There’s a certain kind of storytelling that doesn’t rely on words. It lives in textures, in chords, in the spaces between drums. For Mike Nasty, that language has been shaped over more than a decade and a half behind the decks, in the studio, and at the center of dancefloors across the world. His sound moves fluidly between house, R&B, and hip-hop, always grounded in feeling, always rooted in experience.
Photo credit: Mike Nasty – Official
In this edition of Chapters in Sound, Mike turns inward, tracing the moments, memories, and influences that have defined his catalog. From childhood nostalgia and family conversations to deep-rooted inspirations and studio breakthroughs, each track becomes a timestamp, a reflection of where he was and what he was chasing at the time.
Arriving alongside his latest singles, ‘To Life’ and its Soul Mix, two sides of the same philosophy balancing movement and emotion, this feature captures an artist not just in motion, but in reflection. What emerges is a personal map of sound, where every record carries a story, and every story brings us closer to the pulse behind the music.
‘Brandy Rhodes’
American R&B singer Brandy and her 90s sitcom ‘Moesha’ were the inspiration for this song. Every episode has a scene toward the end where Brandy reflects on her day by writing in her diary. This scene has a smooth 90s R&B instrumental that would play on repeat in my head as a young child. Fast forward to 2022, I’m in the studio playing chords with a Rhodes piano sound, and that childhood feeling hits me, sparking a nostalgic vibe for ‘Brandy Rhodes’. Who would’ve thought a distant memory could develop into a deep house groove? The synergy between R&B and house is unmatched.
‘History’
Oddly enough, the origin of this song came from a phone call with my uncle. He’s the man talking on the track. My uncle called me asking if I had ever heard of an old funk/rap artist named Blowfly, who wrote and produced for artists such as Betty Wright, KC & The Sunshine Band, and Gwen McRae. I had never heard of him, but I was intrigued to learn more. My uncle is in his 60s, so I’m always keen to hear his taste, especially since he was born and raised in Chicago. I decided to record our entire conversation. My uncle curses a lot, so I could only include parts of it in the song. My family still laughs about this track to this day. My uncle is somewhat of a celebrity in the family now.
‘Fingers Underground’
The title of this song says it all. I was heavily inspired by two legendary producers, Mr. Fingers, aka Larry Heard, and Glenn Underground. I knew this would be a deeper house track as soon as I stepped into the studio. I laid a Roland drum machine foundation for the percussion, and the rest followed naturally. This track sits in my personal top three. Everything aligned with this one.
‘Gimme the Rhythm’
This track pushed my limits when it came to jazz arrangements. ‘Gimme the Rhythm’ may sound like one large horn section, but it’s actually two different horn arrangements from two separate bands, combined into one. One of my proudest moments. It’s chaotic in the best way, and I love it. This is one of the most exciting records I’ve had the pleasure of making. I have to thank each and every musician involved for bringing it to life. Louie Vega was a key inspiration in pushing me to explore working with horn sections.
‘Can You Feel It (Zapp)’
I usually hint at the inspiration behind each track in its title. Zapp and Roger Troutman were a huge part of my musical upbringing. The talk box was a staple in funk and R&B, and those genres have deeply influenced the chord structures in my music. I don’t think I’ve heard many house tracks use talk box vocals, so I wanted to explore that space and create something of my own. I would describe this song as a beautiful body of work that asks one simple question… can you feel it?
What ties these chapters together isn’t just sound. It’s intention. Whether driven by memory, experimentation, or pure feeling, Mike Nasty’s music consistently returns to one central idea: connection. To the dancefloor, to the past, to the people around us, and to ourselves.
That same ethos runs through ‘To Life’ and its Soul Mix, two records that extend beyond function, offering both release and reflection in equal measure. One leans into movement, the other into emotion, but both arrive at the same destination: presence.
As Mike continues to evolve, these records, old and new, stand not as isolated moments, but as part of a living, breathing continuum. Chapters that don’t just define where he’s been, but hint at where he’s going next.
Mike Nasty’s ‘To Life’ is out now on Nasty Tracks. Stream and download here.
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