MAIKE DEPAS, a boundary-pushing figure in the Hard Techno Scene, is revolutionizing the essence of techno through his innovative blend of hard beats and cyberpunk aesthetics. With a background and focus rooted in 3D art and fashion, MAIKE DEPAS 2.0 emerges as a beacon of futurism, transcending conventional artistic norms to craft a mesmerizing audio-visual experience. Influenced by the pulsating rhythms of the 1990s trance scene and contemporary techno luminaries like Kobosil and Amelie Lens, MAIKE carves out his unique sonic identity, reshaping the hard techno genre with his innovative flair.

From the vibrant club scene of Milan to the underground world of Berlin, MAIKE‘s journey has profoundly shaped his artistic evolution. It was in Berlin’s techno mecca where he found his community, solidifying his commitment to the genre and laying the foundation for his future sonic endeavors. With ‘Rave the Planet’, MAIKE invites listeners on a transcendent sonic voyage, exploring themes of unity and interconnectedness. As he continues to push the boundaries of electronic music, MAIKE remains grounded in his artistic vision, navigating the ever-changing landscape with authenticity and innovation. Excited by the endless possibilities that emerging technologies offer, he envisions a future where art and technology converge, opening new avenues for creative expression and collaboration. Check out our interview with him below:

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Classic Entourage Magazine: Your upcoming EP, ‘Rave the Planet’, seems to be a significant part of your transition into MAIKE DEPAS 2.0. Can you tell us more about the concept behind this audio-visual makeover and how it reflects your evolution as an artist?

MAIKE DEPAS: Rave The Planet EP is the manifesto of my new sound that you will hear during the next years. I have always been into 3D art and fashion, and I decided to combine them by creating my unique sound and character, MAIKE DEPAS 2.0. The evolution to achieve this result of self-awareness of my artistic concept was a development that took more than two years; but now I am finally ready to ignite the dance floors with a powerful combination of unique hard techno sound and futuristic visual experience.

CE Mag: You’ve mentioned being inspired by both the pounding hard techno scene and cyberpunk aesthetics. How do you see these two worlds intersecting in your music and visual style?

MAIKE DEPAS: Hard techno and cyber punk aesthetics in my music can be perceived by the use of different musical elements that resemble dystopic and futuristic atmosphere; my 3D-videos emphasize this divorce from the reality and entrance into another dimension made of my own hard techno music and futuristic visual elements.

CE Mag: Could you elaborate on some specific influences from the 1990s trance scene and contemporary techno artists like Kobosil, In Verruf, and Amelie Lens that have shaped your sound and aesthetic?

MAIKE DEPAS: Techno and trance from the 1990s and early 2000s by the Dutch and Belgian artists have had a huge impact on me since I was kid and later helped me sculpt my own sound. If I had to name one particular track that strongly influenced my musical taste, it would be ‘Strange World’ by Push. Contemporary artists like Kobosil, In Verruf or Amelie lens gave me a new perception on the music I was creating… I didn’t know I was making hard techno until I heard them. After this epiphany, I finally found the place I belong in the techno scene.

CE Mag: The press release mentions your fascination with the metaverse and how it’s poised to revolutionize the music experience. How do you envision this transformation unfolding, and what role do you see yourself playing in this future landscape?

MAIKE DEPAS: Metaverse will be a new landscape in many different sectors, and entertainment is certainly one of them. These new technologies should be seen as an enormous possibility for the artists to present their sonic world to the audience through the use of 3D videos combined with music. In the future, I see myself continuing as a hard techno DJ and producer, playing at clubs and festivals, and trying to ignite the audience with hard techno music and futuristic visuals.

“Berlin gave me the opportunity to have a first-hand experience of real club life and start building the foundation for my own sonic blueprint.“

MAIKE DEPAS

CE Mag: Your use of Demobaza’s cyberpunk-inspired outfits is intriguing. What drew you to them and how do you feel these outfits enhance your performances and overall artistic expression?

MAIKE DEPAS: During the past year I was searching for the best designer that embodies all the characteristics of my new artistic project and that could have a sort of unique style. After a long process of researching different fashion brands related to avant-garde, I came into contact with Demobaza and it was love at first sight; these outfits enabled myself to connect my heavy, hard techno sound with the 3D dystopian, futuristic world that I am creating around my character. The prime example of that can be seen on my latest Essentials Mix Vol. 8 shot at Teufelsberg in Berlin which established my fashion line for 2024.

CE Mag: In your journey from being a DJ in Milan to immersing yourself in Berlin’s club culture, how have these different environments influenced your artistic vision and sound?

MAIKE DEPAS: I started out as a DJ when I was really young in Milan, playing in small clubs just for the love of techno. Time was passing and I realised that people were much more into mainstream sound than techno. My turning point came in 2021 when I moved to Berlin where I got initiated into the real techno club culture – it was the first time I felt being part of a community of real techno enthusiasts. Milan was a really important starting point for my career as a DJ and producer because I had the opportunity to understand that my sonic path was the one of hard techno; Berlin gave me the opportunity to have a first-hand experience of real club life and start building the foundation for my own sonic blueprint.

CE Mag: With the release of ‘Rave the Planet’, what do you hope listeners will take away from the EP in terms of both sonic experience and thematic exploration?

MAIKE DEPAS: I hope that listeners will take away from the EP the meaning behind the word ‘planet’ in terms of thematic exploration: we are the planet, the community where each member of our community reflects one another. The sonic experience inside ‘Rave The Planet EP’ is the manifesto of my sound and the one that I will develop in the near future.

CE Mag: The idea of transitioning from a flesh-and-blood individual into a mysterious CGI character is quite innovative. Can you share more about this transformation process and what it means for your identity as an artist?

MAIKE DEPAS: The main idea behind MAIKE DEPAS 2.0 was to create a new character from another dimension, an artist identity that could embrace the full audio-visual scope of my entire artistic production. The goal is to bring this mysterious CGI character from my 3D videos – produced in collaboration with famous graphic artists in 2024 – into reality. This transformation is already happening around my aesthetics from the outfits that I will be wearing in gigs around Europe to the essential mixes live streamed from futuristic looking locations.

CE Mag: As you continue to push boundaries with your music and visual presentation, what are some key elements you believe are essential for staying true to your artistic vision while also adapting to new technologies and trends?

MAIKE DEPAS: The key elements I personally believe are essential for staying true to my artistic vision while adapting new technologies and trends are mainly related to the internal script of the character – just being myself, always! I’m an independent artist so I don’t have any pressure from outside; the only obligation I have is to be able to judge whether my music is good or not.

CE Mag: Looking ahead, what excites you the most about the future of electronic music, particularly within the context of emerging technologies like virtual reality, augmented reality, and the metaverse?

MAIKE DEPAS: What excites me the most about the future of electronic music combined with the augmented reality is the possibility to work in the studio with different workflows; this may help to open a new boundary in composing and making electronic music or the possibility to work with different producers simultaneously for one project would be brilliant. In the next few years there will be a large number of different users from the different artistic sectors who will choose this hardware for their personal necessity.

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