Steve Aoki: Indie rock royalty

So who is Steve Aoki? Other than being sibling to model/actress Devon Aoki, Steve has been making waves in the US with his indie/dance sound, providing the soundtrack to mega popular Tuesday night at Cinespace in LA as well as at Hollywood’s LAX and New York’s Marquee.

Besides dipping his toes fashion with his Dim Mak Collection label, Steve Aoki also manages one of the country’s most respected indie labels called Dim Mak – responsible for breaking bands like The Kills, Pretty Girls Make Graves, The Von Bondies and more. He’s been marked as a music tastemaker in the United States, but what can we expect from him when he descends on Australia for a series of club dates? ITM looks for some answers.

You’re a man of many hats, and an amazing multitasker by the looks of things! You’d have to be with all of your different day jobs: how did the Steve Aoki empire evolve?

The most important thing I’m a fan of music! In high school/college I wanted to volunteer my services and qualities to promote anything and any bands that I loved. I had no music training, but I was in a band called This Machine Kills and we did an EP as well ad a tour of Japan and the USA. I then toured with a band called The Kills and I was the tour manager and merchandise guy. It was a huge success and it taught me a lot about taking care of each other, and producing quality and positive vibes by just caring.

Running a record label financially and physically on my own is a major task, but it gave me much more power in my soul by doing it on my own, rather than with the help of a big corporate investor or my parents’ money. I work with the bands I believe in: development of artists is a great thing we do together, and not in any way affected by big money and time restraints, so it is such a priceless source of satisfaction and pure enjoyment. We have just gone into a joint venture with Downtown Records, who are a great label that will help me drive the vision and financially take the weight of my shoulders. I’m an artist: I believe in the art that surrounds me, and I believe in the people I work with.

I have read about the ‘pickle patch’, which was your apartment at the University of California which was host to many excellent bands in the day, but I assume the creative hub for Steve Aoki has moved on since then? Has the ‘pickle patch’ evolved into a ‘pickle farm’?

(Laughing) In college about 450 bands went through my lounge room. The Rapture, Jimmy Eat World, At the Drive In and SO many more. My lounge room is a legendary place, it was so small but so vibey. The money we made we gave to the bands. I still had to go out and work two jobs and pay the rent, but on these party nights it was all about the music and giving to the bands. I am now throwing parties in LA and recreating this sub culture that is supporting the bands and keeping the ideas very relevant, there are so many things people can choose, I like to offer them something that is special and quality driven.

What is the fire inside that drives you?

I follow my gut, excitement. I invest in my beliefs and I love spare of the moment decisions. I love throwing curve balls and catching them. The unconventional, anything improvised is what’s inside me.

Did you imagine your life would turn out like this?

I just feel blessed and fortunate, I’m the luckiest guy in the world I have the people who love me around me and I am living doing what I love.

You’re a super producer/fashionista/party promoter/label owner/mega DJ/entrepreneur extraordinaire, but what project do you enjoy the most?

I love DJing, and I work in two different roles: one is for service and the other is spinning what I want to spin, if I want to get drunk and play whatever that’s what I do, and I enjoy that! I don’t do drugs to get high, but I enjoy a drink and playing what I want to play.

Since we are on the plonk, what’s your favourite drink?
Vodka red Bull. NICE!

It seems that you really have been part of the many bands that you produce and distribute in the sense of kinship?

Yeah I am very proud to be a part of all the bands I work with and look after, they are all like family to me and I believe in them. We develop high quality music and the same goes for my fashion as well. I want to produce fashion that people are very proud to wear!

How did DJing become one of your fortes?

I’m just a major music lover, and I love mashing it up. Tonight I’m Playing with Kelly Clarkson so, you know I will be playing that sort of music, but I love mixing punk with nu wave, or electro with hip hop. I love playing it all

Big festivals, or small rooms?

Big Festivals. My friends will probably disagree with me, but I LOVE doing the big festivals.

You have played Bondi for Ksubi, and I imagine it was a rocking event for you. You are heading back to our shores in the next week or so, are you looking forward to it?

I loved that gig it was the best ever! Looking forward to coming next week as well. I can also let you in on some exclusive news for Dim Mak Collection: Dan and George from Ksubi are now partners in Dim Mak, and Devon Aoki my beautiful sister who has a great eye for fashion is also joining the partnership!

Tell us a titbit about the Dim Mak Collection?

I try to follow the demand and supply model, but I just want to bring quality. We had mass attention from major corporate companies, but to allow our creativity to flow I stopped the wheels and felt I had to find the right people for Dim Mak expansion and extension of the range. Dim Mak is an insular collection made for our people. That is why the boys from Ksubi are the right people to grow with. They are family to me!

Before I leave what is steve aoki listening to, give me a taste of your palette?

Masterkrft, Chromeo, Christopher Cross, Bloody Beetroots, Boyz Noise and Uffie.

Intrigued? Reckon the Americans are onto a good thing with Steve Aoki? Check him out for yourself at the following dates…

23rd Nov: Vegasmode, Perth
24th Nov: Famous, Sydney
30th Nov: The Metro, Sydney
1st Dec: Famous, Melbourne