Mike Rock

Music was everywhere in the house where Michael Pattipeiluhu alias Mike Rock grew up. As a small boy he liked to watch his father, a member of the well-known West Papuan pop group The Black Brothers, composing music in the living room behind his keyboard.

Just like his father Michael practiced the piano from an early age, each day for an hour. Admittedly, for an energetic kid this regime wasn't always voluntarily but nowadays Michael cherishes the experience. He developed an ear for music, something he still benefits from every day.

When he was ten years old Mike Rock attended the music school in Zeist where he started playing jazz music and learned to read notes. It was in these weekly sessions that he learned to respect all types of music. After six years it was time for something fresh. Sheet music was exchanged for his first DJ-set and a new, fascinating world revealed itself. Michael started mixing hip hop music and creating tracks for the choreographies he made as a dancing instructor. At dancing competitions, such as the Dutch national championships, people started noticing his music.

At night in his room, while the rest of the world was deep asleep, he continued experimenting with beats. It was during a performance of his friend DJ Dynamite that Mike Rock had a taste of what live music can do. From behind the DJ booth he saw the crowd go crazy. He knew he wanted this too.

At the age of eighteen Michael got an opportunity at Club New in his hometown Zeist. Word spread fast and before long Mike Rock became the resident DJ on both Fridays and Saturdays nights. He established a reputation as a DJ with an ear and eye for the audience, sensing what they want and when.

Next, Mike Rock was asked to play in Club Arena in Utrecht, where he too became a resident. Dutch house blew up and Michael started exploring this genre and extending his musicstyle, playing Urban, (Reggaeton and Dancehall), House and 2step. Other venues followed including the Escape in Amsterdam, Brothers in Bunnik, Filemon & Baucis in Utrecht, Hotel Bel Air and the Golden Tulip in The Hague.
In the summer of 2008 Mike Rock was ready to take it to Jakarta, Indonesia. Packed with his cd's and a drive to make it, he began a summertour of three months, performing at well known clubs such as Broslounge, Pure Lounge, The Embassy, Blowfish, Bliss and Loft 25. Next up was the international crowd on Bali where Mike Rock played at Dejavu, DJ café, Club Mediterrane, Syndicate, Embargo, and Bacio.

Upon his return to The Netherlands, Michael became a resident DJ for the student association DSV in Deventer. On other nights Mike Rock can be found at various parties around the country. This just the beginning: Mike Rock is ready to conquer the world.