AJ AKA OAA

A.J. Wilson is an extremely talented electronic musician. He’s also incredibly smart, always looks super sharp and is truly likable. His project OAA is building up positive recognition now and he’ll be performing live again in no time. A.J. is just one step ahead of almost everything. I’ll most certainly be quizzing him on emerging cryptos, LA’s best coffee spots and off-the-radar Japanese menswear labels the next time we meet.

Tell me about growing up in OC? What were you into at the time?

Growing up in Orange County was ok, probably more nuanced and dynamic than most people seem to think. It definitely fits a lot of the stereotypes of being upper class and pale, but the world I was in wasn’t that so I didn’t necessarily have that experience. As a super young kid, I was absolutely obsessed with skating. I tried to hack it for a long time, but never really was good, and honestly gave up when I started getting deeper into the music and punk music more specifically. Fashion was probably something I started taking a more serious interest in when I was around 19 or so. When I lived in Orange County I started dipping my toes into it, but I was mostly too broke to afford anything I was trying to get.

When and why did you move to Portland? What was the scene like then? You got into photography and playing in a band right?

I moved to Portland when I was probably 22 or so. I didn’t hate Orange County, but nothing was really happening for me there so I didn’t see the point in staying. We were living in foreclosed houses in OC because it was cheap and when the bank wanted it back they’d pay you to move out, and I think I was just ready to not move around quite as much. I had played in bands before I moved - I think I went there for the first time when I was 17 just being a roadie for a friend’s band - then went back on tour with my own band around 19. I honestly went because it seemed like a cool city where I didn’t have to make a lot of money to get by, and there was just a lot more going on seemingly. When I got there I started playing bass in a band and I think we did that for a year or two and after that I think my patience with getting a band together was lost so I started diving into just playing music by myself which is when the first steps of OAA started. I liked photography before and probably had a similar story as a lot of people by taking a photo class in high school and loving it, but I definitely dove in a lot harder in Portland.

“As a super young kid, absolutely obsessed with skating. I tried to hack it for a long time but never really was good and honestly gave up when I started getting deeper into music and punk music more specifically.”

How long have you lived in LA? Have you moved around a lot?

I’ve been back in LA for 3 years now. Sort of moving around a lot, traveled a lot - mostly US - touring with bands and all that. Growing up I’d stay in Santa Barbara and Santa Cruz as much as I could. I moved to |North Carolina, basically for a summer, moved back, moved to Portland. Then 4 and a half years, got offered a job in San Diego so I did that for a year and then I’ve been in LA ever since.

Where are your local spots on Sunset?

Honestly, all the spots in walking distance. I love Dayglow for coffee - when I lived in Portland I worked in coffee shops and I still haven’t seen such a wide range of good coffee anywhere else in the country. Pine and Crane, Night Market, Gilberto (who sells fruit on Sunset and Echo Park), Stories Books - those are all kinds of my regulars.

I know you’re focused on producing now so can you describe the type of experimental electronic music you’re creating?

Definitely. I think it’s always moving a little. I started just kinda making noisy 4/4 more straight-forward Clubby tracks, but since trying to find my own space with it. I think it’s always going to be a blend of club music and a lot of 90’s industrial. I love the energy of both. I love the movement and how you feel listening club music, but definitely always gravitate towards abrasive, noisy and heavy tracks. Maybe something between Godflesh and Prodigy?

Any specific bands / DJs / producers who are a major influence?

Even though OAA sounds nothing like it, Basic Channel and Rhythm & Sound were definitely what made me want to start making electronic music. It’s still the music I listen often to this day. In general bands like Neurosis are definitely setting the tone for the world of music I wanted to live in. There’s a ton of producers who I think kill it. There’s a bunch of labels out of Greece and honestly everything they put out is gold. Vanila, Kafta, Agia Varvara and Modal Analysis. I’m pumped anytime any of them release something.

What about your latest EP and plans for future releases?

I just finished my first full length. I’m working on some revisions with it and I’ll probably release it by summer. After that I have a collab record that’s coming out on Thrill Jockey. I have some friends who make some music I really love too who want to work on some records together so that’s my focus next.

Your DJ sets look amazing! Was there a thriving warehouse scene going on in DTLA before the pandemic? Do you sense it’s going to explode post pandemic?

Absolutely. There were good parties all the time. There’s like the bigger ‘underground’ stuff and some of those are cool, but the real sick shit was at the smaller warehouse spaces. I feel so, I think people are definitely craving it. I feel like it’s gonna pop off pretty hard this summer. A lot of people felt like the world was collapsing or at least their personal lives. I think when stuff opens up I think it’s going to go off pretty hard. 

“I love the movement and how you feel listening club music but definitely always gravitate towards abrasive and noisy and heavy tracks.”

Now, you’re a super stylish guy and know we’re both fans of EG and Nepenthes, but maybe you can drop a few other labels/items currently in your wardrobe given you have some serious underground knowledge of Japanese and American brands?

I like what Affix does a lot, I know Kiko has left, but it feels like it takes some of the most wearable aspects of Kiko’s mainline. I’ve been wearing some Camiel Fortgens and love that stuff. I’m wearing some jeans right now by Henry’s, his stuff is really sick. Lady White Co makes my favorite hoodie. I still like a classic Post O’alls jacket. My everyday jeans are from this brand West’s Overalls I got one pair and dug it so much I bought a pair in black the next week.

When did you start getting tattooed? I know it’s always ongoing, but who are your favorite artists of late?

I got tattooed as soon as I could honestly. I did a stick and poke circle A on my hand when I was 15. I took a break for a few years and wasn’t thinking about it, or just get something when I was in New York. Since I’ve been back in LA I’ve been getting tattooed by Daniel Albrigo, and Clay Gibson, both are great artists and people. There’s a lot of other cool ones in LA I’d like to get work done by.

What’s your take on crypto? Am I too late to the party?

No way! I think everyone feels like that. I think people who found out about bitcoin when it was 3k feel like they were too late because when they first heard about it, it was only worth $500. I think it’s going to be the future. It’s already been adopted by so many big players, it’s only going up. The US economy is going to tank and when it does I think the value of decentralized currency will explode even more.

Favorite dish at Night Market?

Tough one. Usually a rotation between Khao Soi Jay and Pad Thai, papaya salad on the side.

Keep it vegan with some intermittent fasting and cryotherapy?

Ha-ha! Intermittent fasting is only by accident, I just can’t seem to eat in the morning. I mean, I’ve read the benefits of water fasting and I did a 4 day water fast during lock down, I liked the being in tune with your body part but it was honestly pretty boring. Vegan has been going on for 16 years now so don’t see that changing anytime soon. Never done Cryo but if you go, let me know I’ll come with.