The story behind “Push - Universal Nation” by M.I.K.E. | Muzikxpress 040

[@metanumia]

I always wondered where that vocal sample came from! Great little documentary on one of the greatest trance tracks of all time, thank you @muzikxpress

[@muzikxpress]

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it! In the next few weeks you can expect some more interviews btw! Chicane, Gabriel & Dresden, Solarstone and.... I managed to speak to Jean-Michel Jarre a bit as well!

[@bhaveshshah2604]

muzikxpress amazing interview mate. Any plans of doing the same with Airwave? With such a massive catalogue like Mike I'm certain he will have lot to share as well.

[@muzikxpress]

@@bhaveshshah2604 Thank you! And yes, for sure! He's on my pretty long people-I-still-need-to-ask-for-an-interview-list ;-)

[@bhaveshshah2604]

muzikxpress chuffed to hear that mate! Can't wait for it to happen 🙂

[@RobertoHIMSELF]

A movie called "The Last Starfighter"

[@sam_hulbet]

Just goes to show if you have originality and a truly spot on production.. No one even tries to attempt a remix. That is what makes a true anthem. This track is why I started to get into Trance. 20 years later, and I'm still lost in the music..

[@TheThrillseekersofficial]

Such a tune!

[@ldn1929]

Everyone gets goosebumps hearing this track, doesn't matter u more into techno, trance, house etc. When people hear it they go like "wtf" then their body starts moving. Amazing feeling every time I hear this sound. Even 20 years after, still love it like I did the first time. This track will bring goosebumps to young generations as well after we long gone I suppose.

[@Sierra-Whisky]

I think it's almost 20 years ago since I heard this track for the first time. It was in a small, dark, sweaty venue. It made me shiver. From my lower back, going up my arms and my neck, going to my forehead, I just felt this tingling sensation going allover the place. Everytime I hear it again, I'm having a flashback to that specific moment. The atmosphere, the bass, the flashing lights, the feeling... For me it's still way beyond goosbumps. And just for the record, I wasn't drugged in any kind of way. I wasn't even into trance, but it just caught me.

[@dlev]

The vocal whipping gets me every time!!

[@Twansparant]

Man, this track still literally gives me goosebumps after all these years! A true classic!

[@mdgarciasa]

the biggest trance producer of all time. there are several others up there with him, but he has the most beautiful melodies combined with the most hypnotic rhythms...

[@de-b1221]

M.I.K.E Push is a true legend to trance, back in the late 90's your music brought people from all walks of life onto the dancefloor and you brought us all together and took away all our problems in life, you set us free😀😛😇🌍♥️. Another reason why you're a true legend is because you create music from your soul and I can hear that passion.

[@RandomnessTube.]

This guy is the greatest trance producer in history imo I'd love to meet him and buy him a beer for giving me hope as a teenager.

[@TranceGurl20]

His songs are amazing ♥️

[@DjDugiUK]

Universal Nation & Strange World are mount Rushmore of trance tunes MIKE you are a legend. Thanks for the music. Great interview

[@muzikxpress]

Juke Box Junkie hopefully I’ll be able to do an interview about “Strange World” with him in the near future as well 😉

[@low3freq]

@@muzikxpress Can't say I'd disagree with that idea!

[@muzikxpress]

Iow3freq music working on it, hopefully early 2020!

[@low3freq]

@@muzikxpress You work too hard take it easy! 😂

[@pearsemcgovern986]

Till we meet again....one if the best trance songs ever

[@scottkirkland6139]

It's a very emotional sounding tune, One of the best tracks.

[@timchromecast]

@@scottkirkland6139 beautiful tribute to Marino Stephano

[@reesebearden6566]

He seems like such a nice and genuine guy. I saw him live at dreamstate 2016. There was only a handful of us watching him. So many people missed out on such an intimate and great experience. Mike and I were pointing finger guns at each other the entire set

[@pheell7408]

Sounds like you were there for the real music & not too just stand there with a phone in your hand!...& for that I salute you! Gun fingers & fist pumping all the way! I’m yet to meet M.I.K.E but he’s on my list along with airwave (Laurent veronnez) glad to hear reacted with crowd 👌🏼

[@Vancouver_1986]

I saw him as a guest on the Thrillseekers's home sets a couple of yrs ago. Seemed really nice!

[@alanwisdom7777]

I will always remember the first I heard this track I was in the middle of the dancefloor at 8 am in the legendary club Turnmills 'Trade' party in London , this sound was a shock, and even 20 years later I still have goosebumps when I hear the first seconds of this massive tune, this masterpiece is a whole journey into another world. Thanks #PUSH.

[@rons1979]

Bagleys. Muddle if the dance floor moment. Quality

[@artyomazarenko3570]

I like Mike’s music so much it is almost under my skin. There is something magical about his talent and passion for his work. After this video, I even like him as a person. I feel grateful to him and grateful for your interview, Twan.

[@muzikxpress]

Thank you Artyom!! I recently sat down with another Bonzai legend for an interview, hope to have that one online asap as well ;-)

[@RobertCampbell-z7m]

First seen him dj in scotland and at a new year gig evertime he came back i was there love his music im 48 now and he still blows my mind trance family will never go away

[@wannabeactuary01]

wow! Not only a good interview but another top bloke! Perhaps it is me but I expected many of these interviews to be with arrogant so-and-so with little time for others. But they have all come across as good people thus far! Perhaps Ben Liebrand summed it up in one of your vlogs to paraphrase away from the decks they are normal, nice people l

[@muzikxpress]

I know right? Most DJs / producers are super down to earth :)

[@TheDarkInstall]

Four hours on a Wednesday afternoon, just went in the studio and vibed it. Lol, what a legend

[@muzikxpress]

So cool right? Haha

[@dicasdoanthony]

When I knew trance back in 2002 I listened so much Push, M.i.k.e. and Plastic Boy tracks. He has tons of classics. Now I want an interview with the other big guy from Bonzai, Twann: Airwave (Laurent Veronnez)! Great video, good work!

[@muzikxpress]

He's on my wish list already ;-)

[@j_d4303]

muzikxpress maybe Cengiz Özmaden also

[@malteb4799]

Was für ein geiles Brett. Universal Nation darf auf keiner Trance Classics Party fehlen.

[@muzikxpress]

Agreed!!!

[@janis75]

Ja, ein geiles Brett 😂😂😂😎😎😎😎😎😎

[@SilasBahlig]

SUCH AMAZING INTERVIEWS! Lets hope more people wake up to these soon

[@muzikxpress]

Thank you very much Silas, glad you enjoy them!!

[@grahamliddell1220]

universal nation must be one of the best trance tunes ever as mike says leave it as it is

[@Shiva4815162342]

Fun fact: The audience you hear on Tiësto’s opening of Innercity 2000, is not the audience of Innercity 2000. It’s actually a part of the Universal Nation vinyl track itself (the live @ Club Illusion version of Universal Nation).

[@muzikxpress]

Ah, good one!!

[@tbronzwaer]

Very nice interview, Twan! I love how we all keep coming back to this track. There’s something magical about it. It’s always great to hear Mike talk about it, too.

[@muzikxpress]

Thanks Thomas! Glad you enjoyed it! And indeed, love this one, it doesn't get old!

[@emphatic001]

I literately had goosebumps when you discussed Charlotte De Witte and Tiësto. Very cool stuff.

[@CubamusPrime]

This main is a fucking genius. His sound is amazing. I can listen to his tracks forever. Every remix he does beats the original. Strange World 2000 is his best.

[@sirwi11iam]

That quick vocal shout sample is the one of the best samples in the world 😂 Ferry Corsten played this track at Creamfields many years ago and it went dowm!! 🤙🏼 Timeless

[@afterhourpower]

He has unfinished business with Ferry... get it finished. Should be amazing. Looking forward to the new Push album. Luckily I have Universal Nation on vinyl. Wohooo

[@eddo2001]

Geez. We are the same age, yet I was an e-tard when this track blew up the dance floor. Energy 52, PvD... but this is the definitive trance track that no other could emulate.

[@IWitnessDnB]

Very interesting interview! Played the track yesterday at a party again, people obviously loved it :)

[@muzikxpress]

Thank you! And good choice!

[@stevendowling8440]

20th anniversary vinyl would be nice 😉

[@j_d4303]

Always great interviews, with the heavy weights of dance music! Mike seems such a down to earth guy, one of my all time favourite producers,and greatest labels bonzai! Everything on Bonzai, xtc and tripomatic are out of this world. Virtua Trancer, Overtone, the blackmaster, plastic boy, the list goes on with the alias’ Mike has worked under. Would like to thank mike for all of the amazing music he has produced and all the fond memories I have clubbing to and mixing his music 👍

[@muzikxpress]

Thanks so much Jon! I did an interview with Airwave the other day as well, which I hope to have online end of March / early April!

[@j_d4303]

muzikxpress awesome! Can’t wait for that to be uploaded!!

[@hecticherman]

Just awesome you made an interview with one of my main trance idol. 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

[@Dashoost]

same I totally agree 👍👍

[@benmiles00]

Great interview as always. I love that tune so much. Every Sunday at Sunnyside Up it would be played by Darren Pearce. Brilliant tune and so many great memories.

[@muzikxpress]

Thanks a lot Ben!

[@tomcruise1]

Universal Nation was the song wich made me into Trance. I love it, and I will never forget the feeling when I heard it for first time. Thank you for all these experiences Mike!

[@davidnavarro4821]

The JP-8000 is a legendary synthesizer in the history of Trance music. Can’t imagine how many main chords came out from this machine.

[@muzikxpress]

Haha yes, very true! Ferry Corsten also used it for " Out Of The Blue" back in 1998.

[@DIM3NSION]

Nice one! 🙌

[@transformerszlaja]

An absolute legend....thank you for the interview!

[@beerdemus2812]

Bedankt Twan, wat een vette content! Niets minder dan dance-geschiedschrijving. Zoveel mooie verhalen die anders nooit het grote publiek hadden bereikt. Ga zo door!

[@muzikxpress]

Oh wow, dank je voor je mooie woorden! En ik doe mijn best! 😉

[@theking11029]

Mike you dont know how BIG this TRACK was in Miami when it came out!! George Acosta would blow up night clubs with it and David Padilla too! Congrats on your NEW album!

[@JESUS-IS-BREAD-OF-LIFE-777]

All of his music is pretty awesome

[@teleportedfunk]

This is fascinating, Mike made his Universal Nation in 4 hours and it is totally legendary and revolutionary top trance anthem to this day, timeless, i remember first time hearing that in 1998 and it was like WHOAAA this is really huge, i had goosebumps and i felt euphoric warmth in my spinal cord, i still remember that moment like it was just yesterday.

[@DreamyGirl-00]

My Push Top 5 1. Strange World (2000 remake)✌ 2. The legacy👌 3. Universal Nation😎 4. Journey of Life😌 5. Electric Eclipse💪

[@j_d4303]

Agree with most of these but think. It’s a tough one for me between strange world and legacy! Both mind blowing trance! Till We Meet again should be up there!

[@emir0324]

He has many more good ones by the alias “plastic boy”

[@JohnsysChannel]

turn out the lights too, what a tune

[@waynehick]

Sunrise at Palamos is a beautiful piece of music

[@ServantOfTruthORG]

Absolutely my favourite also...Sunrise at Palamos...Silver Bath also right up there :)

[@wonderloaf]

This track still gives me the shivers when I hear it.

[@muzikxpress]

So good right??

[@wonderloaf]

@@muzikxpress The best :)

[@Sarke2]

Legend, and he looks like really a nice guy to have a talk

[@muzikxpress]

he is very down to earth, great guy indeed!

[@nikakey.]

Wonderful interview ❤ Very inspiring!! Thanks

[@muzikxpress]

Thank you so much! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@leedorney]

Soo great to watch this and Mike too also, this is a true and total classic OBVIOUSLY, I've never heard this guy so this is an eye-opener for me, soo many classics this guy has done, beautiful!

[@muzikxpress]

Exactly, the amount of classics he made is just insane! 🙌🏻

[@Dashoost]

Mike Dierickx is the king of progressive. He has the absolute best and most complete catalog from the golden era of trance. 1994-2010 IMHO. No other producer or DJ except for maybe Corsten can compare to his releases, his productions, group collabs and remixes under a myriad of aliases during that period.

[@gcultz]

Airwave 's catalog is as big and impressive.

[@Dashoost]

@@gcultz absolutely yes I agree. I forgot to mention him

[@bhaveshshah2604]

gcultz absolutely mate

[@doncarloancelotti2256]

I don't know if you can call him "progressive" king, but he's definitely one of the best out there for all of trance.

[@pheell7408]

I was just about to mention Laurent there until I read the replies haha!...has there ever been any work/colab with these Belgian trance beasts? I wonder if there friends at all...intrigued! Also I agree with your comment 🙏🏼 veronnez/dierickx/lieb top 3 for me!

[@jamesmccann2087]

Universal nation is a masterpiece.👌

[@DJJonPattrsn22]

One of the few original trance producers who hasn't abandoned trance and who is still making and performing trance! Definitely a legend of the genre. He is truly so prolific and really has such lasting resilience and relevance. One of my favorite of his tracks is "Silver Bath"

[@pheell7408]

Great comment & I couldn’t agree with you anymore. Dierickx & veronnez are my 2 favourite trance producers and absolute titans to the trance genre. Silver bath was epic, so driven & progressive 🙏🏼

[@RebasedMind]

Hi Twan, this interview is such transcendental as M.I.K.E. and his Universal Nation :)

[@muzikxpress]

Thank you!! 🙏🏻

[@kimm3757]

Very good interview. Amazing tune.

[@fwmp4488]

This to me sums up the trance genre, absolute classic ❤❤❤❤

[@magdelayna]

great piece Twan! My little brother used to run out of the room scared of the HUHH!! sample in it haha. Im currently attempting a little rework of it myself,using some of the original's samples.

[@ca9968]

I kinda gave up music for a few years, hearing this again in 2014 reignited my love of music, haven`t looked back since...GREAT TRACK!!!!!

[@markm9096]

Ik luister dit nummer al velen jaren werkelijk waar wekelijks! MEESTERWERK! Ik mag mezelf gelukkig prijzen dat ik op stap ging in de tijd dat deze muziek werd gedraaid. Heb als Nederlander heel heel veel Belgische discotheken gezien in de jaren maar er was er voor mij 1 de aller aller beste, de Cherry Moon!!! Daar konden zelfs de wilde zondagnachten van de Zillion niet tegen op voor mij ook al had dat ook wel wat die optredens 😉, degene die die shows hebben gezien snappen mij

[@user-ob9zo9cr4c]

most talented guy behind trance music,

[@muzikxpress]

Such a legend!

[@MTGreborn]

Legendary producer and nice guy. I'm remembering when M.I.K.E. opened me the door of Blitz records shop / Bonzaï Studios at Antwerp when I was young, great time!

[@muzikxpress]

Oh, that's pretty cool! And yeah, nice guy for sure!

[@DJ_TideWave]

I love this track! It is one of my favorite trance track off all time! Awesome interview! The Last Starfighter is a really cool movie too. 🙂

[@muzikxpress]

Thanks so much! I’m planning a new interview with Mike soon BTW 😉

[@EpicWinz]

Another quality interview and some great Dance / Trance history. Love it ❤️

[@muzikxpress]

Thanks so much!!

[@EpicWinz]

muzikxpress You are welcome my friend. It’s a great series. Peace from the UK 🇬🇧

[@BAGCEE2011]

One of the greatest song in trance ! It's sick that he is doing live act !

[@muzikxpress]

That's for sure!!

[@user-no7gh1nn1e]

Another lovely person producing fantastic music !!! Thanks again to Twan interviewing the right people.

[@muzikxpress]

Thanks so much! I hope to do 1 or 2 more interviews with M.I.K.E. next time he's back here. Fingers crossed!

[@gt5456]

Good interview with a true legend. I love his music! One of my all time favourite artists.

[@muzikxpress]

M.I.K.E. is amazing! I really hope to do another interview with him when he's back in Europe. Fingers crossed!

[@jonog4207]

This track is what we call in Ireland....."An absolute banger" timeless beast of a trance track. Good work. Always curious who was behind it

[@ScrubsIsee]

What a handsome and cool guy. Really appreciate this „behind“ stories!

[@muzikxpress]

Thanks so much! More to come soon! :)

[@chinstroker1862]

Incredible stuff. Timeless tracks time and again for so many years. Trance god...great interview

[@muzikxpress]

Thank you so much Elliott!

[@andreistanciu4300]

Thanks for this vid, heard Universal Nation and Till We Meet Again on repetat for months.

[@muzikxpress]

And thank you too!

[@mikartkunst]

Going to see them all this WE at Beauville!!!

[@jappiejojo777]

Thnx for all these videos, you’re interviewing the real music heroes. In the past you cld only see a name, finally we see the person behind it! :)

[@muzikxpress]

Thanks a lot Maciano! Working on new interviews for 2020 already and hopefully there will be a new interview with M.I.K.E. about another classic he did ;-) If you check my Facebook page you can already see which interviews you can expect in the next few weeks :) facebook.com/muzikxpress

[@mattperrin8372]

Like a breath of fresh air when this came out.

[@midierror]

He made some killer tracks - The legacy is possibly the greatest trance tune of all time

[@muzikxpress]

Yeah, love that one! Also love "Silver Bath", which he did under his Plastic Boy alias.

[@theNeathBoy]

Good interview, enjoyed this very much. M.I.KE. Push comes across as a sound guy. And this is one of my all time best tracks. It’s a monster. 👏

[@muzikxpress]

Thank you!!

[@LesEnfantsTerriblesMusique]

Once again... great one, Twan! En het blijft uiteraard een bom van een nummer, ik draai die nog heel regelmatig op feestjes, de response blijft na 20 jaar nog altijd fantastisch...

[@JanMiedema88]

Nice interview Twan. Mike's a cool down to earth guy. Now let's go for a Beauty of Silence video ;)

[@muzikxpress]

Thanks Jan!

[@trancextend]

Massive interview. Very good research. I appreciate his work even more. Woohoo 🙌🏽

[@muzikxpress]

Thank you very much! Took me a long time to find good footage of the sample, but I managed haha ;-) Glad you enjoyed it!

[@megabass]

Amazing! Looking forward to the new album!

[@mulllhausen]

massive kudos to this channel for digging up all this obscure and interesting info!

[@muzikxpress]

Thanks a lot Peter!!

[@sirfizz6518]

"I wanted to be one with the artist I am... and I did it."

[@technoworld964]

You are doing a amazing job by doing these quoting about all these tunes ! I know Push is well know worldwide for that one, though he also made various collaborations with Yves Deruyter, but this is completely a another way... The universal nation contains also a very epic breakdown at the middle of the track and that's personally my favorite moment of the Original Mix. There are also very good remixed composed for example by Ferry Corsten released on Inferno in 1999. I like also his good touch from Ferry Corsten. Good producer this one :) Finally, Universal Nation's melody also inspirated some others tunes worldwide such as the Omega Nine's Universal Nation, but this is a harder trance tune. Love it also but force to M.I.K.E. Push, he never failed to surprise us. Good luck also to all the Belgians Trance producers 👍👍👍👍👍

[@muzikxpress]

Thank you so much!!

[@rallyloverke1]

No wonder he is one of my idols! Followed him since he played Universal Nation live in Extreme club Affligem... after that and many years later visited a gig in Eden Ibiza 2019 and met this nice Guy afterwards outside the club As fellow Belgians he joined us on a picture. He is a master in music and a real friendly guy Go M.I.K.E.!!!!❤❤❤❤❤❤❤💪💪💪💪💪💪

[@MichaelBoogerd]

This series is absolutely brilliant Twan, great idea, and very well executed.

[@muzikxpress]

Chris Clarke Thanks so much Chris!!

[@MichaelBoogerd]

muzikxpress just found the channel randomly, now I got a lot to catch up on 😂👍

[@muzikxpress]

Chris Clarke Haha enjoy! 😂 When M.I.K.E. is back in Europe we hopefully can do another interview 😉

[@MichaelBoogerd]

It’s a good continuation from the trance.nu days 😅

[@muzikxpress]

Chris Clarke you know it 😉

[@GalestianMusic]

Good interview, thanks for posting! Still got the original on vinyl in my collection.

[@muzikxpress]

Thank you! And same, I got the first pressing, with "The Real Anthem" on the cover, which is signed by Mike now hehe ;-)

[@NatBKyiv]

I remember "Universal nation" as a background track of a music chanel "BIZ TV" here in Ukraine. The host was talking shit and I was thinking "What is that track on a backgroundg? Would you please shut up and let me listen to it?" But he never did. Thanks god I found out what track is it few yeas after

[@Hunter_UT]

Не очікував вас тут побачити ;-]

[@NatBKyiv]

Hunter UT, Tranceminator, Victor1713 чего? 🙃

[@MichaelDowComposer]

NIce vid! He certainly influenced my sound and was a pleasure DJing with him a few times!

[@muzikxpress]

Thank you! And Mike is great, such a cool guy!

[@brianaragon1641]

Awesome interview !!!

[@VovaDatsenko]

Thank you for this interview!

[@muzikxpress]

Vova Datsenko thank you! I hope you enjoyed it!!

[@VovaDatsenko]

muzikxpress yes! You did a great job!

[@ElectronicazMusic]

What a nice fella! Great back story. Thank you for another fascinating video.

[@muzikxpress]

Electronicaz Music thanks a lot! I hope to do another interview with him once he’s back in Europe! 🤞🏻

[@efraim.]

Amazing interview

[@Th3OmegaPoint]

Absolute legend.

[@Y_MEmusic]

Forever one of the best trance produced

[@guillermopaez1611]

Gracias todos los grandes del trance son lo mejor de lo mejor la subida y la bajada los amoooo

[@rhythmrealmclubmixes3957]

Another great vlog! Nice work!

[@ianfrancis2179]

Yes man leave as is what a solid track that influences me into the world of Trance when it came out, now a techno head but I have a passion for your track along with ferry corsten air

[@70xr7Cougar]

Chill interview and Mike seems like a nice guy,keep making those tracks mike!

[@muzikxpress]

Mike is a great guy, super talented and very down to earth. And very productive, think we wil hear a lot from him this year!

[@oprearazvan72]

this tune will never Die

[@PhilExtery]

nice interview ...thanx

[@muzikxpress]

Phil Extery Thank you Phil!!

[@TheMISTERAMD]

Great interview!

[@muzikxpress]

Thank you very much!

[@rockinrich1499]

‘Proceed with visual attack formation’...brilliant video!!! MIKE is such a nice guy.

[@richardmcmullan1974]

My favourite Push tune & in my top ten tunes of all time!!

[@thedreamer3839]

true legend and 2nd biggest trance producer off all time !!

[@Bakhtak666]

1:26!!!!!!!!!! Amazing i always vibe w that but I didn’t know about it nice job mike

[@94trance29]

Great blog Twan!! ;-)