Belgium · Classic-era focus: 1998–2005; later releases continue · Producer & DJ
Push / M.I.K.E.
The short answer — Who is Push / M.I.K.E.?
Push is the trance project of Belgian producer and DJ Mike Dierickx, also widely known as M.I.K.E. Universal Nation became his defining Push breakthrough on Bonzai Records in 1998.
Producer & DJ · Belgium · Active Classic-era focus: 1998–2005; later releases continue · Labels: Bonzai Records, Armada, Club Elite.
Push is the trance project of Belgian producer and DJ Mike Dierickx, also widely known as M.I.K.E. Universal Nation became his defining Push breakthrough on Bonzai Records in 1998. His work connects trance with techno, while projects including Plastic Boy and Solar Factor give him room for other musical identities. This profile focuses on his classic-era records and the source-backed distinctions between the producer, the projects and their remixes.
Before the Push breakthrough
Dierickx told Dave Pearce’s interviewer that synth-pop and new wave led him toward Chicago and Detroit house. He recalled submitting a homemade demo at eighteen to Antwerp’s U.S.A. Import, with a first release under the Vision Act name. These are attributed early-career recollections, not a basis for inventing an exact debut year or a studio-equipment list.
Universal Nation and the Bonzai years
The original Universal Nation catalog trail begins with the 1998 Belgian Bonzai release The Real Anthem. Dierickx recalled making the record in four hours on a Wednesday afternoon, describing the result as spontaneous. The 1999 Ferry Corsten and Oliver Lieb versions are remix editions of his production. Their credits should not erase Push from the original artist line.
A catalog beyond one anthem
Armada’s publishing biography identifies Strange World and The Legacy among his defining records. The checked single catalogs place them in 2000 and 2001 respectively; the From Beyond album is cataloged from 2000. Together they show why a Push profile needs more than a Universal Nation paragraph. Dierickx’s official website also lists later albums including Electric Eclipse, Global Age, Neon Life and Scope, without requiring an unverified total album count.
Why the project names matter
Asked about Push, Plastic Boy and Solar Factor, Dierickx explained that every project had its own identity while retaining his production signature. He also described starting Club Elite after joining Armada, using it for his own projects and fellow producers. The interview supplies that sequence and musical direction, but not a precise label-founding year. We keep those limits visible rather than treating every alias as interchangeable.
- Real name
- Mike Dierickx
- Aliases
- Push, M.I.K.E.
What genre is Push / M.I.K.E.?
Push is associated with trance and a strong techno connection. In his Dave Pearce interview, Dierickx described his projects as having different identities across techno, house and trance. Club Elite was described as deeper trance with a progressive touch, so one rigid subgenre label would miss part of his catalog.
- Trance
- Techno
- Progressive trance
Push / M.I.K.E.: key dates
- Early career
Recalls a first demo to U.S.A. Import and a release as Vision Act; exact year not asserted.
- 1998
Universal Nation appears on Bonzai Records as part of The Real Anthem.
- 1999
Universal Nation ’99 remix editions include Ferry Corsten and Oliver Lieb.
- 2000
Catalog dates place Strange World and the From Beyond album in this year.
- 2001
The Legacy single is cataloged from this year.
- Later career
Describes Club Elite after joining Armada; separate projects continue.
Are Push and M.I.K.E. the same producer?
Yes. Both names are used by Belgian producer and DJ Mike Dierickx. His other documented projects include Plastic Boy and Solar Factor.
Which Push records follow Universal Nation?
Start with Strange World and The Legacy, then the album From Beyond. The checked catalogs place those classic-era releases in 2000, 2001 and 2000 respectively.
Who is Push / M.I.K.E.?
Push is the trance project of Belgian producer and DJ Mike Dierickx, also widely known as M.I.K.E. Universal Nation became his defining Push breakthrough on Bonzai Records in 1998. His work connects trance with techno, while projects including Plastic Boy and Solar Factor give him room for other musical identities. This profile focuses on his classic-era records and the source-backed distinctions between the producer, the projects and their remixes.
What genre is Push / M.I.K.E. known for?
Push is associated with trance and a strong techno connection. In his Dave Pearce interview, Dierickx described his projects as having different identities across techno, house and trance. Club Elite was described as deeper trance with a progressive touch, so one rigid subgenre label would miss part of his catalog.
Where is Push / M.I.K.E. from?
Push / M.I.K.E. is from Belgium.
Research & sources
These references support the factual claims on this page. Editorial interpretation is identified as such; a source link is not an endorsement by its publisher.
- Mike / Push biography
Armada Music Publishing
Belgian identity, trance/techno connection and signature tracks; promotional superlatives and totals not repeated.
- M.I.K.E. / Push interview
Dave Pearce
Firsthand recollections of production and project identities; interview by Daniel Slipper.
- Push album catalog
M.I.K.E. Push
Official artist identity and album titles.
- The Real Anthem: original Belgian release
MusicBrainz (community-maintained release catalog)
Edition-specific catalog evidence; not an independently inspected original sleeve.
- Universal Nation ’99 Remixes: BR99151
MusicBrainz (community-maintained release catalog)
Edition-specific catalog evidence; not an independently inspected original sleeve.
- From Beyond: catalog chronology
MusicBrainz (community-maintained catalog)
- Strange World: catalog chronology
MusicBrainz (community-maintained catalog)
- The Legacy: catalog chronology
MusicBrainz (community-maintained catalog)