INTERVIEW: Mitch Oliver
Oh sure, Mitch Oliver has over 2 million Spotify streams, and of course, his melodic house has been released on prestigious labels such as Glasgow Underground, Kindisch, and TrybesOf. People constantly stop me on the street to talk about his blend of subtle, sophisticated sounds with impactful grooves, which Mitch has played at iconic events like Burning Man and SXM Festival, as well as key clubs across Europe, North, and South America. But all that is small change when you consider the DJ has made history by playing a groundbreaking set aboard a hot air balloon. Have you made history lately? No…? Yeah, that’s what I thought. Mitch Oliver has just released his bold new single Out Of Space via Get Physical. We had the opportunity to chat with Mitch about inspiration, creativity, and cat videos. Let’s dive in!
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Can you tell us where you are in the world? What does your daily life look like over there?
I'm currently living in Montreal, Canada—my hometown and a city I truly adore.
What I love most about Montreal is its vibrant culture and the distinctiveness of all four seasons, which brings a dynamic change of scenery throughout the year. It's a perfect mix of urban buzz and natural tranquility.
My daily routine involves a lot of time outdoors; I often go jogging along the canal and commute by bike every day. My music studio is just a 10-minute ride from my place, which is super convenient. Weekends are usually spent in nature, either up in the mountains or by a lake, soaking in the peaceful surroundings.
You’re promoting your latest release ‘Out Of Space'. What does it represent for you at this point in your life?
Releasing my first single Out Of Space on Get Physical is a milestone I'm incredibly proud of. This label has been a huge inspiration to me over the years, so joining their roster feels like a dream come true.
The track holds a special place in my heart because it reflects the modern struggle of always needing to be 'available.' It’s about the constant pressure that leaves us feeling like we’re running “Out of Time” and “Out of Space” in our minds.
This song is my take on the need to slow down and reconnect with our creative selves, which is crucial in a world that hardly lets us catch a breath. My personal remedy for this chaos is to run. It clears my mind and helps me reset.
Creating this track was both a challenge and a joy, as it allowed me to channel these feelings into something tangible and, hopefully, relatable.
When you work on new music, do you have a ritual or a routine? Tell us about your creative process and how it factors into your life.
My creative process involves immersing myself in an environment free from distractions—I turn off my phone, social media, and email. Mornings are ideal for me as my mind is freshest then, without the clutter of daily interruptions.
I also find inspiration after playing gigs or attending festivals, where witnessing other DJs' performances ignites my creative energy. It’s crucial for me to have ample uninterrupted time to let the creativity flow, especially when I feel the momentum building.
Can you talk to us about your studio?
My studio setup is pretty straightforward since I create mostly “in the box”, but what it lacks in flair, it makes up for in sound quality. I've invested in top-notch studio monitors because having reliable sound is crucial for me, especially during mixdowns—I'm a bit of a perfectionist there.
The acoustics in my studio are excellent, which really helps me trust what I hear and refine my tracks to perfection.
What advice would you give yourself if you were starting today? (Or what advice would give to a young musician starting today?)
It might sound cliché, but the best advice I could give—and I wish I had followed this from the start—is to trust your creativity.
Don’t let the technical aspects discourage you. As music producers, we're always learning, and often, the most genuine and raw art comes at the beginning of a project, when we're not overly critical or harsh on ourselves.
Remember, the goal is to translate emotions into music, so don't let anything detract from that focus.
What’s the first significant piece of gear you owned?
The first significant piece of gear I owned was a pair of Adam Audio AX7 studio monitors, which I bought after finishing music school in 2018.
They were my first high-quality monitors, and I've used them extensively for the first three to four years of my music career. Today, they're part of my DJ setup, serving as a reminder of my professional beginnings and my journey in music.
What would be your desert island plugin or digital tool?
Honestly, I believe you can make amazing music just using Ableton Live’s instruments and suite—VSTs are a bonus, but they don’t make or break a track.
That said, DIVA is probably the one I use the most because I’ve gotten so comfortable with it over time. But, if I were stuck on a desert island, I’d probably choose a studio partner over any plugin.
Having a second set of ears and the chance to collaborate can be more valuable than any VST.
What was the last track by another artist you were obsessed with?
The last track I was obsessed with is La Solassitude by Stromae. His entire album is a masterpiece, but this song really hit home for me. I first encountered it when I saw him live on tour two years ago, and his performance blew me away.
The lyrics, especially in La Solassitude, resonate deeply with where I am in life and my perspective on relationships. In many ways, this album became both therapy and inspiration for me.
What meme or video makes you laugh the most?
Honestly, who doesn’t love cat videos? They crack me up every single time. And funny enough, I don’t think I know a single electronic music producer who doesn’t have a cat—it’s like an unspoken rule!
What do you have coming up in the next few months?
I’ve got an exciting run of shows coming up, all debut performances for me!
I’ll be playing in Houston, Texas; Medellin, Colombia; and San Jose, Costa Rica for the first time. After that, I’ll be back home for a few gigs at Stereo Bar and with the Keep it Deep crew.
Then it's off to ADE, where I’m stoked to play two shows and reconnect with artists from all over the world.
On the production side, I’ve been working on a lot of new music over the past few months and will continue refining those projects. I’m also putting more time into my label, SLAPPED, with a remix pack featuring some of my favorite artists in the works.
To wrap up the year, I’ll be heading to Argentina for a quick tour just before the holidays.
Disclosure: This blog contains affiliate links, which means Internet Tattoo may receive a commission if you purchase through these links at no additional cost to you.