Desert Dreams and Dancefloors: Mikey Lion's Musical Odyssey

The Deep Dark Soul of Desert Hearts Black

A Desert Hearts and Lee Foss Christmas Story

Desert Hearts

United States

The Torch - Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum

Desert Hearts Festival 2023

Artists & Fans Share the Positive Impact of Desert Hearts

Explore The Sound of Desert Hearts Festival Through 5 YouTube Sets

Five Songs that Define Mikey Lion’s Expansive Sound

The Essential Desert Hearts Playlist

How Daft Punk's Coachella Performance Inspired Mikey Lion to Pursue Dance Music

How Mikey Lion Proved to His Parents that Turntables were an Instrument

Mikey Lion on how Desert Hearts has Changed Lives

Mikey Lion Tells the Desert Hearts Origin Story

Tickets for Desert Hearts Festival 2023 Are Now On Sale

5 Trends in House Music we Loved in 2021

, the incredible DJ who is known for bringing the love back to House Music. Mikey, whose real name is Michael Leon, grew up in San Diego and has become a legend in the music scene. He is the center of the 

 movement, a group that celebrates house and techno music.

As a young boy, Leon developed a passion for music. He started by scratching underground hip-hop records after school when he was just thirteen years old. But everything changed when he attended Coachella music festival at the age of seventeen. On that magical night, he witnessed a legendary performance by 

, an iconic electronic music duo. Inspired by their music and his first experience with psychedelics, Leon decided to become a House DJ the very next day. It was a pivotal moment in his life.

Leon sharpened his DJ skills by practicing for long hours at Sala Razzmatazz in Barcelona. He fell in love with the Burner culture at the Lightning in a Bottle festival in 2011. It was there that he found a community of like-minded people who shared his passion for music and love. He joined forces with his brother Porkchop, his lifelong friends 

Glide

In November 2012, Leon and his crew organized their first gathering in the Mojave Desert. It was a small event with only 200 people, but it ignited a fire in their hearts. The goal was simple: to spread as much love as humanly possible. That humble gathering has since evolved into the beloved 

 festival, which takes place twice a year in Southern California. It is attended by 3500 people who come together to celebrate deep and trippy house and techno music.

Not only is Leon a talented DJ, but he also owns Desert Hearts Records, a record label that promotes the sonic aesthetic of the house and techno scene. The label has toured the world and released music from incredible artists. Leon's unique style, with tribal, hip-hop, and psychedelic elements, has made him a prominent figure in the House & Techno scene.

With his signature top hat and energetic stage presence, Leon has captured the hearts of music lovers everywhere. He has performed at renowned festivals like Lightning in a Bottle, Burning Man, and Coachella. His talent and dedication have earned him recognition from esteemed artists like 

A collection of Live Sets & Studio Mixes that I'm especially proud to share with you guys. Nothin' but love for all of you.

~Mikey

Mikey Lion Mixes by Mikey Lion

Leon is not just a DJ; he is an agent of love, spreading joy and positive energy through his music. His story is an inspiration, reminding us to follow our passions and pursue what makes us truly happy. So next time you hear his music, remember the dusty prince of 

 and the amazing journey that brought him to where he is today.

Mikey Lion

United Kingdom

Skream

Melé

Lee Foss

Germany

DJ Seinfeld

Dusky

Prospa

CINTHIE

Eskuche

Gene Farris

Ukraine

Miss Monique

Canada

Tiga

Tini Gessler

DJ Holographic

Derrick Carter

Lee Reynolds

The Chocolate Factory

Mikey Lion, Lee Reynolds & Guests

Spain

Bastian Bux

Shalev

Branqueeno

Musica

Mikey Lion [Desert Hearts] with Bastian Bux

Marbs

Porky (DH)

SHADED

Concord Music Hall

Desert Hearts 10 Year Anniversary

The Knockdown Center

Desert Hearts New York

Bad Snacks

Iran

Ardalan

Atish

Belgium

Charlotte de Witte

Lee Burridge

m.O.N.R.O.E.

Zeds Dead

Bob Moses

Seth Troxler

Reveille Peak Ranch

Texas Eclipse Festival 2024

Boys Noize

Chris Lake

Chris Lorenzo

Destructo

Justin Martin

Patrick Mason

Todd Edwards

Switzerland

Charles Meyer

Nala

QRTR

Mary Droppinz

Russia

VOLAC

Miami to Harvest Caye, Belize

Friendship 2024

Alan Nieves

Kevin Knapp

Lubelski

Luna Mar

Justin Marchacos

Venezuela

Fur Coat

Superior Ingredients

Desert Hearts Records x Desert Hearts Black

Ben Böhmer

Innellea

Maceo Plex

Victor Calderone

Christian Löffler

Italy

Giorgia Angiuli

Henrik Schwarz

Jaguar

Konstantin Sibold

ONYVAA

SOHMI

Spencer Brown

Francis Mercier

SOEL

gardenstate

Avant Gardner

Cityfox Transcend Festival

Plastikman

Israel

Red Axes

Rafa Barrios

Nic Fanciulli

Demi Requísimo

Dubfire

Wuki

Seb Fontaine

Mikey Lion is a conduit of bright white light, a vibe conductor of the highest order, and a champion of positive energy and dusty funky beats. Positioned at the center of the West Coast house movement, he’s one of the founding members of the Desert Hearts crew. Alongside his brother Porkchop, childhood friend Marbs, Lee Reynolds, and Kristoff McKay, he’s created a loving community of wide-eyed dancers that believe house, techno, and love can change the world.

He embarked on his sonic journey at the age of 13. Young Mikey was a massive hip-hop head. When his parents offered to buy him any musical instrument, the DJ culture-obsessed teenager chose Technic 1200s. Undeterred by the fact that his parents didn’t think turntables were an instrument, he bought his own six months later. Mikey immersed himself in the world of turntablism and eventually proved to his parents that his decks were just as impactful and beautiful as any woodwind, piano, or stringed instrument.

“They saw how much I was obsessed with it and they saw how it could be a musical instrument. They ended up paying me back and just been my number one supporters ever since. My dad drove up to San Louis Obispo where I was going to college and surprised me for my first official gig at a bar. They were there the first time that I played Lightning In A Bottle. Now my mom does our accounting for Desert Hearts.”

Through The Fog

When he was 17, he went to his first Coachella. His first festival was a life-changing day not just for him but for dance music culture. Coachella 2006 was a flashpoint. 

“I didn't have any idea what I was getting into," he remembers. "And the very first time that I took my very first ecstasy, which also happened to be the very first time I ever heard dance music at the debut of the Daft Punk pyramid.”

The steadfast hip-hop head was converted. “In that moment,” he explains “I'm just like, ‘Fuck hip hop this is what I want to do with my life from now on.’”

When he co-founded the Desert Hearts crew in 2012 he was several years into his journey in dance music. Attending Lightning In A Bottle and Burning Man inspired him and his crew to create something that could bring people together for the love of house and techno. The first renegade in the Mojave Desert was a near disaster. 200 attendees huddled around a campfire on the dancefloor with no sound until 6 am Saturday. And from then on things locked in. Desert Hearts has now grown to encompass a record label and a global community of thousands.

“It came from this really pure hearted place of just wanting to make the world a better place, wanting to build community wanting to show people, how they can be a part of community, how they can go back and create their own parties, their own communities themselves. And really, I think that that's, that's the stronghold foundation of our of our entire brand.”

Mikey has countless stories of Desert Hearts fam sharing how Desert Hearts has changed lives. “One of my favorite stories is this woman came up to me and Lee at Lightning In A Bottle a couple of years ago, pregnant woman, and she just grabs our hands and puts our hands on her belly. And she goes ‘this baby was conceived at Desert Hearts festival.’ I've heard about Desert Hearts changing lives countless times. But never heard of Desert Hearts, creating life.”

Recorded live at Nocturnal Wonderland 2021.

Before I started playing I actually got really nervous as this was definitely going to be the biggest crowd I’ve played for since the pandemic and maybe the  biggest crowd I’ve ever played for. I got to watch all my friends smash it on stage before me but being there so long before my set was definitely making me anxious. I always try to get some alone time right before I play so I can meditate and ask the universe to let me help heal as many people as possible with my music and energy. As I was walking off to my trailer to meditate, a personal DJ hero to me, DJ Dan, stopped me and told me, “There are DJs and then there are healers, and you, Mikey Lion, are a healer and a storyteller with your music.” 

To me this was such a massive good omen and wink from the universe that I’m on the right track. Those words from Dan totally erased all the nerves I had and gave me so much confidence to play music for all you beautiful people. I love you all ✌️💗

~Mikey

Tracklist:
1. Mikey Lion, Justin Martin - Through The Fog
2. Mele - Groove La Afrika
3. Chiqito - Bumpa
4. Sosa UK - Da House
5. Latmun & Wheats - Onset
6. Mikey Lion - This Is The Beat (forthcoming on Desert Hearts Records)
7. Eldon UK - Game Boy
8. Kevin Knapp - Worldwide
9. Wade - Superazzid
10. Wheats - N Down
11. Wheats - N Night
12. Mendo, Danny Serrano - Grush
13. Jansons - Medicine
14. Eats Everything - Think About The Revolution
15. Jesper Ryom - Ada

Mikey Lion - Live @ Nocturnal Wonderland 2021 by Mikey Lion

During the pandemic, Desert Hearts strengthened their community in an entirely unexpected way. The crew hopped on the streaming game early, and the nightly Desert Hearts streams welcomed tens of thousands of people. 

“I think the coolest thing about Twitch for us was just how amazing it was that we are able to provide this home for so many people online … It was such an unexplainable way of DJing. There's is a real deep connection that was made when I was playing music every Wednesday, It really was like, [we were] together alone. It was incredible.”

Mikey’s personal journey during the pandemic led him to reconfirm why he does what he does. After having a difficult time coping, he realigned his purpose and his place in the universe.

“I've noticed over the years that when I stray from the more spiritual path, which is trying to help people, trying to show people love, trying to just make the world a better place. When my purpose is misaligned, I think that things don't go nearly as well as they're supposed to. And so when I put out my album … I really wanted to make sure that I was completely realigning myself.”

This Is The Beat

His 2021 album For the Love is more than just a collection of psychedelic beats and basslines. It’s a declaration of love for the scene and his well-being. 

He recently released, “This Is The Beat,” a continuation of the inner work that he established with his album. Given his newfound focus and intention, writing music has become a more organic process. The song was written on a surfing trip in El Salvador. 

“The hotel that I was staying at had this million dollar studio…I ended up making that track, and basis for another track…It wasn't forced at all. I was going on vacation. And I had access to the studio, so I had some downtime in between the surf being blown out. I couldn't think of a better thing.”

Mikey’s newly aligned direction has been a source of clarity. He feels like he’s in the most comfortable space in his career. 

“I know that when I play music, I have a very positive impact on people. And I've learned how to harness my own energy to push this healing energy out. When I was first figuring this out, it was something that I was always thinking like, ‘Whoa, don't let your ego get too big there, dude.’ But then it was like, oh wait, no this is a real thing that is tangible. And I can see the effect that it's having on people. So, if you just lean into it and harness it, it's working. And oddly enough, once I've started moving myself in that newly aligned space, gigs have been better, parties been better. Everything's just been better. So that's my goal now.”

Mikey Lion is a conduit of bright white light, a vibe conductor of the highest order, and a champion of positive energy and dusty funky beats. Positioned at the center of the West Coast house movement, he’s one of the founding members of the Desert Hearts crew. Alongside his brother Porkchop, childhood friend Marbs, Lee Reynolds, and Kristoff McKay, he’s created a loving community of wide-eyed dancers that believe house, techno, and love can change the world.

He embarked on his sonic journey at the age of 13. Young Mikey was a massive hip-hop head. When his parents offered to buy him any musical instrument, the DJ culture-obsessed teenager chose Technic 1200s. Undeterred by the fact that his parents didn’t think turntables were an instrument, he bought his own six months later. Mikey immersed himself in the world of turntablism and eventually proved to his parents that his decks were just as impactful and beautiful as any woodwind, piano, or stringed instrument.

“They saw how much I was obsessed with it and they saw how it could be a musical instrument. They ended up paying me back and just been my number one supporters ever since. My dad drove up to San Louis Obispo where I was going to college and surprised me for my first official gig at a bar. They were there the first time that I played Lightning In A Bottle. Now my mom does our accounting for Desert Hearts.”

When he was 17, he went to his first Coachella. His first festival was a life-changing day not just for him but for dance music culture. Coachella 2006 was a flashpoint. 

“I didn't have any idea what I was getting into," he remembers. "And the very first time that I took my very first ecstasy, which also happened to be the very first time I ever heard dance music at the debut of the Daft Punk pyramid.”

The steadfast hip-hop head was converted. “In that moment,” he explains “I'm just like, ‘Fuck hip hop this is what I want to do with my life from now on.’”

When he co-founded the Desert Hearts crew in 2012 he was several years into his journey in dance music. Attending Lightning In A Bottle and Burning Man inspired him and his crew to create something that could bring people together for the love of house and techno. The first renegade in the Mojave Desert was a near disaster. 200 attendees huddled around a campfire on the dancefloor with no sound until 6 am Saturday. And from then on things locked in. Desert Hearts has now grown to encompass a record label and a global community of thousands.

“It came from this really pure hearted place of just wanting to make the world a better place, wanting to build community wanting to show people, how they can be a part of community, how they can go back and create their own parties, their own communities themselves. And really, I think that that's, that's the stronghold foundation of our of our entire brand.”

Mikey has countless stories of Desert Hearts fam sharing how Desert Hearts has changed lives. “One of my favorite stories is this woman came up to me and Lee at Lightning In A Bottle a couple of years ago, pregnant woman, and she just grabs our hands and puts our hands on her belly. And she goes ‘this baby was conceived at Desert Hearts festival.’ I've heard about Desert Hearts changing lives countless times. But never heard of Desert Hearts, creating life.”

During the pandemic, Desert Hearts strengthened their community in an entirely unexpected way. The crew hopped on the streaming game early, and the nightly Desert Hearts streams welcomed tens of thousands of people. 

“I think the coolest thing about Twitch for us was just how amazing it was that we are able to provide this home for so many people online … It was such an unexplainable way of DJing. There's is a real deep connection that was made when I was playing music every Wednesday, It really was like, [we were] together alone. It was incredible.”

Mikey’s personal journey during the pandemic led him to reconfirm why he does what he does. After having a difficult time coping, he realigned his purpose and his place in the universe.

“I've noticed over the years that when I stray from the more spiritual path, which is trying to help people, trying to show people love, trying to just make the world a better place. When my purpose is misaligned, I think that things don't go nearly as well as they're supposed to. And so when I put out my album … I really wanted to make sure that I was completely realigning myself.”

His 2021 album For the Love is more than just a collection of psychedelic beats and basslines. It’s a declaration of love for the scene and his well-being. 

He recently released, “This Is The Beat,” a continuation of the inner work that he established with his album. Given his newfound focus and intention, writing music has become a more organic process. The song was written on a surfing trip in El Salvador. 

“The hotel that I was staying at had this million dollar studio…I ended up making that track, and basis for another track…It wasn't forced at all. I was going on vacation. And I had access to the studio, so I had some downtime in between the surf being blown out. I couldn't think of a better thing.”

Mikey’s newly aligned direction has been a source of clarity. He feels like he’s in the most comfortable space in his career. 

“I know that when I play music, I have a very positive impact on people. And I've learned how to harness my own energy to push this healing energy out. When I was first figuring this out, it was something that I was always thinking like, ‘Whoa, don't let your ego get too big there, dude.’ But then it was like, oh wait, no this is a real thing that is tangible. And I can see the effect that it's having on people. So, if you just lean into it and harness it, it's working. And oddly enough, once I've started moving myself in that newly aligned space, gigs have been better, parties been better. Everything's just been better. So that's my goal now.”

Mikey Lion

Past events

Other artists