Westfield High School junior Michael Wiseley’s passion for music leads to DJ career
By Mark Ambrogi
The first time Michael Wiseley listened to a remix by Skrillex in 2010, he was hooked on the Electronic Dance Music industry.
Since then the Westfield High School junior has been working as a DJ for four years and producing the music, originals or remixes of original songs, for two years. His music can be found on a Sound Cloud account.
Wiseley spends several hours per week honing his EDM skills. Wiseley said the main roots of EDM, a set of percussive music genre, comes from disco. EDM is usually played at nightclubs, festivals and raves.
“It’s hard because Indianapolis doesn’t have many all-age venues so the need for a 16-year-old dance music DJ isn’t really high right now,” he said.
Wiseley, who goes by the DJ handle of MavBrooks, played his first headline show at the Emerson Theater in Indianapolis on Dec. 5.
Last summer he was selected to play at the Indy Pride Festival after submitting his history and his tracks.
“One of the main things that helped me get on the lineup is I was dedicating my set to the eighth-grader from Westfield who committed suicide because he was bullied for his sexuality,” Wiseley said. “I had his older brother, who was a Westfield senior last year, come on the stage and he talked about his brother and that situation.”
Wiseley made an edit of Stop the Violence in a track to honor Indianapolis police officer Perry Renn, who was killed in the line of duty in July.
“I like to find a deeper meaning or purpose when I make music,” Wiseley said.
Wiseley has also used his musical platform to reach out to those who might be contemplating suicide.
“My big message is love,” Wiseley said. “I want to make people feel that they are needed and literally try to make people happy. All though my songs if I can make one person happy through them, I’m happy.”
Wiseley said he is working hard to get into some festivals this summer and some venues in other states.
“Last year it was the most growing genre in the U.S.,” Wiseley said. “I think it’s going to be a lot like the rock and roll in the ‘50s. It’s just going to get bigger and bigger.”
Wiseley hopes to attend ICON Collective, a digital music production school, in Los Angeles after graduating from high school.
Wiseley said he recently learned how to play the piano. He also knows how to play guitar and the drums.
“For producing, the biggest tip is to learn every instrument you can because it will help out,” Wiseley said. “Especially for dance music because it really helps to bring new ideas and sounds together.”
Wiseley is starting to incorporate a mini-keyboard and drum pads to plug into consoles for live shows. Wiseley said he learning as many sub-genres of EDM as he could.
“That makes you a better producer and leads into to being a DJ,” he said. “You learn the different tempo and keys.’’
His father David Wiseley has become a major fan and said his son displays great drive in working on his craft.
“He tries to put his style into it,” his dad said. “He has fun twists he puts into it, like he recently used a ‘70s song (‘Escape’) in one. He’s puts on a clean and fun show.”
His dad is proud of his son for tackling social issues.
“He’s a thoughtful kid,” David said. “He gravitates to those kinds of social issues.”
Meet Michael Wiseley
Age: 16.
Personal: Westfield High School junior has a 3.6 GPA. Plays on school’s tennis team. Member of Leo Club. Has two older sisters, Allison and Taylor.
DJ name: “Mav comes from Maverick, someone who is innovative and does something different. Brooks just sounded good with Mav.”
Favorite subject in school? “I love Westfield’s music department. There is a teacher there, Mr. (Jeff) McLaughlin, who is really cool and talented. I love a lot of math classes there. I’m more of a numbers person.”
What else do you like to do? “I’ve always played a lot of sports, tennis and golf. I love spending time with friends as much as I can. I try to go to as many high school outings as I can.”
Favorite musicians: “TJR, Laidback Luke, Deorro and Porter Robinson.”
Favorite TV show: “The Blacklist.”
Social media handles: www.facebook.com/MavBrooks1; https://soundcloud.com/mavbrooks1; twitter.com/mavbrooks
