INTRODUCING: MICHAEL BORTH - A Q&A

11 minutes ago

4 min read

Michael Borth is a new name hitting the dance floor this year, but something about his sound feels familiar. Borth has a deep-seated passion for the timeless sounds of the 80s. This comes through in a nu-disco groove with a flair that completely modernises his music.

His cocktail of immersive sounds explores a palette of emotions through melodic house, techno, and Afro house, which defines his musical ambience. This, along with a cinematic feel, drives his highly emotive sound and makes him a musical visionary. The EP ‘Give It Back’ reflects on a sonic journey of change, contemplation and renewal. It inhabits that deeply personal space between endings and new beginnings; an emotionally charged story of uncertainty, reflection and anticipation as one page ends and another begins.

From the first beat, this track gets you up and moving. Bursting with colour, energy, and feel-good spirit, it sounds tailor-made for the dance floor, with a sunshine-kissed melody that brings instant warmth and optimism. The production is top-notch throughout, giving every element plenty of room to shine while maintaining a wonderfully infectious groove. There’s a real sense of musicianship here too, with the playing adding depth, character and a natural musicality that elevates the whole track. It’s bright, polished and effortlessly uplifting - the kind of tune that puts a smile on your face and makes standing still almost impossible.

So let's get to know Michael Borth:

Tell us a bit about yourself

“I’m Michael Borth, a Los Angeles-based DJ and producer creating cinematic electronic music centered around emotion, atmosphere, and storytelling. I’m particularly interested in building a world around my music, where the visual identity, sound, and concepts all feel connected. My project is currently evolving toward a more accessible, melodic, but also groovy sound while still keeping the cinematic qualities that define it.”

How did you get into music?

“I started DJing and producing relatively recently, about two years ago. What initially drew me in was the ability to create an entire world from scratch with music. I became fascinated with production very quickly and ended up immersing myself in it, learning everything from sound design and arrangement to mixing and songwriting. Over time, it became much more than just making tracks - I started thinking about what kind of artist and world I wanted to build around the music.”

“While this was when I actually became an artist, I've had a longing to make music, or to be somehow involved in it, since I was a kid. I was greatly inspired by the radio in Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, which introduced me to the 80s classics, and my music taste has taken it from there. Throughout the years, I've listened to all sorts of music - whether that be rock and pop classics, house, or disco-funk grooves. I've started playing guitar, but I didn't know at the time that I would truly find my calling and happiness not only in contributing a small part to a song but rather in writing the entire arrangements and then playing them in DJ sets/mixes, knowing that it is my original work. That is why I became a DJ and producer.”

Give us three words to describe your sound

‘Cinematic. Emotional. Melodic.’

“I think those three words capture the core of what I'm trying to achieve, even when I move between different electronic influences.”

Can you tell us a bit about the creative process behind your music?

“I usually start with an emotion, atmosphere, or idea rather than trying to make something that fits a specific formula. I’m very focused on melody and arrangement, and I like tracks to feel as though they’re taking the listener somewhere. With vocal records, the songwriting and the emotional meaning of the vocal become especially important. I also spend a lot of time thinking about the visual world surrounding a track, because I want the music and imagery to feel like parts of the same story.”

Can you tell us a bit about Give It Back?

"Give It Back" is my debut EP and the first major chapter of the "Afterlight" world I'm building. The EP is structured as a journey from sunset to sunrise, with each track representing a different point along that journey. I deliberately allowed the songs to explore different sides of my sound, from Afro and melodic house to melodic techno and nu-disco, because I wanted the first EP to establish my range while introducing the atmosphere and storytelling behind the project.”

Your music has such an infectious energy - I wanted to get up and dance from the very first note! What emotions do you hope to spark in listeners when they hear your music?

“I want people to feel something before they even have to think about it. Depending on the track, that could be euphoria, nostalgia, freedom, desire, or a sense of escape. Ultimately, I want the music to make people feel like they've entered a different world for a few minutes - something they can dance to, but also connect with emotionally.”

What’s next?

“I'm continuing to develop the sound I introduced with "Give It Back," but I'm narrowing the direction down and making it more accessible and focused on melodic motifs with Afro/organic rhythms. I'm becoming increasingly interested in stronger vocals, songwriting, and records that can connect with audiences beyond the traditional dance-music space, while keeping the cinematic identity at the center. I'm also working toward bringing the Afterlight world further to life visually and developing myself as a DJ so I can eventually take the project onto the stage.”

Lastly, who are you listening to at the moment?

“At the moment, I'm listening to a lot of Anyma, RÜFÜS DU SOL, Keinemusik, and The Weeknd. I'm also a long-time Red Hot Chili Peppers and Arctic Monkeys fan (as well as many others from the rock scene), and I try to get some ideas for my music from them. I'm particularly interested in artists who create a strong emotional and visual identity around their music rather than being defined by genre alone.”