Miguel Gallardo: A Journey from Underground Roots to the Evolution of Tamed
Miguel Gallardo
This week, The Groove Palace welcomes Miguel Gallardo, a DJ, producer, and curator who’s been shaping underground music from coast to coast. From his roots in San Bernardino’s rave scene to throwing some of the most talked-about parties in Miami and now New York, Miguel’s journey is fueled by raw passion and a deep love for the music. As the mind behind Tamed, his events highlight cutting-edge selectors and forward-thinking sounds. Now, he steps up with an exclusive mix packed with rolling grooves, underground gems, and the unmistakable energy that defines his sets—stream it now on The Groove Palace SoundCloud.
Miguel Gallardo’s story is one of relentless passion, artistic growth, and an unshakable dedication to the underground music scene. From throwing high-energy parties in high school to curating one of Miami’s most exciting underground event series, his journey has been anything but ordinary. Now based in New York, Miguel continues to refine his sound and shape the underground house and minimal tech scenes with his forward-thinking approach to DJing and event production.
From San Bernardino to the World
Growing up in San Bernardino, California, Miguel was surrounded by electronic music culture before he even fully understood it. Insomniac’s biggest festivals—Escape, Beyond Wonderland, and Nocturnal Wonderland—were hosted right in his backyard, and by middle school, he and his friends were already shuffling, battling in light shows, and immersing themselves in rave culture without ever stepping foot inside a club. But it was a Carl Cox Boiler Room set he stumbled upon on YouTube that truly ignited his obsession with house music.
By the time he was 16, Miguel was already orchestrating parties, not just casual house gatherings but full-fledged, organized events with DJs, security, and bartenders. His natural ability to throw events that felt larger than life laid the foundation for what would become a defining aspect of his career.
From Wrestling to the Decks
Music wasn't always Miguel’s primary focus. For over a decade, wrestling dominated his life, taking him to national competitions and into the collegiate arena. However, after reaching his personal goal of becoming an All-American wrestler, Miguel found himself questioning whether this was the path he truly wanted. That moment of clarity led him to San Francisco, where his world was about to change.
It was there that Miguel first got his hands on a DJ controller, introduced to him at a house party. What started as casual experimentation quickly became an obsession. With the pandemic hitting shortly after, he used the downtime to dive deep into DJing, watching endless tutorials, playing live streams, and sharpening his craft.
The Birth of a Party Curator
During the pandemic, Miguel sought out ways to play in front of an audience, leading him to a fateful encounter with a group of DJs throwing pop-up sets in Dolores Park. Recognizing an opportunity, he proposed organizing a larger event in an outdoor hidden location. That idea led to Into the Woods, an underground, 400-person party featuring a custom-built stage, a premium sound system, and a perfectly curated atmosphere. The success of this event solidified Miguel’s reputation as someone who could not only DJ but also create unique experiences for others.
As restrictions eased, he moved from the outdoors to warehouses, throwing increasingly ambitious parties that cemented his presence in the San Francisco underground scene. His ability to pull off large-scale events while maintaining an intimate, community-driven energy became one of his trademarks.
Miami and the Birth of Tamed
Miguel’s move to Miami was another impulsive leap—one driven by the energy of Miami Music Week. One visit turned into a full relocation, where he quickly embedded himself in the city’s underground scene. After throwing a release party at Hyde Beach for his track on Rawsome Records and packing out the venue, it became clear that he had something special. What started as a one-off celebration soon evolved into a branded event series: Tamed.
Initially launched as Untamed, the party series quickly gained traction, particularly at Mode, where it became a go-to underground event when Club Space temporarily shut down. With each party building more momentum, Miguel recognized the need to refine not only his events but also himself.
Why “Tamed” and Not “Untamed”?
The name change from Untamed to Tamed wasn’t just about legal logistics—it was a personal evolution. “When I started Untamed, I was living wild—nonstop partying, no structure,” Miguel admits. “But as I started to take this seriously, I knew I had to lock in. I had to be more disciplined, more controlled. Tamed reflects that shift.”
That discipline now extends to the quality of his parties. Tamed is about creating an experience that prioritizes music over hype, something Miguel has learned from his time in New York and his exposure to high-caliber underground scenes across the country.
Redefining Underground Events
What makes Tamed unique? It’s not just the artists or the crowd—it’s the commitment to sonic excellence and authenticity. Miguel is integrating high-fidelity analog sound systems, rotary mixers, and a vinyl-friendly setup to ensure every set is a carefully curated journey. “I don’t want DJs just playing the same tracks everyone else is playing. The goal is to push people to dig deeper, to bring unique sounds to the table,” he explains.
With a mission to establish Tamed Global, Miguel envisions taking his event series worldwide, hosting parties in different cities and solidifying its reputation as a top-tier underground brand.
Advice for Emerging DJs & Event Organizers
For Miguel, success in the music industry isn’t about shortcuts—it’s about authenticity and patience. His advice? “Do cool shit with your friends. Don’t try to latch onto people who are already successful—build your own community. Stay focused on the music, and don’t get caught up in distractions.”
Miguel’s journey is a testament to the power of passion, discipline, and staying true to one’s artistic vision. Whether he’s behind the decks, curating the next Tamed event, or pushing boundaries in the underground scene, one thing is clear—Miguel Gallardo is just getting started.