Mike Davis a.k.a. Reflections had the distinct privilege of being interviewed by The Rave Vine, a Jacksonville-based EDM events and news blog, in January of 2025. Unfortunately their website is currently offline, and thankfully we saved a copy of the final interview Q+A document. In this interview, Mike dives into not just his personal journey, he also peels back the layers of the history of JaxDnB and how it got started. The interview was conducted by Alex and Connor Hennessy, founders and owners of The Rave Vine.
Interview with Michael Davis AKA Reflections, Manager of JaxDnB
Alex: Take us back to the beginning. When did JaxDnB find its inception?
Mike: Yeah, so I’ll take you back a little bit further than that, just to set the stage. Drum and Bass evolved in the late ’80s and into the ’90s from Hardcore Breakbeat and then Jungle in the UK. It first made its way to Jacksonville around the mid to late ’90s. I don’t know if you’re familiar with a couple of friends of mine, Wes Reed and Matt Caulder. They did a thing back then called Therapy Sessions, and they were some of the first people to bring Drum and Bass to Jacksonville. Over the course of a few years, more people got wind of it and got involved. Some other people started doing events, mainly my good friend Dorian a.k.a. Bad Syntax who ran a successful weekly called Protocol for several years.
Jax DnB, as an entity, became established sometime around 2005. Just to give you more background, that was back in the message board days. Everyone was on different message boards sharing information about events, networking, and having regular banter. There was a message board called eNation.org, which was for all the rave events in Florida.
A bunch of people in Jacksonville started having overwhelming conversations, so the idea was born to create a message board specifically for Jacksonville Drum and Bass. That’s how JaxDnB came into fruition, as a message board registered as jaxdnb.com. My friend Chris Megatron came up with the idea and the logo. It started as a community thing, a way for people to get together, network, and talk about shows we were doing. It even extended to things outside of shows, like kickball meetups. The origin was really about the community, not just a crew of artists.
(See also: an archive of DnB in Jacksonville)
Elevating a collective to a brand
Alex: Wow, how unique. You guys have been around for decades. In a previous conversation, you mentioned stepping into a leadership role about seven years ago. What was the state of Jacksonville DNB at that time, and what inspired you to spearhead the movement?
Mike: It was very much in a state of transition, which these things do evolve over time. I’ve been involved in the electronic music scene in Jacksonville for over 20 years. I started coming to parties in 2003-2004, around the same time I started buying records and learning how to DJ. Back then, I was involved in putting on some shows, helping with funding and organization. Over time, priorities change, people come and go. About seven years ago, I stepped up during a perfect storm of personal life changes. I was reinventing myself as an artist. A couple of other people were doing events, but they were small-scale. Around 2017, I was driven to make things happen. I decided to do events on my own. The first event I fully managed was in December 2017. That set the stage for me to continue.
Alex: And is that when JaxDNB pivoted to an event space?
Mike: It was a pivotal moment, but then it happened gradually. Before I got involved full-time, a group called JKatz was doing house parties and get-togethers. My now-fiancée Rashelle was involved in that, along with our homie Tony a.k.a. Village Warrior. They reached out to use the JaxDnB name, and I consulted with Chris Megatron. He was cool with it. Over a year, things merged, and JaxDnB stuck because of its history and presence.
Alex: It’s managed to hold legs in the internet era, which is impressive. What led to its longevity?
Mike: Several key people have been involved throughout the years. People like Tim (Basilisk), Nate (Nathan Bradley), Dustin (D Rock), and others have remained active participants. Other Drum and Bass crews across the US have similar longevity, like Torque Drum and Bass in Orlando, Stamina DnB in San Francisco, Elements in Boston, DnB Tuesdays in Seattle, and Respect in LA. Even during periods when Drum and Bass fell out of favor, they kept going. It’s tied to the music’s core, which many people are dedicated to.
The story of Reflections as an artist
Alex: I love to hear that. Now, about your project, Reflections, and how it intersects with JaxDNB. Can you elaborate?
Mike: I got into Drum and Bass in 1999 while in the army at Fort Gordon. A friend introduced me to various music genres, leading to my first rave in Atlanta. That clicked for me. I started DJing under the name “Teh Cynic,” which was my message board handle. Years later, during a period of introspection, I had an epiphany about the concept of reflections. It inspired my new direction and the name “Reflections.” I shifted my musical style towards liquid and rolling sounds, realigning with what I felt passionate about.
Alex: How would you describe your DJing and production style? Who are some of your biggest influences in drum and bass, and how has your journey as an artist shaped Jax DNB over the past seven years?
Mike: My DJ style is fluid with longer transitions and cuts. I favor darker, moody liquid and minimal neuro and techstep. My production is liquid focused but neuro-adjacent with techy funk elements and some melodic tracks. Influences include (but aren’t limited to) A Sides, Ben Soundscape, LTJ Bukem, Paul T & Edward Oberon, Dieselboy, Dara, DB, and Odi. Labels like Dispatch Recordings, Intrigue Music, Spearhead Records, and others have also shaped my sound. Outside of DnB, I take inspiration from Hard rock, metal, jazz, funk, 90’s hip hop, and alternative influences like Talking Heads, MUTEMATH, Genesis, Soundgarden, and Peter Gabriel. It’s definitely influenced some artists I booked, like Makoto, who has a dance floor liquid style. I try to maintain diversity in the music styles at my events to appeal to a broader audience.
Building a local following
Alex: It seems the Drum and Bass scene in Jacksonville has evolved, from message boards to monthly events with great artists. Are there unique challenges or opportunities with fostering a niche genre?
Mike: Drum and Bass isn’t the most popular genre in the US, though it’s very prominent in places like the UK and Europe. It’s been an underdog here, often a side room genre. The challenge is capturing a broader audience and generating appeal for different styles within Drum and Bass. I aim to expand outreach and involve more people to sustain the scene into the future.
Alex: It does feel timeless, almost like the champagne of electronic music. Jacksonville seems like a great place to grow it, being a growing city.
Mike: Absolutely. Drum and Bass is a melting pot of different musical influences. It fits naturally for many people once they realize that. The crossover potential with live bands is significant too, with acts like Pendulum and others integrating live elements.
Some key recent milestones
Alex: Are there any memorable events since you took over?
Mike: The first big show in 2017 with Makoto was significant. Opening for LTJ Bukem in 2019 was meaningful for me, as his Progression Session CD was influential in my DJing. After the pandemic, Jeff Randall’s Drum and Bass nights that turned into Modūl helped restart things. Chris Kelly’s (XMSN) involvement and his Invasive Ceremonies shows at The Walrus reignited my passion, leading to my current residency at Myth Nightclub.
Alex: Amazing. Are there any upcoming projects or collaborations you’re looking forward to?
Mike: I recently signed a contract for my first music release on Rolled Up Records, with vocals by Vixen Stylee. It’s part of the Winter Vibes Mixtape vol. 3 which is out Wednesday 22 January. I’m working on more tracks and planning events for the coming year, including the 20th anniversary of JaxDnB.
Alex: That’s exciting. Congratulations!
Mike: Thank you! It’s an exciting time, and I look forward to what’s next.
Growing the Jacksonville DnB scene
Alex: What’s your vision for JaxDnB moving forward? Do you see it continuing to evolve?
Mike: I want to continue fun shows with amazing artists. Growth for us depends on attendance. I think partnerships with other collectives, such as Underground Emerge, helps elevate our events and cater to a broader audience. The 20th anniversary of JaxDnB is on my mind for 2025.
Alex: Is there any advice you would give to DJs or producers trying to break into a smaller scene like Jacksonville?
Mike: Learn the music’s history, listen to lots of tunes and mixes, study DJs, and show up with interest. Be open to feedback.
Alex: What’s been the most rewarding part of your journey so far, both as Reflections and as the leader of JaxDnB?
Mike: The connections I’ve made, including long-term friendships, my fiancé, and meeting artists and DnB lovers, have been the most rewarding part.
