Midnight Conspiracy aren't really evil, but they are some of the banginest motherfuckers in Chicago's EDM scene. Back home, they're known for their killer parties, bass heavy sets, and dark-themed clothing line.
Now, Mikul Wing and Louis Kha are hitting the road armed with backpacks full of bangers and a 15-foot Illuminati light pyramid specially designed to blow minds, and they've got their eye set on Miami.
They'll be turning on the bright lights at Grand Central this Saturday, but we caught up with the guys between pit stops to get the skinny on drugs, evil doers, and glorious diner food.
Crossfade: Miami just celebrated 14 years of Ultra Fest, which you've played before. What do you think about Madonna's recent statement at Ultra and the subsequent conversation
in the scene about the drugs vs. the music?
Wing: I don't think it's very cool of her. I just feel like she's trying to jump on the bandwagon of EDM, which I guess is cool (because it broadens the fan base) ... I just don't like how she is trying to gain popularity by exploiting the drug. I'm all for drug use in the scene but there's no need to exploit it or just try to be cool by advertising that. It's just a part of it. Whatever.
Kha: It's difficult to separate the drugs from the electronic
music. That's just, kind of the way it is.
What do you think
about her attempt at dance music on this album. Have you listened to it?
Wing: I stopped listening to Madonna at "Like A Prayer."
But if she hit you up for a song, would you do it?
Wing: I mean, I'm a big fan of Madonna. She had the whole bad
girl image when she was young, and the fact that she's, like, 50 and still
trying to do that is not very cool. It's probably just her agents and the
people around her telling her what to say.
Let's talk about your own music. Over time, you've gotten bassier. Are you big fans of the bass revival, dubstep craze?
Kha: The whole scene has changed pretty much since 2007, 2008.
What was considered a banger would be chill music now. And I think it's really
tough to get harder and harder as each year goes by, it just gets crazy and
raunchier to the point where it's just like, where does it stay? Dubstep. But I
think it's cool.
What's the best and worst part about being out on the road?
Wing: Fucking up my sleep schedule a lot, not having my own bed
to sleep in, my comfort zone, that's the worst thing.
Kha: We [went] to Kentucky a couple days ago and none of us in
this van have showered since then.
Wing: Most fun is you meet a lot of cool and interesting people
on the road, different food on the road.
Kha: Yeah, you know, the southeast you have the Waffle Houses,
the southwest is all In-N-Out Burgers ... each region has its own.
So your favorite part of being on the road is the fast food?
Kha: Pretty much. Yesterday we were in Vancouver, and in a
couple hours we tried, like, four or five different Asian spots, just sampling.
Wing: We've only had one Waffle House so far this trip. We hope
to have 10 by the time we get back to Chicago.
You guys use a lot of dark imagery. Do you wish you were Illuminati?
Kha: No. It's more to try and expose them for what they are, rather
than us being sympathizers. It's not so much a warning but more to get people
to pay attention. The New World Order.
What are some conspiracy theories you buy in to?
Kha: I think in general it's not conspiracies, but the natural
state of governmental bodies and man's desire to rule over other men, is what
people should be fearful of. Take a country like the United States, starting
out as a land of the free and just slowly heading down the road toward fascism.
EDM with a message. Do you think enough people get that message from you guys?
Kha: Um, no, for the most part we just like to party. But I
have my own opinions, but I don't try to overwhelm people with it. Just more
something fun to do on the side.
Hold on, we just got to waffle house. I'm gonna get the All
Star Special. Eggs, grits, dried toast, bacon, ham, sausage, coffee. You can
add a coffee for $1.45, but you get all this for the low, low price of $6.75.
You need to contact them about becoming sponsors.
Wing: Honestly, I'd rather be sponsored by Vita Coconut. It's
awesome.
Kha: We did a gig in South America, that's how those people
can party so hard. Acai and coconut water. No hangovers, ever. You can wake up
the next day and start drinking more.
What do you like to
do for fun when you're not the party?
Kha: I pretty much just like being a chameleon wherever I go.
When we're in Kentucky, we're making fried chicken, fried okra.... and when we go
to Miami... what do people do in Miami? Lay on the beach, listen to big room
house, pop champagne in the club.
Anything you'd like
to say to the people of Miami before you get here?
Kha: We're just really pumped. This is the first time were
bringing the eye out of Chicago.
Wing: It's a very grass roots sort of creation. We designed it,
friends of ours welded it ... we're excited to showcase it to people.
Kha: When you make it yourself, it's much more gratifying in
the end ... Let your readers know that we're more than just waffle house aficionados
... The lasers, the music, we love it all.
Midnight Conspiracy. Saturday, April 7 at 10 a.m., Grand Central (697 N Miami Ave, Miami). Tickets are $15 plus fees on Flavorus. Call (305) 377-2277 or visit grandcentralmiami.com.
