A DJ and producer known for co-running the Medusa brand party and record label as well as for incorporating operatic live vocals into original compositions, Michael Cignarale brings Sensible Shoes back to Brooklyn this week and prepares for Pride!
Thotyssey: Michael, hello! thanks for chatting with us today! How is May treating you so far?
Michael Cignarale: Hey, how are you? May’s been great; I got to do a Paris debut at Menergy, and have been in Munich for the month. I’m headed back to Brooklyn on Tuesday.
Amazing! Are European venues and crowds much different than in America, as far as what’s being played and how people are responding to it?
Somewhat. New York is more house driven then Germany, for example. But so far, every dancefloor I’ve played has really appreciated the attitude I’m bringing.
What’s your DJ sound like?
Its really gay! And I’m always trying to channel my inner femininity and fierceness.
Where are you from originally, and what sort of music do you grow up with?
I grew up in Baltimore and Miami as a kid, and I’ve always been into dance music. I found the invite for my 4th grade birthday–it was called “Michael’s Disco 2000.” How foreshadowing of my future choices to be in nightlife!
You divinely vocalize over some of your tracks, both in the studio and live in the DJ booth! What prompted that creative decision?
The live vocals began when my bff Sam TBD and I were playing b2b. He was playing an instrumental, handed me the mic and told me to sing something. We had so much fun that we started finding tracks to cover. The one that really stuck was the vocal version of “Strings of Life” aka “Stronger On My Own.” It became a real moment for our party we did together, Medusa. A couple years later, we worked on writing and producing original songs, from those live mic sessions from DJ sets. The vocals are pretty sex drenched; but also big belting diva moments… while always being a little 80s. I usually like to combine the vocal styles of a house legend with an 80s male vocalist; think Holly Johnson, George Michael.
What can you tell us about Medusa?
Medusa is a party and record label I started with Sam TBD in Shanghai in 2016. It’s a massive queer party that I’m very proud of; it set the stage for a whole house sound in China! The party has been on a bit of a hiatus since 2024, but the record label is still going strong. We have a few upcoming releases this summer, and launched “She Thinks She’s Fierce!”
On Thursday your party Sensible Shoe returns to C’mon Everybody… what are the vibes, and how did it come to be?
C’mon Everybody approached me to do a party… and while they were asking me for a party name, I saw a drawing my friend Lauri had left me (she does the art with me for the party) and it said “Everybody Needs a Sensible Shoe” on a drawing of the least sensible shoe possible. It was really funny. So I approached my friend Mark Holcomb if he wanted to make this our b2b night and see where it goes! It’s been really fun.
Then on Friday, June 5th you’ll be part of a great lineup spinning at Basement!
Def exciting to play Basement; you’re always going to get amazing energy all night! Plus I’m playing with J.Aria and Analog Soul, so it’s going to be fun.
Your Pride Week gigs begin on Thursday, June 25th when you’ll be at a club called Eden for Ultramaroon! Do you treat your Pride Week sets much different than what you do the rest of the year?
Yes, Pride’s just like Christmas–it has some key songs required to celebrate the season properly. I’ve already started working on my edits!
Which brings us to Pride Friday at Good Room’s Bad Room with the good people of XOXA! That’s gonna be another banger!
Totally! And I really love everyone in the lineup, and I love playing the Bad Room.
What else is coming up for you?
I have a few gigs around the US, and I’ll be playing Nest in Berlin for CSD. I’m also playing Chattanooga Pride–that sounds so fun, and off the beaten path.
And finally…. what’s your best advice for a newbie DJ who wants to “make it big” in NYC?
Go to everything, be a good guest, and support your friends as much as you can by showing up. It really matters.
Thanks, Michael!
Check Thotyssey’s calendar for Michael Cignarale’s upcoming area appearances, and follow him on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, LinkTree and SoundCloud.
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