Hey everyone! Man, is it just me or does this week seem to be going by so slow? What’s worse is other than my time spent commuting, I feel like I really haven’t had any downtime either. I write to you right now aboard the San Francisco Bay Ferry on my way to work. It’s a smooth and scenic commute, one that warrants you to really appreciate the Bay Area.

In my last post, I wrote about making my long-anticipated return to my website and continuing with all the different article series I had started. Well, at least for some people that read my work, I would like to think I was able to either inform or entertain them.

Anyway, I’m rebooting my featured artist series with an artist that goes by the name Sirkea. He’s a really cool down to earth kinda guy. I actually met him by way of another friend of mine that some of you may know — Michael Mankerian.

One of the reasons, I clicked with Sirkea’s music was because it was so ethereal and moving in a spiritual way. He reminds me a lot of one of my favorite artists called Kaasi. Also, bonus points he went b2b with the homeie Ocean Roulette!

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Sirkea, what does music mean to you?

For me, music connects. It brings people together, and it can connect me to a feeling, a place, a time, or a memory. 

Where are you from?

I’m from Orange County. Prior to doing music full time, I was a user experience designer for Amazon. 

How’d you decide on DJ/Mixing and/or Producing? Why?

As soon as I started going to raves I became fascinated with the art of DJing. I loved how DJs could control the vibe of the crowd and create unique moments in sets through mixing, and I wanted to try doing this myself. I started producing because I wanted to bring song ideas I had to life.

How long have you been DJ/Mixing and/or Producing?

DJing for 8 and producing for 7. 

How’d you end up on the name Sirkea? How do you pronounce it? 

‘Sirkea’ is a play on my last name. 

What has been your most memorable experience on your journey thus far?

Hearing Mark Knight start mixing in my song ‘Girl’ on Toolroom Radio. 

Any clubs, venues, or festivals you have played that really stuck out to you? 

Playing at Boogaloo because it was my first festival and I had never experienced something like it before. 

One of the most difficult aspects about being in this scene?

Waiting. Waiting when you send demos, and waiting for music to release.  

Do you feel like nowadays you can’t experience the music the same as you did when you were just a listener?

There is definitely a difference when listening to music now. Sometimes I get sucked into analyzing the music I’m listening to, whether it be the arrangement, what a particular instrument is doing throughout the track, the separation of elements in the mix, or the stereo imaging. I’ve been in crowds at festivals writing notes in my phone of things I’ve noticed while I’m listening. 

Favorite Artist or Favorite Track right now?

One of my favorite artists right now is SG Lewis. My current go to albums to put on are Outkast’s older ‘ATLiens’, Bonobo’s ‘Black Sands’, and Daft Punk’s ‘Random Access Memories’.

Any other upcoming artists and/or new tracks we should know?

My friend Steady Rock just dropped a mixtape of ghetto house remixes titled ‘Hood Anthems Vol.1’. 

Any mixes/tracks of yours we should check out?

I have a new Desire EP out on Audiophile Records. https://open.spotify.com/album/4UB4G39uTbaY5AR9qX8NHw

Do you have any cool shows or projects in the future?

I’m really excited for my first official remix to come out early this year, as well as some newer music. 

I, for one, can’t wait to hear Sirkea’s remix.

Stay Connect with Sirkea

Soundcloud | Facebook | Instagram  | Twitter

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