GAIKO
Emerging from the heady landscape of Brussels' collectives and club scenes, GAIKO's rhythmically volatile yet melodically exquisite productions are forged from a broad palette of influences. Ambitious and sure-footed, GAIKO infuses introspection with a skittish rush.
A dizzying medley of genres and interests, from breakbeat antics through to celestial trance and frenetic grime, were mined by GAIKO in his formative years, all the while cultivating his pop sensibility. This hunger for new, propulsive currents was instilled in him from an early age—and this quality still shows up in his DJ sets, whether in clubs or as resident on Kiosk Radio (with Gloom Club), BRUZZ, and Gimic Radio.
Raised in a broadly musical family with a jazz through line, GAIKO played piano from an early age, yet eschewed the academic track, eventually landing on electronic music production through his eager appetite for novel genres and forms. Yet, it was the revelation of Burial at the moment GAIKO started going out as patron and DJ that had a monumental impact on his development. The helix of Burial's bespoke melancholy intertwined with the exploration of music through clubs served as the catalyst for the dawn of GAIKO's tender yet euphoric productions. Parties such as HE4RTBROKEN, Slagwerk, PERRON ZES, and DAR proved pivotal, with their screwed pop sensibilities in constant and combusting play with fierce club selections.
GAIKO's first work appeared under the moniker of tsugi, with his 'Dreamstate EP' taking clear influence from early James Blake productions and a genre-melting SoundCloud milieu native to his generation. These first steps culminated in his winning 'Most Promising Artist' at the 2020 Red Bull Elektropedia Awards. Despite the affinity, it was only later that the IDM genre came into GAIKO's orbit, further catalysing his enthusiasm for idiosyncratic manoeuvres and arrangements captured by artists such as Björk. In addition, GAIKO cites the influence of Munich's crucial Ilian Tape label, the piano-led excursions into UK rave climes by Djrum, and the Belgian ensemble STUFF., who make a forward-facing hybrid of jazz-funk and electronica.
GAIKO's self-titled album introspectively explores his unique constellation of influences and interests with a quiet confidence. Having previously composed for film and TV, including working for the fashion house Loewe, GAIKO is working with the director Alexander Wolfgang to present his album as a live AV show that leans into the mechanics of theatre and film.
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