Michael Grandel

Success was the only option

Music has always been a critical form of expression for Michael Grandel. From listening to 2000s dance in his parents car as a kid, to professional Latin and Ballroom dancing, to the clubbing and rave era of his young adulthood, music has found its way of influence. 

Growing up as a child of Ukrainian immigrants, he was pushed to achieve the American dream for his family. Academics was the priority, but athletics was a close second. He found a passion for mathematics and a competitive drive from professional dancing and volleyball. Not “making it” was not an option.

Prologue: Discovery of Techno

His first taste of EDM started in high school, listening to Dubstep on his back home after practice. It continued to evolve to mainstream EDM, to house music in early college, and techno by graduation. Upon turning 18, he was foolishly excited to visit the clubs and dance to EDM and music of the 2000s. It turned out that most local venues did not play this kind of music; festivals were not even an option for a low-income student. Taking matters into his own hands, he decided to become a DJ so his 20s are not ruined.

After building DJ experience, he quickly built a desire to produce his own music, so he can better express his ideas and sound without relying on other's releases. The pandemic of 2020 became the catalyst for this. Univeristy became just classes; no volleyball, no clubbing, no friends, no dining hall. Just home back with his family in Coney Island, and classes. So, now there was time to learn music production. 

Completing his degree in computer engineering and building a career at Microsoft were the next steps in his journey, but it wasn't until EDC Vegas 2021 that his dream to become a festival DJ became serious. As he stepped into the tunnel of Neon Garden, the aura of the nightclub reigned, and the coolest shilloute was behind the DJ booth spinning the sickest beats he's ever heard. This was Nicole Moudaber, and this was techno. That is when his musical prologue ended, and the first chapter begins.

The Power of a Scientific Mind 

Throughout his entire life, Michael consistently became adept at multiple hobbies, somehow making the time for it all. This was enabled due to a very scientific way of thinking, learned by the nature of his upbringing. He began to appreciate a large piece of his identity as a scientist and saw the power if gave him in his music. His technical skills in DJing results in seamless transitions and he was often told by his collaborators that he has an immense technical knowledge in production. It allows him to create this art in a more creative way, expressing unique soundscapes without compromising groove and drive.