BIO
Michael Thomas' journey on the decks began almost three decades ago at a friend’s downtown loft for a small private party. It was in the middle of this party where Michael was offered his first paying and public gig, leading him to his first DJ residency at Cleveland’s newest bar, Club Visions, where he would remain for the next almost two years developing his following and honing his craft. Quickly recognized for his uplifting sound and unique story-telling placed Michael in high demand, adding him to the rosters of national events for The Ohio Boy’s Club parties and Dancin’ in the Streets in Cleveland, Corbett Reynolds’ ‘Rudely Elegant’ Red Party in Columbus and Change of Seasons in Atlanta to name a few. Michael has been a frequent returning guest DJ at nightclubs throughout the U.S. and has helmed multiple residencies in Cleveland, Fort Lauderdale and Chicago.
Some of Michael’s strongest early influences like veteran DJs and legends Mark Tarbox, Morabito and Buc or famed producers Frankie Knuckles, Mark Picchiotti and David Morales are still inherently present and recognizable in his sets today – uplifting vocals and banging piano keys and horns, sexy Afro and tribal rhythms and percussions, underground tech or warm melodic techno. Michael's timing and his command of the room are proof to a resumé that spans nearly three decades. His versatility as a DJ has booked him gigs for tea dance to after hours for big rooms such as U4IA in Cleveland or Tabernacle in Atlanta to the intimate Posh or Sidebar in Fort Lauderdale.
Michael Thomas had been away from the decks for nearly a decade while he focused on his bar career, family and self. During that time he was part of the development team and later became Head Bartender for one of the country’s leading cocktail bars, Sable Kitchen & Bar in Chicago. During his tenure at Sable Kitchen & Bar, Michael gained national attention in publications like Imbibe, Timeout, Forbes, Chicago Tribune, Plate, Men’s Journal, Travel & Leisure, Wine Enthusiast, Bar & Restaurant and Zagat and was a key contributor to the bar earning national accolades: “10 Best Restaurant Bars in Chicago” by USA Today, “Best Hotel Bars” by Food and Wine, “Best Bars in America” by Esquire, “Best Bar Team” and “Best American Hotel Bar” by Tales of the Cocktail. During this time he also married his long-term partner and soul mate, Canadian-born artist Darren Jones.
Recently, Michael is speaking publicly about his ‘aha’ moment(s) during the COVID-19 lockdown and how he was brought back to the music. In lockdown, he faced his demons with eyes wide opened and triumphed over his many years' battle with addiction and is now living sober. In his sobriety, he says he is "learning self-love," has adopted "an essential routine of self-care" and has uncovered a new found spirituality where he's discovered his muse, Philyra. Michael's return to the DJ booth is bringing a new maturity and a refreshed sound that he credits to life experience – the struggles and celebrations, alike. With an invigorated perspective and his self-proclaimed “reincarnation” combined with his music, one might say they are listening to the soundtrack of his life. Michael’s ability to create a “journey” for his dance floor has never been more apparent and will undoubtedly continue to propel him to tell his story and compose his “soundtrack."
My. Name. Is.
Over the years I've been asked more times than I can remember how I chose and why I use the stage name Michael Thomas. Although I have told this story many times I realize it is still widely unknown by many…
I had been DJing only a few months but was starting to feel real frustration because promotional material was routinely being released with my name misspelled AND people were stumbling on its pronunciation. My surname was Arlesic (before I married and took my husband's name - Jones). If you are attempting the pronunciation, it’s [ r-less-sick ]. The “frustration” is real and understandable, right?
It was September of '95 and I was with a group of friends in a hotel room in Columbus, Ohio. We were there to attend the infamous (and forever remembered ) ‘Rudely Elegant’ Red Party by Corbett Reynolds. A new promo flyer for an upcoming gig had just been released and again my name was misspelled. My friends saw my frustration and they too recognized this was becoming the norm. But what could I do?
Organically, the conversation turned to the great DJs whom we admired – Mark Tarbox, Susan Morabito, Buc, Frankie Kuckles, David Morales... Each of them highly respected and with reputations to precede them. But it was more than that; they also each had this thing! They each had that roll-off-your-tongue, great sounding name! I remember the conversation going on for quite some time and us having fun trying to name all of the greats and their “cool” names. Someone in the group stopped us and asked me my middle name. I said, “Thomas.” The room went silent for a moment or two and then we heard, “Michael Thomas. Hmmm… Michael Thomas." And that was it! The room exploded and unanimously my name Michael Thomas was birthed. Growing up I never had a nickname. But now? NOW I had an alias, an aka, a stage name. Somehow, I felt initiated and that I had just experienced my first anointing as a DJ. At the time, I didn't know this would become my story. But it is - and it will be - the story I will forever tell.
Even after all of these years and as many times as I’ve shared this story, I am still transported back to that hotel room in Columbus EVERY TIME. It’s one of my most vivid and cherished memories of my young life as a freshman DJ. My eyes still swell when telling it because well, it is my story of how and why...
MY. NAME. IS.
MICHAEL THOMAS