Music is a huge part of OC office culture. We're just as excited to check out the new Physical Therapy video as we are to see what Rihanna's wearing on the cover of her latest single (whose lyrics we already have memorized).

My ridiculous iTunes playcount of Miguel's "Sure Thing" was enough to let me call dibs on his live performance at PS1, but what I totally didn't realize was that the experience would turn me into a bona fide fangirl of teen dream proportions. I had to get a word in with Miguel, and, as he is co-hosting tonight's FNO festivities, get a playlist of his favorite end-of-summer 2012 hits as well. Although he was busy in the studio wrapping up his album, he proved to be the nice guy he sings he is and chatted with me about his preformance, his dream collaboration, and more!

OC Mixtape Series #27: Miguel by OpeningCeremony

Tracklist:
Holly Wood - Sa-Ra
Pop That (feat. Rick Ross, Drake & Lil Wayne) - French Montana
God from the Machine - Santigold
The Motto (feat. Lil Wayne) - Drake
The Story - KING
Hands on the Wheel (feat. ASAP Rocky) - ScHoolboy Q
Lovely Day (Remastered) - Bill Withers
Adorn - Miguel
Bands a Make Her Dance [Remix] (ft. Lil' Wayne & 2 Chainz) - Juicy J
Pomme - Sébastien Tellier
Party (Prod. by Kenny Beats) - ScHoolboy Q
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Daria Radlinski: You killed it at your PS1 preformance! How did you enjoy playing there?
Miguel: Well if you've never been to PS1, it'll probably be really hard to relate. For those of us who have been there and know what the Warm Ups are all about––the crowd, its diversity, the energy, and the people being open to whatever is presented––it was really amazing. On an art level, there's this really special energy that I'm not sure how to describe; it was really awesome. Obviously Jamie [xx]'s set and Pearson Sound's set were incredible, and to be in between those sets was amazing.

DR: How different was the crowd from other shows you've played?
M: It was more special this time. I think it was because the fanbase seemed broader than expected, so the music had a further reach. A lot of people knew the music and were really into it. But those who were also just there having a drink and doing drugs, or whatever, they also gave me the attention in the midst of it all. That was really cool.

DR: A lot of people going to PS1 to see Jamie xx were also going for you. Your sound is so different from Jamie's, but I thought it was cool that there was a mutual appreciation for you both.
M: It's crazy. I mean, I would have gone for Jamie and Pearson and the others too. You can trust the Warm Up curators' taste, y'know. The fact that they included me meant so much and I appreciate it.

DR: Beyond that, you've been on tour with some really cool people, like Usher and Mary J. Blige. Everyone at OC is such a huge fan of both of theirs. What went down on tour with them?
M: I can't really divulge any crazy shit but only some PG-13 stuff. I've had some really fun and interesting times on the road with them. These are the two people who've introduced me to the tour life of being on a bus and doing shows every day. You learn tremendously from people who have been doing it for much longer. There have been crazy stories, trust me. Like random naked women showing up at the door and crazy tour bus parties. Overall it was really great.

DR: What do you do to kill time on tour?
M: Sleep, sleep man.

DR: It's the most popular answer, everyone says sleep.
M: Really? Have you ever slept on a tour bus?

DR: No, I haven't. Not yet! Haha.
M: There's something about it. It's completely dark, quiet, and comfy. It's your own space––just a great place. You're giving so much energy so, you know, it's nice to take some time for yourself and pass out. You don't want to watch cornfields go by.

DR: Fill in the blanks: I like my _____ but I love my _____.
M: I like my eggs in the morning but I love my peanut butter and jelly.

DR: Who do you dream of collaborating with?
M: Hands down, Björk. She is definitely my dream collaborator. I think that as far as arts go, her ability to catch emotion, her tone, her texture––it's really crazy. I pay so much attention to inflection and words, it makes such a big difference. You don't need to understand what she's saying to understand the story that she's telling and feel what she's giving out.  There's just something really special about people who don't give a fuck about any one else and just express themselves. When it's real like that, you have to love it. She's one of those people. 

DR: What was your first concert?
M: OK... but you can't laugh at me!

DR: I might laugh with you -- go ahead!
M: It was a Dwele concert. People don't know Dwele when he was young but early on, Dwele was murdering people. He was way ahead of his time.

DR: I'm not hating on that! How about your first album?
M: The Boyz II Men album with "Motown Philly." That was when I earned money from my parents. They gave me a CD player for my birthday and it was the album I went and bought.

DR: First album can be an embarrassing answer, but that's a good one!
M: Some people have some cool answers but Boyz II Men was big at the time.

DR: If you could work or meet any artist, dead or alive, who would it be?
M: Freddie Mercury, Jimi Hendrix, James Brown, Miles Davis, Biggie, Tupac (can't say one without the other, sorry). So many, but that's a good handful of people!
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Miguel will be hosting OC's noraebang FNO party at the Ace Hotel tonight! Details here.

FILED UNDER: FNO 2012 , Miguel , Mixtape , Music , OC Mixtape Series