Michael Badal

Michael Badal ‘Without You’ is the brand new release on Jigsaw Recordings, a summer-ready anthem for your next holiday.

Emotional melodies, an uplifting vocal and incredible percussions are the key elements of the brand new Michael Badal’s masterpiece. Without You is almost completely made by analog synthesizers that create this emotional, intimate and warm feeling. On top of that, the stunning vocal completes the incredible frame with a soothing and hypnotizing beat. The soft kick and snare loop give depth to the record bringing Without You to another level.

Michael Badal first saw success in dance music in 2007 when he was discovered by Tiësto at the age of 17. Tiesto’s support of “Colours” on tour and on the radio set Michael as a serious contender early in his career. In his rookie year, Michael was able to remix Grammy-nominated producers Above & Beyond, Andy Moor, Timbaland, and more. In 2015, Michael released his debut artist album, “Now That We’re Human” on the label Tiesto co-founded, which spawned his first headlining USA tour. Over the years, Michael has had the opportunity to play across the country at festivals and clubs including EDC Las Vegas and Kaskade’s Sun Soaked festival.

Fast forward to 2019, Michael has been in the studio with his highest output in years. Having recently remixed Kaskade and completing a 5-track EP, there is plenty of music to be heard and shared in the coming months.

Released at the beginning of this month, Michael Badal Without You is now available worldwide. - The Groove Cartel

Another example of an authentic DJ experience was The Discovery Project with unsigned producers. My San Diego pals I met at Burning Man showed up and introduced me to Discovery Project winner Michael Badal. I checked out his set at the Discovery Stage and was highly impressed with his enthusiasm. So much pride and appreciation went into that set. He threw down hard and was grinning from ear to ear. A true example of being IN-SPIRIT hands down goes to Michael. A well deserved winner to take the stage for what I believe was the best part of the EDC Experience. A fantastic way to give back to the movers and shakers of the scene. - Warrior Of Sound

Superstar DJs under the age of 21 seem completely normal today, but back when Michael Badal broke onto the scene in the late 2000s it was a rare occurrence. Times have definitely changed and after many years, the young LA producer has finally released his first full-length studio record on Black Hole Recordings. Now That We’re Human features influences from all across the electronic music spectrum and while we may have visited all its destinations previously, it’s a journey that includes some fantastic moments.

If you listen to Now That We’re Human and expect a compilation of club bangers and sub heavy festival jams, you’re approaching it the wrong way. Instead, Badal has given us an album of crisp, professionally crafted electronica that draws heavily from classic progressive trance and catchy house beats. Highlights include the smooth, soulful Closer, the dramatic yet brightening, Recapture, and the climactic, soundscape of Inner Sanctum, which is just one of the few non 4×4 tracks that Now That We’re Human relies on to give it it’s identity.

Badal also recruited a slew of singers including Ellie Lawson, Sue McLaron, Jan Johnson, Shanookee and more, and while everyone shows up, its hard to tell most of them apart, which begs to question if that many different names were necessary for this release. While the music is quite on point, the one-dimensional vocals oftentimes detract from many of the dancier tunes but tend to shine more on the downtempo entries like The Room featuring Zoe Sky Jordan, or Ellie Lawson in the wonderfully catchy Closer.

As a listening experience, Now That We’re Human has the ability to entice and inspire like the best of them. The valleys are present, but the peaks are very high which is why Badal is here to stay and will continue to improve as time goes on. His eclectic taste is invaluable and it definitely shows here. - EDM Sauce

Michael Badal returns with Shanokee for the rhapsodic vocal track entitled ‘Blue Skies’, soon to be unwrapped on the 22nd of December 2014. This beautiful single is the first instalment of a handful of singles ensuing from the forthcoming album ‘Now That We’re Human’, released by the illustrious Black Hole Recordings label in April 2015.

After speaking to Michael recently in an exclusive live interview, this is what he had to say about the upcoming album:

“It took me five years to fully complete the album from start to finish. From the first note played to the last track mastered. I had the pleasure of collaborating with some of my all-time favourite songwriters including Plumb, Jan Johnston, Tiff Lacey, Ellie Lawson, Sue McLaren, Shanokee, Lotte Kestner, as well as new faces like Kelly Sweet and Zoe Sky Jordan. It’s very much a songwriter’s album and I’m so proud of it.

During the making of the album, I really got to hone in on my vocal production skills which included the mix. Both Matt Lange and Kerry Leva kind of held my hand through much of that process until I was able to stand on my own. But on the deeper side of it, making the album really helped me get out of that mindset of pleasing someone else with my work and primarily focus on pleasing myself.”

The first single could not come at a better time, especially as the winter months descend upon us. ‘Blue Skies‘ gives us a sweet taster of the summer months with invigorating synths, that lend an endearing hand to the emotionally bound vocals and engrossing grooves.

Michael completes this bonny package, with a remix from Joe Garrett known to most as Temple One. The ambition is clear from the first few notes, to deliver a club floor banger, and he most certainly does. Temple One commandeers the best of the components from the original, assembles a prosperous layered depth, tweaks the pace little by little, and embellishes the emotion which helps to make the vocal sparkle, clutch, and sooth the listener.

‘Blue Skies’ has already gathered heavy support from both Paul Van Dyk and Armin Van Buuren, and will undoubtedly accumulate a lot more over the coming months. Why? ‘Blue Skies’ capitulates everything you want from a progressive trance vocal, a feel-good mood, seizing vocals, and enough incentive to embrace the dance floor with devotion. A great ear-filling tune that sets the tone of things to come.

As stated by Michael: “You should also expect to hear my collaborations with Ellie Lawson in February 2015, and Kelly Sweet the month after that. So, you’ll be hit with much of the new material in the coming weeks.” - Trance Fixxed

Los Angeles based DJ and producer Michael Badal recently sat down with The Nocturnal Times to discuss his early dance music start and his earliest inspirations. Badal was signed by the iconic DJ/producer Tiësto at a young age and has persisted musically ever since.

Releasing his debut album “Now That We’re Human” through Black Hole Recordings, the full-length studio LP consists of 12 tracks, which were written and produced by Michael. Classified as a trance and progressive house DJ and producer, Badal discusses his musical diversity and capabilities, future collaborations, and where he sees himself five years from now in this Nocturnal Times exclusive.

The Nocturnal Times: What first inspired you to begin exploring dance music? Who were some of your first influences?
Michael Badal: I was blessed to find dance music at the very early age of 6 years old. The first trance song I ever heard was Robert Miles’s “Children” back in 1995. Ever since, I really started diving into the works of ATB, Paul Van Dyk, as well as the Chicago House coming out at the time.

TNT: Tiësto signed you at 17 years old. What do you recall about being signed by such a musical icon at such a young age?
Badal: I had idolized Tiesto for years before getting signed to him. The first time I heard he was supporting my music was while receiving a phone call that my demo CDs had been finished printing. I was shocked and ecstatic all at the same time. Ever since, Black Hole really became a supportive group of people around me and I’m grateful for it. It’s name to know I can still feel like that even after nine years.

TNT: You will release your album “Now That We’re Human” on Black Hole Recordings on April 27. What made you decide to release a full-length studio album rather than a bunch of EPs?
Badal: I grew up on albums and it’s always been a dream of mine to complete and release an album. This seemed like a right time as I felt that I had something more to offer than just a string of dance floor bangers. When you listen to the record, I hope that message reads through.

TNT: “Now That We’re Human” is a four-year project in the making. What can you share with The Nocturnal Times about some of your experiences creating the album over the four years?
Badal: The beautiful thing about working on the record is that the entire process was extremely personal, which was rewarding because I knew that I was making music for me and not worrying about the avenues as to which it would be marketed. It’s a very different experience than working on club singles and it’s something every passionate artist should experience.

TNT: You’ve worked alongside a number of vocalists on the album. What comes to mind when you recollect studio sessions or collaborating with these artists?
Badal: They were all a dream to work with both during the process and the fact that with many of them, it was a dream come true to work with them. I grew up on the music of Jan Johnston, Shanokee, Tiff Lacey and had been a huge fan of Plumb and I was so blessed to have been able to work with them. I had wanted to make a follow up to “Don’t Be Afraid” with Tiff for a while and I’m happy we finally had a chance to complete it.

TNT: Which vocalists do you hope to work with in the future? Which DJs/producers do you hope to collaborate with in the future?
Badal: I am currently working on Richard Bedford’s album and hope I can bring him on for my second. I’m also in the process of finishing a collaboration with Boom Jinx and have been testing it out on tour. I’ll definitely be working again with many of the vocalists on this first album as well as with my good friends, JES and Shamina. There’s lots of work to be done so don’t expect me to slow down any time soon.

TNT: Given the opportunity to play a back-to-back set with any DJ, who would you choose and why?
Badal: This may be a bit left field, but I would absolutely LOVE to do a back-to-back set with Bad Boy Bill as well as Eric Prydz. The both of them have had such a massive impact on both my DJing as well as my productions.

TNT: Can you share any news about upcoming gigs, releases, remixes, or collaborations to come from Michael Badal throughout the remainder of the year?
Badal: As I mentioned before, you should expect collaborations between myself and Richard Bedford as well as Boom Jinx and I’ll also be visiting Austin, Fresno, Los Angeles, and Chicago very soon. It’s going to be a very good year (as if it hasn’t been an amazing one so far).

TNT: Where do you see Michael Badal five years from now?
Badal: I’ll still be making music, hopefully be almost done with a third album, and hopefully still remaining on fire for the music as I have been since I was 6 years old. - The Nocturnal Times

Los Angeles, CA – Michael Badal pulled up to DJ Club Silk Nightclub in Sacramento with his essential spinning equipment – USB sticks, headphones, and ear plugs. At only seventeen years old, the Assyrian Los Angeles native had just driven nearly six hours to spin at the venue.

This was a routine weekend for Badal. While selling cell phones at Best Buy and attending film classes at CSUN in the daytime, he was hustling at night and on the weekends to produce music, successfully tour with world-renowned DJ’s such as Tiesto, and even start his own music label.

“I saved up everything and started DJing when I was eleven years old,” Badal said, who became interested in DJing in 1998 when he saw his cousin spinning at a party.

After nine years of saving money for equipment and finding events to play, he signed with Baroque Records in early 2007.

“The first record did well and stirred my name in the pot,” he said. “Then my cousin Zya said that we should start our own label and asked why we are giving it out to other people. I thought it was a great idea, but having never ran a label, I had no idea what marketing was or sending out promos.”

And even as one of the most successful Assyrian dance music artists in the world, Badal’s parents had no idea just how popular their son was becoming.

It wasn’t until 2010, when at 23 years old and about to be nominated for his first Grammy, his mother googled him and found out her son was a popular DJ in the EDM (electronic dance music) community.

BADAL’S BIG BREAK

Badal and his cousin Zya opened Jigsaw Recordings in August 2007. Only a month later, his record “Colours” was playing on Tiesto’s Club Life radio station.

“We never actually sent the music out to Tiesto,” Badal said. “I got a call from his people and they said, ‘We want to sign you, we want you to make music with us, we want you to play with Tiesto.”

That call changed Badal’s career almost immediately.

“We weren’t just messing around anymore,” he said.

Soon after, the rising DJ began touring the nation with Tiesto and developing his own label. From 2007 to 2009, he built Jigsaw Recordings to be a major competitor, signing deadmau5, Myon, Shane 54, Matt Cerf, and Maarten Hercules among other big artists. Major music publications were praising the label as “developing rapidly and gaining a reputation not to be underestimated.”

But with so much attention placed on signing new artists, Badal and Zya weren’t finding time to produce their own music.

“I was focusing so much of my attention on other people’s careers and promoting my artists that I didn’t focus on myself,” he said.

The pair decided to put the label on hiatus at the end of 2009.

“It was a blessing in disguise because after the label went on hiatus, I stopped worrying about other people,” Badal said. “I started diving into my own career. It benefitted me.”

Not long after putting the label on hiatus, Badal was invited to join the Recording Academy as a voting member in 2010. That same year, he ended up on the ballet for two of his tracks and was very much starstruck at his first Grammy event, recalling, “I ran into Lady Gaga, I almost knocked her out. And I flat tired Kathy Griffin and she almost fell. I was a klutz.”

After his first nervous display on the red carpet, Badal has since been on the Grammy ballot ten times and has been invited back five of the last seven years.

In 2011, Badal and DJ Zya relaunched their label exclusively to distribute their own music. It was then that he ran into popular Persian singer Andy at a cousin’s wedding.

Badal had always been a big fan of Andy’s music, so it was natural that at his cousin’s wedding, he began talking to Andy about a remix he had done that same year. The artists started following each other on social media and eventually began talking about collaborating.

Their single, “Donya,” is set to release early this year.

In August 2016, Badal realized he was not making the music he wanted to make. Up until that point, he was working almost exclusively on EDM music. A documentary called Daft Punk Unchained encouraged him to pursue music he wanted to make, so he pivoted to pop music, classical film scores and soundtrack music.

His process of creating music also changed, switching from an underground beat programmed around the drums to becoming a songwriter’s composer. Now his most important tool for creating new songs – voice memos he records on his phone.

“I’ve got a million voice memos in my phone of me humming atrociously,” he joked. “Then when I get to my studio, I play it and try to figure out what I was singing in my head. They all have weird titles too, like ‘film score idea’ or ‘deep soundtrack.'”

ASSISTING THE ASSYRIAN COMMUNITY

Badal was initially hesitant to promote his artistic skills within the Assyrian community.

“I didn’t see artistic excellence pushed in our culture here in America,” Badal said. “Our Assyrian culture has such a rich history of art. Some of our artifacts are beautifully carved reliefs, and then we just discarded art as this thing that would never feed you.”

It wasn’t until he started seeing artwork from young Assyrians including KSRA, Dan David, Dennis Joseph, Shamina Khangaldy, and Sargon Saadi that he started connecting his work with the Assyrian community.

“We need to get Assyrian artists out there,” Badal said. “We need more people in the arts. We’ve got to get rid of this stigma that the arts are worthless.”

Within the last five years, Badal has played EDC Las Vegas twice, has songs playing on major radio stations including Sirius XM, had a composition in the running for a Golden Globe ad, and has been on the Grammy ballot 12 times.

After years of hustling on nights and weekends to make a living, Badal now feels content being able to support himself doing what he loves to do.

“One of the major milestones I’ve hit, which has been a blessing, is being able to create music 100% for a living,” he said. “I wake up for work and drive to my studio and make music all day.”

His second full-length album and first classical album “Seasons” will be released on January 26. The album features 12 thematic songs written over the past two years. Look out for a limited edition vinyl pressing of the album, available for pre-order. All proceeds from the pre-order will be donated to the 501c3 organizations F*ck Cancer as well as the Etuti Institute. - The Assyrian Journal