Interview: DJ tootekool

DJ (and VJ) tootekool began throwing parties with "micro" as a prefix –– involving visuals from the beginning –– "to create a platform for minimal artists –– painters, musicians, dancers –– anyone who fits the concept." Starting at Madam Zung with DJ Trix, micro has migrated erratically all over Shanghai, appearing at numerous venues and under numerous names (microclub, microfabrique, microlab, microfloor at 2006’s popular Tourist Party) before finally becoming micropirates.

For the two year anniversary, Saturday’s event brings in both DJs and VJs from past micro incarnations but also offers something new to the Pirates Bar space. Considering every detail and adhering to the minimalist credo of "being in the moment," DJ tootekool has masterminded every aspect of the two rooms right down to the lighting itself. (They're going with green.)

When considering the life cycle of his project, DJ tootekool highlights the importance of working with friends and sticking to a vision: "It's all about friends and connections in the city. We don't have a lot of capital - we're just trying to do it with our own force. It's a lot of pressure but it also gives you the energy to just do it."

What is micro? Why micro?

tootekool: micro is the premier minimal art platform in Shanghai with a focus on micro/minimal electronic sound and culture.

micro was created because there was an empty space in the way of nightlife and artistic expression. I could not manage to find the platform that I needed amongst the mainstream hype of the Shanghai club scene in those years. micro began out of a frustration, and from a necessity to collaborate in a place where people could express their true/core artform together.

Thinking back over the two years, how have micro's events changed? Has the original idea behind micro changed too?

The original idea has always been an open concept so change was inevitable.

How important are the visual, video elements to a micro party? How do they complement the music?

Visual elements go hand in hand with all other elements at a micro party. As we work in collaboration between elements, interpretations between the mediums create themselves. This time at micropirates we have VJs battling synchronized to the music and Guido Prestigiovanni’s video installation covers the first room. Guido’s work at DDM filled the space and fit the feelings in our ideas for micropirates, so we asked and he agreed.

What was a micro event that you remember as particularly successful? Why?

There was microfabrique where feedback and the turnout of over 600 was way beyond expectations. And then there was also microlab (at The Lab) where the micro concept could be taken to a different level, the first Ableton Live (music production software) workshop in China, there were people from as far as Chengdu flying in. microlab was an experience where people could observe and learn from the processes from a very different angle than the micro parties in the night.

What was a micro event that you remember as going not so well?

microclub took time 'till it came to fruition.

What is the future for micro?

Everything is possible.

micro has had a lot of different manifestations in terms of scale. Do you prefer a bigger show like microfabrique or smaller, more intimate shows?

It really depends on the content, what it is conducive to. For example, a workshop is different from a club night. But for parties I feel that numbers around 500 generate the best environment for true appreciation.

micropirates
micro’s second anniversary
feat. Sam Reynold (Duplex 101), DJ Duo Potenciel of Paris, the micro DJ collective (Ben Huang, B6, tootekool, micrometropolice, To:be, dji), Guido Prestigiovanni (video installation) & the VJ Battle of No Signal vs. HyperVideoJammer

Pirates Bar
137 Xing Fu Road, near Fa Hua Zhen Road