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Interview Sat Jun 16 2012
4 Questions with Midnight Conspiracy
Skrillex, DeadMau5, Rusko. Yes, these are all music artists. Electronic dance music artists--or EDM--to be exact. They've all broken through on a national scale and have rolled through Chicago for various summer festival performances.
Our city has undeniably always been a magnet for national talent for whatever the hot new thing in music is. But we always hold true to our own talent, too. Amongst the sea of blazing hot DJs and producers that will be hitting the stages at Spring Awakening Music Festival this weekend including the aforementioned Grammy-winning Skrillex, there will also be more local beatmakers than you can shake a neon-colored stick at. Midnight Conspiracy is one of those acts. Gapers Block had the chance to chat with these dubstep trailblazers before their Saturday afternoon set at Spring Awakening.
GB: Tell me a little bit about how Midnight Conspiracy originated.
Mikul Wing: Midnight Conspiracy originated in the basement of Angels & Kings. We all were part of a weekly party called "Disappear Here" and between all the partying and drinking back then decided to form Midnight Conspiracy. And then things started to get serious, we put in the hard work, and here we are today. Blur the lines between work and play and you'll find yourself surprised with the results.
GB: EDM music has seen a huge explosion in popularity over the last few years and has arguably become a major presence in mainstream culture. Why do you think this is? Why now?
Louis Kha: When traveling around to the college campuses, I've noticed EDM being played in places I wouldn't have expected a couple years ago like frat parties and your normal college bar or club. People tell me that these places used to play hip hop and now they play EDM, so I ask, "Why the change? Why do you like EDM?" The responses usually come in the form of "It's just good fun and good vibes."
It remains to be seen if EDM can transcend and become a lasting force like hip hop or fade away as the latest fad to hit the youth.
GB: Why do you think Chicago has become such a huge hub for EDM music?
Louis Kha: There's a really long tradition of house music and other forms of electronic music in Chicago. So you have the old guard that were in a position of booking venues and clubs. And their passion for EDM is what drove them to take risks on acts way before EDM got popular. And from that they just cultivated a scene rich in EDM.
GB: You guys are playing Spring Awakening festival. What's the most exciting part about that for you?
Louis Kha: I'm stoked to play in Solider Field. Aside from being a big football fan when I was a kid, I remember watching Depeche Mode's 101 documentary and seeing them perform in other football stadiums like the Rose Bowl. That whole arena rock thing was epic, so it's exciting to bring EDM to the arena.
Download Midnight Conspiracy's third installment of their Dead Fame mixtape series here. Catch them TODAY at Spring Awakening Music Festival on the Da Main Stage from 6-7pm.
