by JACK OATMON

After the conspicuous success of some of his original tracks and remixes, along with the unleashing of his fierce debut album, Destroy Rock & Roll, Myles MacInnes, aka Mylo, a Scottish producer/DJ/musician currently based out of Glasgow, spent two whirlwind years on the party scene with his band, to the tune of fantastic reviews and ample play in all corners. Even if you don’t recognize the name, you’ve more than likely already heard his thoughtful grooves and catchy basslines. “Drop the Pressure,” and its various disco remixes, assisted by Miami Sound Machine, on the EP Doctor Pressure, have become club staples. The album’s polemically named title track might also ring a bell, with its list of offending rock sinners, charged with the corruption of today’s youth.

“I wanted to make a pop album,” Mylo quickly professes, when questioned about the undeniable accessibility of Destroy Rock & Roll. “I guess I’ve got to accept the fact that a lot of people who are getting into it are sort of house heads. But lately I’ve been getting into stuff that’s a lot more noisy, electro stuff.”

Which doesn’t come as much of a surprise when held up against the crunchier, more distorted sounds of some of his newer remixes, or even certain tracks on the album itself, such as “Paris Four Hundred.”

“It’s been a long time since I’ve worked in a studio. A hell of a lot has happened to me in that time and I’d like to express that in my music.”

Aside from an updated artistic direction, the mellow-mannered Mylo seems to have acquired a few gems of wisdom from his tribulations in the record industry. “It’s a lot of people making money. Obviously, having started my own record label, that’s something wonderful, and I’m very proud of it, but the more I learn about the record industry, the more it reminds me that my first priority should be making music, performing, DJing. Once you get to the level of a major record label, a lot of people, they don’t really care if they’re sellin’ dog food or records.

“But I’m happy, you know? The trip to the U.S. was great fun. I got to have the Phantom with me, who is our graphic designer who does all the sleeve designs. We went to the beaches in Miami. We had a blast. At Coachella, I played after Madonna in the dance tent, which was quite an experience.”

He’s also had a good time here in Montreal, which he last visited in March 2005 to DJ an I Love Neon party. “It was great for record shopping. I don’t know whether it’s overhyped, but everybody who’s into old Italo disco and stuff in the U.K. always goes on about how all the best stuff can be found in Montreal. I had a good day diggin’ through crates. But, some collectors had been through, and sort taken out a lot of the good stuff already. I had more success record shopping in Vancouver.”

Which of course begs the question, how much quality music gets ear time out West? “Yeah, exactly,” laughs Mylo. “In Vancouver, it’s like, Slipknot.”

With Danny Tenaglia, Steve Lawler, Victor Calderone, Misstress Barbara and more at Sun Dance Music Festival at Beach Club (Pointe Calumet), Saturday and Sunday, July 22–23, 10 a.m., $40 ($70 for both days). For more info, go to www.godskitchen.ca

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