In Conversation With DJ Steve Aoki

To those with an interest in EDM, Steve Aoki needs no introduction. The American electro house DJ and serial collaborator with such celebrated dance music artists as DJ Tiesto, Afrojack and Kid Cudi, is headed to Mumbai courtesy Kitty Su, a New Delhi nightclub which plans to bring down EDM’s most popular exponents to India through a new music property they call Pleasure Dome. On Sunday, October 7, Aoki who founded indie label Dim Mak Records will play the inaugural Pleasure Dome gig at The Lalit hotel in Andheri (East). We spoke to Aoki about the concert set list and whether he plans to spray champagne at the audience.

You will be playing a five-star hotel in Mumbai. How far does the venue influence your set?
The venue does not influence my set. Whether it is an an open ground or a closed area as far as the crowd is good I’m all good to play. I never have an idea as to what to expect from the venue, but I have a clear idea what to present on behalf of Dim Mak. In India however, I don’t know which songs will connect best with the audience, so I am coming in with no expectations. I will give them the entire Aoki set and experience. It will be my first time in India, which I consider to be one of the most cultured countries in the world. While touring in India, I will be filming videos, which will be uploaded on my YouTube channel.

You’re known for cake throwing and spraying champagne at gigs. Will there be any of that in Mumbai?
I’m not even sure if I will throw a cake. For me to throw cake, the audience needs to want it. It is done purely out of love. I love Indian culture and people and want to make sure it comes across the right way.

What are your five favourite remixes of 2012 (your own or by others) that we could watch out for?
There is no favourite list. I like a lot of them. But I feel now so more than ever that we are changing faster and what I see is a sort of musical harmony. I like to have the audience participate in the concert.

This seems to be the year of EDM in India, with many of the world’s top DJs playing festivals here in 2012. Are you familiar with any Indian DJs/producers? Have you identified any potential collaborators?
It has become one big EDM world where dubstep artists, electro artists and even trance artists are working together in harmony. A lot of new genres are coming up. It’s getting bigger and vast. I hope I get to meet Indian artists from different areas such as arts, music, and entertainment and find a space to collaborate. But that kind of thing takes time. I will explore the best I can.

The Lalit

LocationNear Mumbai International Airport
Andheri East

Phone022 6699 2222; 99876 03109

Relevant DatesSunday, October 7

Hours4pm onwards

Ticketing & Price InfoRs1,500 for a regular pass; Rs6,000 for a V.I.P pass