadium, and from that moment on, he knew he wanted to be actively involved in the world of Techno.
He began collecting records from renowned artists such as „U.R.,“ „F.u.s.e.,“ and „Frankfurt Trax,“ and soon he started to secure DJ gigs within the region. One notable performance was alongside „Electric Indigo“ at venues like Airport Würzburg, Planet House, and Niel in Schweinfurt. During this time, he also worked at the first Techno record store in Würzburg.
Around 1996-97, the store started selling the first „Drum&Bass“ records, some of which Mike would play at his parties, gradually shifting his focus solely to „Drum&Bass.“ Before long, he became one of the most successful German „Drum&Bass“ DJs. In the following years, he produced groundbreaking releases for Germany’s largest electronic music label, „Force Inc.,“ under the sublabel „Position Chrome.“ He released two LPs, numerous maxi-singles, and EPs that garnered attention not only nationally but also internationally, making their way onto the famous „Peel Sessions“ on „BBC Radio 1“ hosted by the legendary John Peel (rest in peace).
Mike toured extensively throughout Europe and even performed in the United States. In Germany, he played regularly at all the prominent festivals of the time, including Nature 1, SmS, and Fusion.
In the year 2000, he released his album „3 Seconds Is Now,“ which became a milestone in German Drum&Bass. The absolute highlight of that period came with his album „The Hardest Tour on Planet Earth“ and the subsequent tour of the same name. His releases and extraordinary DJ skills made him one of the most booked D&B DJs in 2003 and the following years. During that time, he also curated the first purely German „Drum&Bass“ mix compilation, „Cativo pres. THE INCREDIBLE NEW SCHOOL OF GERMAN DRUM&BASS,“ in collaboration with the nightclub „Airport, Würzburg,“ where he was a resident and promoter.
He produced under the pseudonym CATIVO for other international labels such as „Force Inc./Position Chrome,“ „Urban Takeover U.K.,“ „Freak Rec.,“ and „Hidden Trax“ NL. Eventually, he established his own label called „Assimilate Recordings,“ featuring releases from both renowned national and international artists, including his own.
Mike served as a resident DJ at Airport Würzburg for eight years and organized his own events at Zauberberg Würzburg for five years, attracting fantastic crowds. He toured extensively throughout Europe, including Slovakia, the Netherlands, Belgium, Italy, Switzerland, Austria, and the Czech Republic, and also had performances in the USA. He produced the trailer music for the „BMW Offroad Challenge“ and for „Würzburger Hoffbräu.“
After a five-year creative hiatus with sporadic appearances, he created his „Techno“ alter ego, „MIKE OPANI,“ in 2015. This marked his return to music production. His first two EPs were signed to „MT-Music“ Austria at the end of 2016. In 2017, he released his third EP on „MARIKA ROSSA’s“ „Freshcut“ label, including a remix by „ATZE TON.“
2019 his track „Eternal Life“ was released on „SEBASTIAN GROHT’s“ label „Re-Wasted,“ featuring a remix by „STEVE SHADEN.“
His latest release „Space Rider“ was released on „RENE HELL“’s label „Original Traxx“ including remixes by „DAVID TEMESSI“, „LINUS QUICK“ and „RENE HELL“.
At the same time, his „Walkürenritt E.P.“ was released on „Wolfrage Recordings“.
2021 appears a release on Sound Dissonance, as well as his debut album „VERSCHWENDE DEINE JUGEND“.
2023 his 2nd album „CHARON“ is released on Evosonic Records.
And that’s the story so far…