Before Steve Aoki became an oft-blogged celebrity D.J. and club promoter, his label Dim Mak was putting out records by bands that were more or less unknown outside of the insular -- and, of course, elitist – late ‘90s/early ‘00s hardcore and indie rock scenes. Then Dim Mak helped launch bands like Bloc Party and the Klaxons to stardom. Then it couldn’t really afford to support acts that were that big.  read more »

Steve Aoki, DJ to the LA hipster-elite, releases his first mix album today, the obliquely named Pillowface and His Airplane Chronicles, a Cobrasnake soundtrack populated by the Pitchfork-crowned Justice, Klaxons, Bloc Party, MSTRKRFT, Peaches, and the like. Released in part by his own label, Dim Mak, the album will answer that long-held question, what does ironic '80's glam thrift chic sound like? Judge for yourself. Here's a taste, part of a live performance where he mixes Justice and MSTRKRFT—dare I say it sounds fun?

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