The last time Los Angeles-based DJ Steve Aoki was in the Valley, he performed at one of the summer's biggest pool parties, hosted by Dirty Pretty and Pussycat Lounge.
Yet Aoki was seen strolling out of his hotel room at Tempe Mission Palms late in the afternoon, wearing a Run-DMC T-shirt, skinny jeans and bright red high-tops, while hundreds of scantily clad beautiful people gyrated around him.
That afternoon, the pool filled edge-to-edge with heavily tattooed revelers, all bobbing and swimming and dancing to Aoki's tunes.
The shaggy-haired hipster later said that between sets he would rather watch TV and nap than party it up with the crowd.
While his preferred activities and clothes are understated, Aoki has a strong presence on the turntables. The DJ has impressed crowds around the world, playing in latter-day raves in Ibiza to seizure-inducing "superclubs" in Tokyo.
He's also known for keeping cool company in Hollywood, with romantic or "just friends" tabloid stories about a number of pretty young things. But Aoki is also a savvy businessman who runs a successful record company and clothing line, co-owns a restaurant and management company and designs headphones for WESC.
Part of this work ethic is in the genes. Aoki's late father, Rocky, launched the popular Benihana restaurant chain and his half-sister, Devon Aoki, is a recognizable model and actress.
Aoki's latest gig will be at Myst in Scottsdale on Friday night. While touring in Australia, Aoki took a little time to answer some questions via e-mail.
Who are your biggest inspirations and influences?
Steve Aoki: Mozart, Malcolm X, Bruce Lee, Freddie Mercury, the Bloody Beetroots and MSTRKRFT. (Note: The last two are on Aoki's record label, Dim Mak Records).
What do you enjoy better: DJing parties, club events or outdoor festivals?
SA: Festivals, because I have more mouths to pour vodka down!
If you could pass your DJ skills onto a family member, who would it be?
SA: My little sister can DJ. Next up is to teach my mom.
What is your favorite thing about coming back and playing in the Valley?
SA: The lizards. When I was a little boy I had a lizard collection, but they were all toys. I used to love lizards.
You have helped launch some big-name acts on Dim Mak Records like Bloc Party and Klaxons. How do you know when you have found someone big and what do you look for?
SA: I look for great bands that produce great songs. Period. I look for songs, then I look for the bands. Easy formula.
What artists and acts are you currently working with?
SA: MSTRKRFT, the Bloody Beetroots, Armand Van Helden, Zupr Blahq (Zuper Blahq), Felix Cartal, S.P.A., From Monument to Masses, Shinichi Osawa, Weird Science.
You have a lot on your plate. Have you found any stress-relieving rituals?
SA: My friend went to a meditation retreat and didn't talk for 10 days. I want to do that. I have none right now.
Tell me about the clothing collection you and your sister (Devon Aoki) are releasing this year.
SA: It shall drop winter 2009. The samples look stunning and it will be a full collection. We'll have more information on this later in '09. For now, check out our Ts at dimmakcollection.com.
You co-manage Deckstar with DJ AM. How close are you with him? What has the company been working on recently?
SA: He's my best friend next to Mark the Cobrasnake. Deckstar picked up more artists if you want to check it out on the Web, or go to my top friends on MySpace, myspace.com/steveaoki. There's also Dim Mak Management which is run by me and Matt (Colon), and we just picked up a few as well—Peanut Butter Wolf, Joachim Gerraud.
What would you say was one of your favorite shows of 2008?
SA: The HARD Summer Festival, Mr. Oizo/Aoki/Whitey Germany tour for Levi's, Dim Mak X Cobrasnake Asia Tour, Space Residency in Ibiza with Danny Tenaglia, and now I'm in Australia on my tour here playing festivals with Boys Noize, Busy P, DJ Mehdi, Switch and Calvin Harris, to name a few.
