Your recent release on Nice Age features the killer track: Buffalo Trace. What for you is the enduring appeal of Acid House?

Acid house to me is just a simpler time. Less is more. The music was super basic but the vibes were next level. As far as the producer nerd in me, I love the raw energy of the 303. The 303 was basically intended to replace the bass player inside of a rock band- give him/her a break- it sounded way to unnatural and robotic though. This fact, in a nutshell, is why electronic music is what it is today.

Can you talk us through how you produced the track?

I can’t disclose all the nuts and bolts, but I will say that it was basically all analog 🙂 A bit of my Moog Voyager was involved too and some Roland TR8. Rest was really building on top of the tight groove of the opening 30 sec.

https://soundcloud.com/manik_nyc/manik-buffalo-trace-original-mix-nice-age

What’s the story behind your JJ01 edit of Janet Jackson’s ‘What Have You Done For Me Lately’ from 1986. Why did you choose that track in particular?

I am a huge Janet fan and wanted to play out the tracks in my sets. I’ve actually done 5. This is the 001. Only about 3 are intended to play out in a set- the other 2 are more for home listening. All released this summer for free.

https://soundcloud.com/xlr8r/janet-jackson-jj01-manik-summer-refix

How do you feel about the importance of new music in context of today’s re-edit culture?

I mean its all expanding the creative mind by lending your take on to the original. Bootleg and re edit culture has been around forever in dance music. I just bought a dope new Sade edit (yes like the 547th time that has happened) but it’s always fun. It is an important part of dance culture- turning jams into party jams- while you reel in the crowd on the fence.

You DJ all over the world. Do you find that Dance Music is a universal language?

Yes 100%. Music in general. It unites us all.

https://soundcloud.com/manik_nyc/manik-rinsefm-guestmix-for-shadow-child-may-20-2015?in=manik_nyc/sets/manik-recent-dj-mixes

You grew up in Queens NYC. What was it like there and how would you contrast it to living in LA now?

LA is a different kind of beast in itself. I will say that I think LA has turned into a real creative hub in the last 2 years. It’s affordable/artist friendly, and there are loads of cool spaces to rent to make music in without bothering a stuck up neighbor. Now is the time.

Can you tell us about your influences both within and outside of Dance Music?

I grew up on Hip Hop out in NYC, but I am a huge fan of the indie rock and chillwave scenes. Neon Indian, Toro Y Moi etc are some of my favorites. Actually also just saw Ratatat at Coachella that was awesome too. Anything that truly appreciates musicianship, yet still fun, and different, is a big plus. Basically any music that is non “Milk” music- doesn’t have an expiration date.

What are your plans for the remainder of 2015 and beyond?

I have some MANIK music coming later this year on Berlin’s own Bpitch- more techy stuff.. really dope. Also, another solo EP on Black Butter at some point. I got a track on a compilation by Waze & Odyssey too. Other than that, releasing more of the Janet Edits, and starting a new mix series via my Soundcloud. Working on a new Culture Fires EP too- that’s my Disco/Cosmic alias- while also wrapping a 4 track EP for a new project called 909 Til Infinity.

https://www.facebook.com/MANIKofficial

https://pro.beatport.com/chart/manik-june-jams-chart/352714