A young DJ and music professional on the rise known for making sexy parties even sexier: Mike Schreder!
Thotyssey: Hi Mike! How is September treating you so far?
Mike Schreder: September has been treating me well; I’ve actually been super busy juggling my day job and DJ gigs. It almost feels like that famous Gaga quote “bus, club, another club, another club, plane, next place, no sleep.” All that being said, I can’t complain because staying busy feels good.
What’s your day job like?
I’m a project / marketing manager for a music distribution company called Believe. I’m in charge of executing marketing strategy for a handful of our top artists in the U.S. market. The last two weeks I had an artist in the U.S. doing promo, so I was running around NYC and then LA.
Wow, so you are in the music world 24/7! Is it overwhelming to be involved in so many aspects of the industry at once?
It can be at times. I’ve definitely gone through phases where I feel burnt out, and honestly the industry overall can be mentally taxing. At the end of the day, I always come back to music. I don’t really see there ever being a way I’m not involved in the industry in some way.
What’s your favorite music to listen to and play in the booth?
It’s a combination of pop music or indie pop music. I was exposed to pop stars like Britney, Christina, Madonna, and the Spice Girls at an early age from my sisters. I think that really shaped my love for strong female pop stars. You’ll rarely find me listening to male pop stars.
Male pop stars of the last two decades have been mostly duds! Can you tell us where you’re originally from, and what sort of things you were originally into growing up?
I’m originally from a small town just north of Green Bay, WI called Sobieski. I grew up playing the piano. As I got older I got involved in a choir and band. I played the alto saxophone, and there’s definitely some terrible pictures in my marching band uniform that my friends find ways to bring out any chance they get. I dabbled in sports a bit like playing soccer and cross country skiing, but music seemed to be what I gravitated toward the most. I was lucky to have parents and teachers who supported me through all of it.
What were your DJ beginnings like?
I think what led me to DJ was my love for curating music. I’ve always been drawn to discovering new music and introducing my discoveries to new people. I ran my own music blog through college, which was primarily focused on indie music.
It wasn’t until after the pandemic that I really started exploring the house and techno scene in New York City. I had been to some parties before that, but I don’t think they were the right parties to really spark my interest. The party that I think really turned the switch on for me was a day party at 3 Dollar Bill in 2021 my friends brought me to that The Carry Nation was playing. It sent me down a rabbit hole of exploring this side of dance music I really hadn’t been exposed to that, and I instantly fell in love with it.
Over the years since then, some friends of mine started DJing; watching them do it made me interested in it. I loved the idea of curating the sound of the party, and having so much control of how you can make people feel. I also can be introverted, so having something to do at the party that doesn’t involve talking to people is always a plus. I invested in a basic DJ controller and kinda gave it a shot. I found that having music theory knowledge was extremely beneficial. My friend John Martins, who also DJs, was super helpful too. We’d go to Pirate Studios and he’d run me through some basics and give me some tricks to incorporate into my practicing.
My first “gig” was a house party in Fire Island Pines my share would throw every year called “Squirt.” It was a lot of fun. I remember being nervous as hell. It turned out being really great, although I wouldn’t say the sound I played at that gig is entirely representative of where I’m at now.
In addition to great music, you’re also known for DJing sexy events like JXXL’s “Come for Daddy” which just happened last weekend at Red Eye, as well as the monthly VERS underwear parties. Is being surrounded by attractive bodies engaging in “mature” behavior ever distracting while you’re trying to DJ?
Haha, it can be, but I actually think it energizes me behind the booth more than anything. I love playing music that has horny undertones. For those types of parties, my goal is to always curate the perfect soundtrack for a night of debauchery.
The next “Undies Party” at VERS is this Saturday! You and Kyle Hamilton will be alternating in the booth. This is a popular night, what makes it special in your opinion?
VERS Undies has really grown so much over the last year. Even in the summer when people are off on vacation or in the Pines, it’s always busy. It’s a party you can let your inhibitions go, dance to some great music, and find some good trouble if that’s where your night takes you. Playing the party with Kyle has also been such a treat. We’ve both grown so much over the last year and I think our sound and style perfectly compliment each other. Sonically the party gives you a taste of everything. You’ll get some house, a little techno, some pop anthems scattered throughout… but all seamlessly fitting together.
What else is coming up for you?
At the moment I don’t have too much coming up after “VERS Undies” this Saturday. Real life kind of took over and I have some personal trips and a wedding to attend. But I’ll be back again at VERS in October for their annual Halloween edition of “VERS Undies” on the 31st. I’ll also be back at C’mon Everybody for “Pork Butt” on November 8th, where I’ll be playing all night long.
Wonderful! Okay lastly: requests for the DJ! Yay, Meh, or Get Da Fuq Out!?
Get Da Fuq Out! Stop distracting me and let me do my job, haha!
Thanks, Mike!
Check Thotyssey’s calendar for Mike Schreder’s upcoming appearances, and follow him on Instagram, BluSky, LinkTree and SoundCloud.
Thotyssey 