Last Thursday night during Sax's Ladies Night, DJ Midnight Mike was getting the party krunked up by mixing some soul and R&B cuts that are seriously old school, but are still heard today in the samples and loops of hip-hop songs. Some in the mostly mid-20s crowd recognize the samples, but most really didn't care. They just knew the vibe and the music was good, and that's what keeps them coming back every week. "The crowd knows I'm gonna keep everything smooth and just play some good music," DJ Midnight Mike told me that night.

I caught up with Midnight Mike a few days later.

WEEKLY VOLCANO: What got you into DJing?

DJ MIDNIGHT MIKE: I got into DJing in October of 1996.  I was a sophomore at Eastern Washington University on a track scholarship. I was not able to hold a regular job so I started to do frat and house parties.  My first event I DJ'd was on Halloween 1996.  My resident advisor Erica Gorsuch gave me my name and I have stuck with Midnight Mike ever since. 

VOLCANO: When did you get your first pair of decks?

MIKE: I bought my first set of turntables in June of 1999.  I have always owned Tech 12s. I love the control, response and durability of the decks.

VOLCANO: What are you spinning at SAX?

MIKE: Thursday nights are ladies night.  I spin a little of everything. My focus is to keep the people in the building happy. I play to my crowd. If the crowd is old school - that's what I play. For the most part though, I spin a lot of R&B, hip-hop and dance. I spin Thursday and Friday nights at Sax.  DJ Yoda and myself spin together on Friday nights. He is a fantastic DJ. We mesh really well together.

VOLCANO: Where will you spend Cinco de Mayo?

MIKE: This Wednesday night I will be doing a special event with Matador in downtown Tacoma.  We have a 20 by 40 foot tent that I will spin under all night starting at 5 p.m. There will be a full drink and taco bar outside with me as well.  

[Matador, Wednesday, May 5, 5 p.m., 721 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, 253.627.7100]

[Sax Restaurant & Lounge, 9 p.m. to close Thursday-Friday, 2309 Sixth Ave., Tacoma, 253.572.0588]