“Back then, my biggest influences were my parents, who were and are prominent and pioneering
Alok has since gone on to release records on notable labels such as Spinnin' and Warner Music, along the way collaborating with legends like Armin van Buuren. “It was really a dream come true,” he says. The track "United" was the result of their collaboration and has been streamed 3 million times on YouTube alone in the month since its release.
Having played LIV once before last year, the 27-year-old is no stranger to South Florida. “Miami is something out of this world! I'll remember the first time I played at LIV for the rest of my life. It was a wild party,” he says. LIV’s legendary status as one of the five highest-grossing clubs in America isn’t lost on the Brazilian wunderkind either. “I know it's always unpredictably insane to play at that venue.”
The upcoming show, his second at the venue, seems to be a victory lap for the recent success of Alok’s past few singles. His latest, "Favela," featuring Norwegian singer Ina Wroldsen, is as socially conscious as it is infectious. Wroldsen's collaboration with Alok came about organically. “Ina happened to watch a documentary about the social situations and conditions in the favelas [slums] in Brazil. She was very touched, and I was blown away by the fact that she had so much of Brazil, the favelas, and struggles in her music and lyrics,” Alok says.
Because its content hits close to home, Alok is especially proud of the result. “The song turned out really amazing, and we have been receiving a lot of feedback about its profoundness even though it's more of a radio song.”
Alok says he's content with the size and prestige of the clubs he’s playing, but life on the road has prompted a change in his production style. “I have used a lot of external and analog hardware in the past; however, nowadays I honestly love the VSTs [virtual studio technologies] which allow us to make fantastic sounds anywhere with a computer and a set of headphones. It's really helpful to have software synths handy when you have to travel a lot like myself, so I guess it's a combination of necessity and technology.”
DJ Alok. 11 p.m. Saturday, September 8, at LIV, 4441 Collins Ave., Miami Beach; 305-674-4680; livnightclub.com. Tickets cost $55 via tixr.com.
