Behind the Beat: Mako
Mako, the Los Angeles-based electronic act led by producer/songwriter Alex Seaver, is getting ready for a jam packed 2018 with a 33 city full band live beginning this January and going into March. Mako also recently released “Breathe” on Ultra records. This track is the first ficial single with Seaver as the sole member behind Mako. Previously a duo, (with DJ and band mate Logan Light), Mako now takes on a new life as a solo act, with Seaver serving a multifaceted role as its frontman and driving creative force. Mako posted a and went Behind the Beat for an interview to discuss his new track, tour, a bit the groups history, and upcoming projects.
Only The Beat: Take us back. Where was your first ficial gig? Mako: Oh man, believe it or not Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Logan and I flew down together excited as hell to play for an empty Mexican nightclub. This is what dreams are made … OTB: Who or what has been most inspirational or helpful in your music career? M: Been crazy lucky to have so many colleagues and mentors that have changed my life so ten. My manager, Richard Bishop is an immense, constant positive presence for me since Mako started to get serious. Consider myself insanely lucky to have that kind backup on the team. =) OTB: If you had to pick another career? M: Ashamed to say I am impressively awful at anything other than music. I can’t imagine what else I would turn to, maybe filmmaking…some other art form. OTB: What is your favorite track the you produced and one that you did not produce? M: At this moment I’d say the the is a tune I really love and feel proud . As far as one that I didn’t produce…there are an awful lot. This track by called ‘ is one I’ve been crazy about since I first heard it. OTB: You recently released a new track ‘Breathe’ on Ultra Records. Can you tell us a little bit about this project and it’s production? M: Yeah this was a song that I wrote a year ago and spent about eight months dialing in. I wanted the production to be incredibly rhythmic but also as exclusively organic as possible. There are very few sampled elements in the track…but the real trick was taking all these live instruments and percussion bits and creating a really contemporary mix out it. I worked with an amazing producer named that helped me dial in this last part. The reason for all this is that I wanted the vocal to come across intimate and personal…holding back from the artificial stuff.
Mako – Breathe
OTB: You are also getting ready to start a 33 date tour. 1) What city are you most looking forward to performing in? 2) What do you do outside your music career to relieve stress and the pace being a DJ and producer? M: I’d be lying if I didn’t say that San Francisco has been hands down the greatest city to play over the years. Really excited for that show at the Fillmore. That’s a great question about releasing stress, it’s so critical. I spend time with my girlfriend, get my head completely removed from music — also just picked up a Nintendo Switch =). Nice way to unplug. I listen to a lot podcasts as well. I’m a relatively dumb person but I love the sounds smart people talking…especially experts in their fields, I find I have a lot in common with anyone striving for mastery some kind craft. It keeps me very inspired. OTB: What advice do you have for an aspiring DJ that is trying to get a shot in the industry? M: Make undeniable music. I know other artists charted different courses in their own way but I feel like the music should be truly firing on all cylinders before any other step. I also don’t believe that undeniably great music goes unnoticed for long. It’s a good barometer for whether you’re ready to get out there, if people are listening. OTB: Where do you see the dance music industry going in the next five years? New technology? Changes? M: I’ve never been very good at predicting stuff like this, it certainly seems like everybody is wrong on the trends until we’re well surrounded by the next one. I’ve felt that we’ve moved away from melody in both dance and pop music and that makes me a little sad…definitely hope we return to it at some point. But change is always dictated by great new music, and that’s a good thing. OTB: What is the top personal milestone in your music career so far? M: Performing at Lollapalooza became a definite milestone the DJ career. Personally, performing the song “” that I wrote with League Of Legends in Beijing, China is a crazy personal highlight for me. It combined all my passions in one event with unbelievable people, songwriting/production/film sco
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