YokoO is no stranger to house music in all its deepest forms. A studio head in the true sense of the word, he spends much of his time pondering basslines and warm synth riffs that heat up dancefloors the world over. With releases on highly regarded labels such as All Day I Dream, Musik Gewinnt Freunde, Kindisch, Get Physical, Moodmusic and Plastic City, YokoO has marked out a spot for himself in the global house music scene with talent being sought after from every corner of the world.

His musical intuition drives his production and his full groove based approach to seductive house music turns heads of many a label boss from Kollektiv Turmstrasse, Matthew Dekay and Lee Burridge no less. As well racking up plays from industry reference artists, YokoO’s music has proven time and time again it can reach the record bags of the DJing elite in every continent.

As a DJ, YokoO embraces the dancefloor with a dynamic and honest approach sparking it up with forward thinking music every time. When you see him play, you can see a genuine love for what he is doing and that naturally feeds back to his audience, fuelling energy and the fever of the dancefloor. The warm melodies work with the heavy basslines to create a unique sound that is deep but still pumping enough to get a party started . . . and going way passed sunrise.

With a prolific and impressive discography, YokoO has made his mark on noteworthy labels to date with both original releases and a back catalogue of strong remixes. His latest batch of unreleased productions is an intense gathering of melodies, working with a defined sense of groove and depth designed for the dancefloor and beyond.

We had the chance to talk with the prodigy about his recent album, his relation with Montreal, upcoming music and more ! Enjoy

WWD: Hey YokoO, it’s good to have a chat with you today. How are you?

YokoO: Hey buddy, I am doing really great thank you. Flying from Guadalajara to Cancun as I type this.

WWD: So, first off, if you could just give us a bit of background about where you’ve been playing recently?

YokoO: I was in north, central and south America all of June, then spent most of July, August and September around the European continent.

WWD: With a heavy touring schedule like yours, how do you still find some time to produce in the studio?

YokoO: It has proved fairly difficult I must admit. I had not spent much time creating since finishing the album end of last year. Fortunately, spending the summer in Europe enabled me to return home every week and jam. I was quite inspired and productive over the last months and now have some new material ready for release.

WWD: You are playing Sunday at Stereobar in Montreal for the party Les Beaux Dimanches. What are you most looking forward to about playing this party?

YokoO: Playing extended sets are always truly fulfilling for me as I get to navigate between different styles of my musical personality, and therefore have a better chance of expressing myself on the decks. Stereobar is special; the sound is crisp, the space intimate, and the crowd it attracts deeply open. Additionally, I get to reunite with my beloved LBD crew who never fails at making MTL feel like another home. All of the above makes my visit to the city one I am always looking forward to.

WWD: Let’s talk a bit about music… Even though you’ve been making music for over 10 years – this year marks a huge milestone – the release of your first album “Nothing Can Compare.” Share with us why now and what your goals were for this album !

YokoO: It was a huge milestone indeed, not only in my career but in my life also. The album is a collection of pieces, which expresses many of the emotions I have experienced after meeting a woman who changed the course of my life forever. It depicts the passion, longing and heartache felt through the process of falling in love. I see this as quite an achievement and also an opportunity to “turn the page” on a powerfully transformative phase of my life. The idea of putting an album together came about as the story of our love unfolded. It was not an easy path we walked, navigating emotional mountains and valleys. Countless highs and lows were experienced. There was no initial goal of writing a long play, it just happened as life unfolded.

WWD: What is the meaning or vision behind the title ‘Nothing Can Compare’?

YokoO: The title refers to the uniqueness of our love and the personal growth resulting from it.

WWD: From a music perspective, what else can we expect from you over the coming months?

YokoO: I am in process of developing my own record label. Keep your eyes peeled!!

WWD: Tough question, You’ve released on some really cool labels in your time. What’s the record you’re most proud of? And why?

YokoO: That’s a tough one indeed. There are a few.

• First ever vinyl release on Plusminus Recordings with “Jaguar Hunter” & “Spirit Catcher”;
• first release on Musik Gewinnt Freunde, Kollektiv Turmstrasse’s imprint with “Spiritual”;
• first  appearance on ADID with “Vali”.

These were definitely some of the most symbolic and encouraging moments in my career. Getting support from respected artists like Kollektiv Turmstrasse, Matthew Dekay and Lee Burridge acted like some kind of validation and gave me the confidence to keep doing what I do.

WWD: Thanks a lot for chatting with us. Looking forward to see you at Stereobar this Sunday!

YokoO: My pleasure, see you Sunday!!

YokoO is playing tomorrow All Night Long at Stereobar for Les Beaux Dimanches party. Facebook event here

Photo credit : Alec Donell Luna