In depth Interview with Decentraland performer Steve Saiko
Updated: Mar 16
Steve Saiko is a Dj from Greece who has performed over 30 shows in Decentraland. He continues to perform in real life 2 times a week while also building his brand within Decentraland metaverse.
Find out to learn more about his journey, inspiration and motivation.
A Metaverse Performer is a new category in web 3, in which artists can perform for a digital crowd in a digital world. This virtual type of entertainment allows artists to explore the possibilities when it comes to creating a more immersive experience. We see performers like Steve Saiko and I performing across venues in Decentraland, exploring creative outlets to share our passions and also expand our creativity. If you are not familiar with Decentraland, it is a "3D, user-owned virtual world built on the Ethereum blockchain that allows users to create, design, build, sell digital real estate and a lot more. There are many possibilities to explore as anything IRL can be done digitally.
I have had the pleasure of performing alongside many creatives and Dj's like Steve Saiko at the MVMF, and other events. I Thought this would be a great way to learn about our fellow performer by asking questions, so we have the opportunity to get to know them a little deeper. There is always something to learn from the people around us and these blogs are to inspire future creators. So let's go ....
What inspired you to become a DJ, and when did you first realize youre passion for music ?
"I was inspired by the fact that I went to metal/punk concerts and later to rave parties as a child and I realized it early because I was actively involved in music by buying vinyls, books, magazines and of course listening to music all the time!"
Steve, Can you walk me through your creative process and how you approach each Performance ?
"I.R.L : Because I have been playing professionally for almost 15 years now, I have more experience with decks! I usually have 1-2 events a week, so I listen to a lot of music,new releases mainly and I choose what I will play at the event I will perform at. I play electronic music, mainly techno and depending on the place, the country, the party and that's how I adjust my DJ set too.
METAVERSE : At the moment I only do pre-recorded sets and the reason is that usually the time when most parties take place in Greece where I am now is 5-8 in the morning.
So I can't play live! I hope I can do it in the future.
The process is as follows / I mix a new DJ set, then in a video editor I add the music to a video of me playing live, I also add subtitles for the venue, the project & more.
I try my best for the best result. This process in total can take me 3-4 hours together with the upload! It's not a short time, but I sure like it. "
What challenges have you faced as an artist/metaverse performer and how have you overcome them?
"I think that Metaverse has a lot in common with real life, but perhaps in a different way, because the contact with people is not so direct, although this also has some other beauty. Some inconsistencies maybe for a party where I would appear! I remember I had lost a party at the beginning when I was playing in Decentraland and after I was sad. Also, as artists with payments, there are always some issues, mainly from unreliable people you work with but you don't know beforehand, although fortunately I didn't face any serious such issue and I hope it won't happen of course.
I always try to be straight with anyone who approaches me to play in one of their events and clear in what I ask for! Also the most people that approach me have good intentions.
And some others things not so important to expand I think! In general, mine and the community's mood is very positive, so this doesn't leave much scope for bad situations, that's my opinion."
What role has education and formal training played in your journey as an artist?
" I believe that education and formal training definitely played an important role in many areas of my life as a DJ, performer, music producer!
And also later when I started teaching younger people who wanted to take their first steps in the world of electronic music production through Ableton Live,
I believe it made me even more complete as a person because sharing my knowledge with other people was something that I liked & enjoyed so much !"
Can you tell me about a particularly meaningful or memorable performance in the metaverse you've been a part of , and what it represents to you?
"To tell you the truth, there are enough of them! My first one was on February 5, 2022 in Cromuland / Decentraland with YouMack and I want to take this opportunity to thank her because she was the first one who believed in me in the initial stages and then I managed to gain more people with my presentation and my DJ sets ! A total of about 30 DJ sets in 13 months since I started this journey in Metaverse (Decentraland & Spatial)
but definitely 2 are memorable for me, 1st my participation at MVMF 2022 with MultiNft at TECHNO Stage next to top international epic names and the fact that the Decentraland foundation included me in the first line up with the headliners filled me with so much happiness that I will be grateful forever and 2nd when people voted for me 5 times and i won a big Metaverse DJ contest at Decentraland with 12 very high skilling DJ's!
The final was at my b-day 30th November 2022 !"
How has your style and technique evolved over time, and what influences have shaped your vision?
"My style and technique have definitely evolved over time ! I have gone through many stages and processes in the field of electronic music. As a DJ I started playing psychedelic trance, then progressive trance & then more tech
and in recent years Techno music which gave me the opportunity to play as a guest in many European countries too! As a producer, I started writing progressive house music and I had signed many releases on huge labels like Bonzai Records, then more tech house and the last few years only techno music with my 2 projects and over 260 released tracks, but I continue to do various musical works in slower paths like deep house & ambient music.
My technique has changed over time too! I started playing with vinyls, then with CDs and in recent years with usb sticks & some additional FX & instruments! I always mix live and never with a computer or a software.
There were definitely several influences throughout my career and from my trips to different countries and clubs that influenced me in different stages such as changing my sound or experimenting in general. "
How do you balance the business and marketing side of your art career with your creative process and artistic vision? Is it hard to market yourself in web 3 ? what are the challenges ?
"I try as much as I can to balance them better, although it is not so easy! Especially in the last year with Metaverse I have dedicated a lot of time to learn and be more active in the community!
This, on the other hand, took away some of my personal time, especially from music production, but now lately I've been doing both in parallel and I'm happy.
I have also undertaken the marketing by myself, apart from some collaborations that I have done in nfts. Also, when necessary, I will find time for some business proposal or a business idea, because this way I invest in something that will surely pay off in the future, or at least I hope so! To advertise on the web 3 I think it is quite difficult. You need knowledge and time and the right people to work with.
Challenges too many for sure."
What advice would you give to someone who is just starting as a metaverse performer?
"The advice I would give to someone just starting out as a metaverse performer is to be patient, persistent and be yourself. "
Can you tell me about any upcoming projects or shows you have coming soon ?
"In real life i have shows almost every week in Athens/Greece or in Berlin/Germany.
At metaverse i have some upcoming events & collaborations like Multinft, MetaParty & more !
Also, I have a new 12-track album ready that I will release as a #musicnft soon and a combined emote + wearable for Decentraland !"
What would you like to see different in the metaverse that would help your career ?
"I would like to see more projects and spaces with an appeal to electronic music mainly.
I think that would help a lot."
Do you feel that female and male representation is the same ?
"I believe that for now it is not the same in the Metaverse, but I am optimistic that in the future it will be as it has been for the last few years in real life, almost the same !
Surely women need more opportunities to shine and we need that !"
We want to thank Steve Saiko so much for his time, and sharing his past experiences, what he is currently working on and also what he hopes for. If you would like to tip Steve his ethereum address is below.
Ethereum Address - 0x26854a4C22aC1a9bAfE0609ce53309e60408a0FB
Steve Saiko Music
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Serena Elis - Founder, of Daydream X Sea Serena Elis is a Singer, Multi-Performer, 3D Artist, Blogger, and Music Producer. She is one of the First singers in Decentraland which is one of the first Metaverse on the Ethereum Blockchain. starting her journey in web 3 back in 2020, She's been featured on NBC news, and Mashable Magazine for her collaborations, and innovation in Space. You can find her in the Metaverse Performing weekly and working in the Entertainment World of Web3. She's also a digital native working remotely while traveling and with a devotion to creating engaging content with resources and helping other artists in their Journey.