Michael Robert Paradinas (born 26 September 1971), known professionally as μ-Ziq (pronounced “music” or “mu-zik”), is an English electronic musician from Wimbledon, London. He was associated with the 1990s intelligent dance music (IDM) scene and released recordings on labels such as Rephlex Records and Reflective Records. His 1997 album “Lunatic Harness” is widely regarded as influential in the development of the drill ’n’ bass subgenre and was his most commercially successful release, selling over 100,000 copies. Paradinas also founded the record label Planet Mu in 1995, which has released music associated with genres including IDM, juke, and footwork. Paradinas was born at Charing Cross Hospital and began playing keyboards in the early 1980s, influenced by new wave bands such as OMD, Heaven 17, and The Human League. He performed in several groups during the mid-1980s and later spent eight years as a keyboardist in the band Blue Innocence. During this period, he also began producing solo recordings using synthesizers and a four-track recorder. After Blue Innocence disbanded in 1992 following a performance at “The Orange” in London, Paradinas began collaborating with former bandmate Francis Naughton, who introduced him to Atari ST-based MIDI sequencing software. The two produced electronic recordings that were eventually heard by Mark Pritchard and Tom Middleton of Global Communication, who initially considered releasing the material before withdrawing due to other commitments. The recordings were subsequently taken up by Richard D. James (Aphex Twin), leading to their release on Rephlex Records under the alias μ-Ziq. Naughton later left the project to form Rocket Goldstar. Paradinas’s early album “Bluff Limbo” was intended for release in 1994 but was issued in a limited run of 1,000 copies before being reissued in 1996 on Rephlex Records. His first major-label involvement came in 1994 through remix work on “The Auteurs Vs μ-Ziq”, a remix EP for the band The Auteurs released by Virgin Records. Following this, Virgin Records signed Paradinas and established Planet Mu as a sublabel for his releases and related artists. He later separated from Virgin and re-established Planet Mu as an independent label in 1998. Under contractual terms allowing multiple aliases, Paradinas released several projects in 1995, including music under the name Tusken Raiders and the album “Jake Slazenger MakesARacket” under the alias Jake Slazenger. These releases incorporated influences from electro and jazz-funk. He also recorded under the name Gary Moscheles and collaborated with Aphex Twin under the name Mike & Rich. In 1997, Paradinas shifted toward a style combining experimental electronic music with drum and bass influences, alongside artists such as Squarepusher and Aphex Twin. During this period, he toured with Björk, whose influence was reflected in his 1999 album “Royal Astronomy”, which incorporated orchestral elements and vocal arrangements. Up to 2003, his albums were released in the United States through Astralwerks. Under the name μ-Ziq, Paradinas later released “Challenge Me Foolish” (2018), “Magic Pony Ride” (2022), “1977” (2023), and “Grush” (2024). Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Paradinas Studio albums Tango n' Vectif (1993) Bluff Limbo (1994) In Pine Effect (1995) Lunatic Harness (1997) Royal Astronomy (1999) Bilious Paths (2003) Duntisbourne Abbots Soulmate Devastation Technique (2007) Somerset Avenue Tracks (1992–1995) (2013) Chewed Corners (2013) Aberystwyth Marine (2016) RY30 Trax (2016) Challenge Me Foolish (2018) Scurlage (2021) Magic Pony Ride (2022) 1977 (2023) Grush (2024) 1979 (2025) Manzana (2025) . User-contributed text is available under the Creative Commons By-SA License; additional terms may apply.