wiZard
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wiZard

Dallas, Texas, United States

Dallas, Texas, United States
Band EDM Hip Hop

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Music

Press


"?Last Night: Zeds Dead, Bass Science"

"...The night began with local producer w i Z a r d throwing down hard beats as he strummed the guitar over prerecorded tracks. By the time he closed with a groovy original entitled "Hands," Trees was packed to the brim, 'x'es on most hands in the air." - DC 9 at Night


"::: Heard It Here First ::: w i Z a r d — DFW"

Who is w i Z a r d? If you don’t already know, unzip your jacket and get ready to jam because he’s escalated to a whole new level. Dallas DJ Mike McDonald, who was recently added to the BASS INVASION ATX lineup, decided he’s over the whole dubstep thing and is making the transition into predominantly hip-hop infused electronica. And am I ever glad for that.

His newest tune “DFW” is deliciously dirty and makes even the whitest of girls feel gangsta. It’s rock-steady, it’s energetic, and it’s also just straight up awesome. Plus dfDubReport is the first place you will hear this track in its entirety. Yup, this is the debut!

I’ve known Mike for a minute now and I can attest that he’s good at what he does. But now that he’s separated from the bar scene and isn’t being asked to play Lady Gaga remixes every five seconds, he’s really grown into his style.

“I think I’ve hit that point where I know exactly what I want to sound like,” he said.

If you’re in Austin for SXSW Friday, be sure to catch w i Z a r d at the BASS INVASION ATX setup around 1 p.m. Mike’s going to be playing six new tracks during his set. SPOILER ALERT: They are all as funky fresh and kick ass “DFW.”

So take a listen and enjoy w i Z a r d’s latest track (brought to you exclusively by dfDubReport) and give the boy some local lovin tomorrow in Austin. I personally am super stoked to see how his sound grows from here.
- dfDubReport


"Fatty Lumpkin, nuggatron, Shebus @ Club Dada"

..."guitarist Mike McDonald doubles as w i Z a r d, who will be jamming a lot of his new material. I’ve heard it and I’m stoked! It’s much more hip hop influenced and super super righteous!" - dfDubReport


Discography

Still working on that hot first release.

Photos

Bio

Mike McDonald (a,k,a wiZard) is a genre-blending producer and guitarist from Dallas, TX. His unique combination of glitchy hip-hop beats, funky basslines, and live guitar has earned him a loyal regional following that is growing by the day. When asked about why his sound has won over audiences, McDonald replies “I think it’s appealing to
people because it not only has that bumping synth-driven glitch-hop beat, but it also has that guitar element, and I think that people are still really drawn to the sound of a sailing guitar lead.”
A guitarist since grade school, McDonald grew up playing in jazz combos, funk bands, and rock groups; but his real passion was production. He built a small studio in a garage and began recording local bands and toying around with synthesizers and drum machines. wiZard migrated into electronic music after realizing it was the perfect medium for him to explore his wide array of influences and integrate them into a sound that was truly his.
Since stepping on the scene little more than a year ago, wiZard has shared the stage with Michal Menert, Gramatik, Big Gigantic, Two Fresh, Murph (from STS9), Signal Path, Alex B, The Polish Ambassador, Bass Science, and Zeds Dead. wiZard is currently at work on his debut EP, titled “Keep Calm and Carry a Wand.”