What style of music do you spin?
I am fond of a lot of different music, and I'll spin as much of it any
chance I get (my iPod is getting quite full with my eclectic taste). I
love playing small friendly joints where one can throw on some Joy
Division or Human League, 80s disco, or even some abstract grooves.
Mostly right now I play house with a splash of NuWave when people want to shake boot.

Where are you from?
I was born and raised in Hawaii. I moved to Bloomington, Indiana to
study music after high school, which gave me easy access to the Acid
House/Detroit Techno/Industrial scene in Chicago only a few hours away. It took me no time at all to make my way there when I was done with school. And that is when I got the bug to start DJing.

How long have you been a DJ?
I began at the radio station in '89, so that would make it....let's
see....15 years!

How many records do you own?
I've been trying to maintain a stasis, selling some, buying some. So
it grows and shrinks at various times. But I would have to take a
guess at around 5000. I think that's reasonable (as long as I don't
need to carry them up too many flights of stairs!).

Do you prefer indoor or outdoor parties, and why?
I love being outdoors. It is a little disconcerting though what
happens to the terrain after a party. It really beats up nature. I'm
all for a nice club with a nice sound system, and being outdoors on a
warm evening or afternoon can't be beat. But nothing can top being
with friends. So it could be a party in someone's kitchen and it would
be a blast!

On what label have you released music on?
I've done things mostly with friends on their labels, like Dirty Loop,
3 to 5, Siesta, We Are One, Anonymous, Igloo, and my latest release
will be out on Aroma.

Do you support the new alternative to vinyl, such as Final Scratch or CDs?
I am doing an experiment with Final Scratch. It's great to just carry
around a small bag of vinyl and a laptop. It makes traveling so much
easier. I won't say it's perfect, but it is fun.

Do you see illegal music downloading as a threat to the music industry, if so, how?
The music industry is always changing. I'm not sure what will happen.
But I do feel it is getting people back to grass roots, bringing it
back to basics on a smaller and more personal level. Maybe it will
bring the music back into the artist's hands instead of in large
corporations. Who knows?

Do you have a regular spot you play at?
I have a monthly residency at the Smartbar in Chicago.

When can we see some more of your vinyl out?
Currently there is the Anonymous release, the 'Concrete Pop EP', and
soon a lil’ boot on Igloo as well as my latest opus, 'Things Are
Things'/'Your Business' on the Belgian label, Aroma. I'm also working
on a mix CD featuring the new house music coming out of Chicago which will culminate in a Europe/US/Asia tour this Spring/Summer. Visit: www.milesmaeda.com for more info.