Techno Mix of The Week: MAIKE DEPAS (February 9, 2025)

Last Updated: February 9, 2025 (09.02.2025)

Fasten your seatbelt! MAIKE DEPAS takes charge of the Techno Airlines cockpit, setting the stage for an epic performance with her phenomenal mix!

All About MAIKE DEPAS

Italian DJ and producer MAIKE DEPAS (born Michelangelo De Pasquale) is on a mission to revolutionize how people experience music. His vision for the future is deeply intertwined with the metaverse, which he sees as the next major leap in the evolution of electronic music.

Depas’ journey into the world of sound began at an early age. At just 8 years old, he discovered Skrillex and Martin Garrix, an experience that reshaped his understanding of music and set him on the path to becoming a DJ. By 11, he was already performing at small clubs in Milan, gaining first-hand experience behind the decks. His formal musical education at the Milan Conservatory, where he studied composition and piano, gave him a strong foundation in structure and harmony. Seeking to push his craft even further, he later attended Catalyst’s Advanced Sound Design course in Berlin’s iconic Funkhaus, an experience that profoundly influenced his artistic direction.

His music reflects a blend of influences, from the massive synths of ‘90s trance to the relentless intensity of hard techno, drawing inspiration from artists like Kobosil, In Verruf, and Amelie Lens. Now, in 2024, he is unveiling MAIKE DEPAS 2.0, a bold audio-visual reinvention. His new EP, “Rave the Planet“, is set for release on February 29 via The Innovation Studio, available both digitally and on vinyl.

a Cultural Upbringing and The Road to Electronic Music

Born into a family of art collectors in Milan, one of Europe’s cultural capitals, Depas was surrounded by artistic expression from a young age. This environment helped him develop a deep understanding of art, allowing him to see music as more than just sound — each track became a canvas for emotion and storytelling.

While growing up in Milan exposed him to a world of creativity, its conservative cultural mindset made pursuing electronic music challenging. Despite this, his passion remained unwavering. His first true electronic music awakening came when he encountered Skrillex‘s “Kyoto” at the age of 8. The sheer energy of the track opened up a new world of possibilities, leading him through phases of dubstep, big-room EDM, trance, and melodic techno. Over time, he developed a deep admiration for Sven Väth, whose music left a lasting impact on him.

At 11, his father played a crucial role in jumpstarting his DJ career by securing club gigs for him in Milan. The venues were often modest, and the audiences were not always receptive to his preferred style of music. At the time, club owners limited his ability to play EDM, allowing him only a single track within a three-hour set, forcing him to rely on mainstream pop and chart-topping hits instead. Despite the constraints, he persisted, learning how to navigate the industry while balancing school and late-night performances.

From Classical Training to Berlin’s Underground Scene

A pivotal turning point in Depas’ career was his time at the Milan Conservatory, where he formally studied composition and piano. For him, the piano became the purest form of sound, and it remains the starting point for most of his compositions. His creative process typically begins with improvised chords, gradually shaping them into full-fledged tracks. His classical training instilled in him a strong sense of structure and notation, elements that continue to influence his approach to production today.

While his conservatory experience gave him technical expertise, his artistic perspective shifted dramatically when he arrived in Berlin for Catalyst’s Advanced Sound Design course. This experience marked a major transformation in his career. Under the guidance of industry veterans like Christopher Jarman (Kamikaze Space Programme) and Laurence Osborne (Appleblim), he gained a new understanding of sound design.

One concept that reshaped his approach was the idea that everything is a sound. He was particularly influenced by avant-garde composer John Cage, whose famous silent composition 4’33” demonstrated how ambient noise could be considered music. This revelation led Depas to explore foley sounds and atmospheric textures, which have since become integral to his production style. The impact of his Berlin experience was immediate — his track “Berliner“, released shortly after, was praised by Feeder.co for its deep grooves and melodic flow.

Vision, Voyager, and The Metaverse

Vision plays a central role in Depas’ creative process, and this philosophy is fully realized in his latest music video, “Voyager“. The project blends techno with virtual reality, offering an immersive, multi-sensory experience. The faceless character in the video serves as a symbol of universality—allowing each listener to interpret the journey in their own way.

2024 marks the beginning of MAIKE DEPAS 2.0, a digital evolution that extends beyond music. His transformation into a CGI-enhanced persona introduces a new era of artistic expression, featuring:

• Live-streamed DJ sets from dystopian locations like Berlin’s Teufelsberg
• Cyberpunk-inspired visuals, with outfits designed by Demobaza, known for their sustainable high-fashion collections
• A growing integration of virtual reality into his performances

With this new phase, Depas is pushing the boundaries of electronic music, merging hard techno, digital art, and the metaverse into a unified experience.

His next chapter officially begins with the release of “Rave the Planet” on February 29, marking a major step in his sonic and visual reinvention.

AIRCAST 131 | Makie Depas

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