Steve Aoki (Photo courtesy MSO PR)
I never set out to meet Steve Aoki.
But one day in June a few years ago, I found myself at Terminal 5 in New York City, happily shaking hands with the energetic house musician.
You see, Steve was just so damn authentic and earnest, I was immediately impressed with his attitude. I was there by invitation of Duran Duran, who were collaborating with Steve on a house version of their popular hit “Hungry Like the Wolf.” On my way upstairs at Terminal 5 to see the band, Yasmin and I ran across Steve, who was fervently greeting admirers as they clamored for a handshake or a picture or an autograph. Steve was determined to make sure no one was left out, and he was positively gracious in the face of activities that could have made other artists sour.
Well, on that day on June 20, 2012, we took in Steve Aoki’s very entertaining stage show. As that was some time ago, it’s fortuitous that Steve is on tour once again, hitting Echostage on Sunday, May 29, with new material.
Among that new material is a collaboration between Steve Aoki and Felix Jaehn with featured vocals by Adam Lambert for a song titled “Can’t Go Home” for Ultra Music. Watch the official video, featuring model Eryn Krouse and a monkey, for “Can’t Go Home” on YouTube:
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uA3ttXhRBYU]
Recently, Steve Aoki released his second artist album NEON FUTURE I, on Sept. 30, 2014 via Dim Mak/Ultra Music, and the album features his Gold-certified single “Delirious (Boneless)” with Chris Lake and Tujamo featuring Kid Ink, “Born to Get Wild” featuring will.i.am, and “Rage the Night Away” featuring Waka Flocka Flame.
He released the second part of the Neon Future album, NEON FUTURE II, on May 12, 2015, and it features collaborations with Linkin Park, Matthew Koma, Snoop Lion, Rivers Cuomo, and NERVO, along with a spoken word bit by director JJ Abrams.
Steve will hold down the fort without these collaborators at Echostage, of course, but the man is a born entertainer, so be prepared to come and dance until you drop.
Steve Aoki
w/ Rain Man
Echostage
Sunday, May 29
Show @9pm
$30
18+