Taste Test: Steve Aoki
Ever wonder what Dim Mak impresario Steve Aoki was rocking on his Walkman back in the day? Or which rave was his gateway into dance culture? We invited the LA electro maven to take our Taste Test; read on for the results, including new music from Riton, Mustard Pimp, and more.
Steve Aoki’s collaboration with Tiësto, “Tornado,” is out today—hang onto your hats, and check it out here. (While you’re at it, check out Aoki’s I Love Techno and Earthquakey People charts.)
The only thing we’re still wondering about—what the hell was Jesse Pinkman doing at Identity festival? Did he take a wrong turn in his R.V.?
What was the first record you remember having as a child?
Something by Tones On Tail. My close friend always listened to them and gave that to me.
What was the first record you bought with your own money?
DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince’s “Nightmare on My Street” 45—the day it came out.
Which style or genre of music was your first great love?
Mod, ‘cuz my older brother was a mod, and that’s all he listened to. This was when I was six to nine years old. He was ten years older. I was lucky, because he left his record collection to me and I still have all his rare mod records.
What was the first concert/rave/club night that you ever attended, and what did you think at the time?
2004 – the first rave event I ever attended happened to be my own. I threw a Dim Mak warehouse monthly in downtown LA back then. Crazy and fun nights.
How have your musical tastes changed since you were a teenager?
They haven’t—they just expanded.
What was the last record (or MP3) you bought?
Mustard Pimp’s album No Title or Purpose and the new Riton EP, ”Ritontime.” I always buy the latest Dim Mak releases when they come out, because even though I’m the owner of the company, I am still the biggest fan.
How many tracks/records do you typically acquire every week—both promos & purchases?
Fifty.
What format do you DJ with?
Serato.
What’s the last DJ set that really impressed you?
Autoerotique’s set in Singapore last week.
What’s the last gig/party you attended where you weren’t also performing?
DMS aka Dim Mak Studios in Los Angeles last Tuesday.
Name your three favorite tracks at the moment:
Riton, “Dark Place” [Dim Mak]
Justice, “Audio, Video, Disco” [Ed Banger]
Dan Sena, “Song of Siren (Dirtyphonics Remix)” [Dim Mak]
Which track (by another musician) do you wish that you had made?
Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody.”
What’s your favorite record from this year that isn’t electronic dance music?
New Ivory, “Something You Should Know” [Dim Mak].
Current reading or last good book read?
Bill Bryson, A Short History of Nearly Everything.
Favorite smartphone app:
BrainChallenge.
Favorite video game:
Zombies vs Plants.
Favorite piece of gear:
Roland Juno 106.
Preferred headphones:
Sol Republic.
Favorite clothing designer:
D1 by Dim Mak.
Favorite city/country/club to perform in?
???
Read the rest at Beatport.com!
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