Exclusive Interview with Mike Gao
The just recently opened music shop Surface Noise by Sneaka Villa brings LA-based producer MIKE GAO - who has already played twice at the prestigious Boiler Room - to Bangkok. He will be supported by local DJs Slomororo (Late Night Brotherhood), Ballistic & Monster P (CMYK) and Kraytel. Expect a night of Hip Hop, Beats, Breaks, Funk, Trap and Bass Music.
Siam2nite had the opportunity to have an exclusive interview with Mike Gao, shortly before his performance at Wine Bibber Sangria on 30th August.
You are a music technology researcher, holding a Masters degree in Music Technology from Stanford, currently pursuing your PhD degree and working for Native Instruments inventing machines and apps to create music. Besides that you are also a seasoned producer creating music yourself. How would you describe your own music in just a few words?
Wavy revenge of the nerds shit with far more swag than you would expect from the above description of your boy. A Californian perspective on all the bass and club music played around the world.
What other tracks would you recommend to someone that is not yet familiar with your music?
My track, Udon Quixote from several years ago uses many of my custom software techniques. I got a free project DL on mikegao.bandcamp.com called Don’t Fake the Data Vol. 1 … It also has free plugins and etc.
What’s next on your agenda and what are you currently focusing and working on?
I am on tour in Asia and focused on surviving out in these streets. I just finished an album dropping on Alpha Pup in October. I’m working on more workshops, lectures, more collabs with many producers including one I’m about to drop with Prom Nite.
What was the best and the worst gig you ever played and what was the funniest thing ever occurred during any of your performances?
My memory is bad so on this tour so far, the best was Singapore where the crowd was smaller than the other shows but everyone was feeling the set and the energy was dope. Worst one was Seoul because I messed up a couple times even though no one noticed, and I was sick and coughing my ass off. The place was so packed because they were there for my roommate Dumbfoundead + secret appearance from Jay Park.
You live in Los Angeles. What can you tell us about clubbing and nightlife there? Do you have any nightlife related suggestions for first-time visitors?
Night life is great but ends too early unless you go to an “after-hours spot.” People can’t smoke cigarettes indoors, but often times people don’t mind if you smoke herbs indoors. Clubs are often segregated racially which I do not like. Low End Theory still going strong after 10 years while many of the dominant crews like Soulection + Team Supreme have great nights. My favorite in LA though is Spam n Eggs thrown by Far East Movement, Tokimonsta, Dumbfoundead. I played it last time and the amount of fly Asian girls at that one is off the chain. It is a monthly and they pack in a huge Koreatown club every month.
On 30th August you will live perform live here in Bangkok at Wine Bibber Sangria. Have you visited Thailand before? Will it be your Bangkok debut?
This is my first time in Thailand so it is going to be my debut fosho. My friend is dating some Thai royalty fly girl who told me she was gonna bring all royal fine homegirls to the show.
Your live performances include the live creation of beats with a MPC and you have showcased that skills twice already for the prestigious Boiler Room. What can we expect of your upcoming performance?
I’ve never used a MPC live / live created beats on MPC before. On Boiler Room I used my app that I created called Polyplayground a bit, and also have some other surprises that I don’t want the Boiler Room to spoil. My Boiler Room sets were both super old and not relevant to me anymore, the tracks I been making and have now are much wavier.