027 - Teak Makai
earworm027
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Specifications
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17/09/23
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earworm027 ~ Specifications ~ 17/09/23 ~
Southern California-based Teak Makai is a lifetime musician who aims to personify his passion by producing and curating body moving grooves.
He is a self taught guitarist and pianist who moved into dance music production at the start of his teenage years.
Since his international debut at ADE in 2019, Teak’s diverse sound has gained the attention of ears around the world.
His discography runs deep with releases stretching from Italy’s Let’s Techno Records to Romanian powerhouse Zebra Rec.
He was born and raised in Southern California, where he currently resides and works tightly with his home label, True House LA.
Interview
What’s your ideal breakfast?
Strawberries, Blueberries, light toast with peanut butter, and a ton of water.
What was the first record (or CD) you ever bought?
My first record was GEN-Y - Saturn Flow
What’s your musical guilty pleasure?
I am in a serious bluegrass phase, exclusively practicing harmonica and banjo
Does your alias have a backstory?
No alias, my dad was a carpenter in Hawaii for many years and he used Teak wood a lot. Teak Makai Zachary is my full name.
What’s the best thing you’ve ever got for free? (not a gift/present)
Advice on seeing the bigger picture from a cab driver in Croatia
Do you have a party trick?
I can spin a ball on almost anything (my finger, pencil, spoon, etc)
What’s your current rotation of non-dance music?
Lots of 90’s boom bap with some late 70’s trippy rock, like The Police, Blue Oyster Cult, Rush
Where's your current favourite place(s) in the world (and why)?
There is still a lot of world for me to explore, but Peru was an amazing place to experience. Berlin will always be special as well, of course.
Any other passions besides music?
I am a crafty guy, I love to make things. I like to skate and snowboard, but it is all in the spirit of music. I rarely think of anything else
What’s something you’re proud of about yourself?
I was lucky and found out what I want to do for the rest of my life at a very young age, I have been doing it ever since.
Describe your Earworm mix
I have been wanting to do a mix like this for a long time. It is very experimental and abstract in transitions and BPM, which allows me to showcase different techniques than normal. There is a lot of mashing, scratching, and jumping between two turntables and two CDJs. This is a story I haven’t been able to tell yet, very humbled and excited for a chance to share.
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Duke Ellington and His Orchestra - Night Creature (Second Movement): Stalking Monster
Lulu Mushi - Moon Funk
Gil Scott-Heron - Revolution Will Not Be Televised
Earth Leakage Trip - The Awakening
Radio Trip - Schoolmaster’s Theme
Greyboy - Greys Groove
Vakula - Untitled
Unknown - Riders on the Storm
Thomas J., Krichen O. - Confidence
Teak Makai - (Unreleased)
S. Moreira - Empty Your Mind
Jimpster - Bad Hair Blues
Morcheeba - On the Rhodes Again
Esthero - O.G. Bitch
Frederic Chopin - 24 Preludes op. 28
Fila Brazillia - Heil Mickey
Teak Makai - The Dining Room
follow Teak Makai:
soundcloud / instagram / bandcamp