Los Angeles-based DJ and producer Pilo started producing around 2010, using Ableton.
"After school, I’d dive into Ableton, spending hours watching YouTube tutorials and experimenting until late at night," he says." This was during SoundCloud’s early days, where you’d share 15-20 second previews and connect with producers directly. I met a lot of friends that way—some of whom are still friends today. One key connection was with a Belgian group called ‘Ego Troopers.’ We used to chat on Skype, and they introduced me to Harvard Bass, who eventually took me on as his protégé. That led to connections with Turbo Recordings and Boys Noize Recordings."
"Around the same time, I was DJing side rooms at Avalon in L.A., earning practically nothing but gaining essential experience," he continues. "A lot of my friends got their break there, spinning sets on CDs. Things picked up in 2013 when I started touring with Boys Noize Records, and that’s when everything started to feel more serious. Now, my latest album G.L.A.M. is a culmination of those early influences and connections. Released with Boys Noize Records, it feels like bringing everything full circle. The album captures the energy and vibe of those early SoundCloud days while pushing my sound into something fresh and bold. With tracks like Girls Rule the World, G.L.A.M. celebrates the raw, fun side of electronic music. Performing it live is surreal—I’m seeing myself really blossom in ways I used to only dream about when I was younger. It’s amazing to be at this point, sharing something so personal with the fans in real-time."
Pilo says that his sound has evolved a lot over the years.
"I’ve always been drawn to experimentation, pushing sounds to a place where it’s hard to pinpoint their exact origin," he says. "Recently, I’ve found myself connecting deeply with sounds I grew up on and cherish—post-punk, alternative, and electroclash. Influences like The Normal, Fischerspooner, Felix Da Housecat, Miss Kittin, and Fad Gadget were all foundational for me. What’s important to me is translating those influences through an abstract lens. I don’t just want to copy a style; I want to process it in my own way and deliver it with raw feeling. This recent album, G.L.A.M., is a testament to that approach. It’s a challenge to write music that feels raw yet has a certain appeal—sexy, full of groove, and maybe even a hint of pop."
His latest release is the G.L.A.M. album.
"It dives deep into my roots—channeling my early love for Electroclash and Post-Punk, all seen through an abstract lens," he says. "It’s a bold, gritty journey of self-seduction and personal discovery. Over the past two years, I found myself reconnecting with my childhood. My father played a big role in shaping the sound of this album; he’s a huge reason why it reflects early 2000s electroclash, indie bloghaus, and post-punk/alternative vibes without sounding dated. I love the challenge of blending nostalgia into something fresh, reintroducing ideas in ways that push the genre forward. A core part of G.L.A.M. was stepping into the spotlight—using my own voice, writing lyrics, and creating impactful song structures. I wanted to move beyond vocal samples and really focus on original hooks, ideas, and lyrics that make each track resonate."
As for gear: "Ableton is essential to my creative flow—it’s the software that can keep up with my thought patterns and sound exploration. For hardware, Elektron gear is a favorite; I’ve used many of their machines over the years, but recently, the Syntakt and Digitakt mk2 have been central to my setup. I’m also a huge fan of external FX, especially vintage FX boxes, with the Zen delay being a standout. A plugin that’s become really important for me is Scaler 2. It’s helped me dive deeper into melody and chord writing, making music theory feel approachable and fun, which keeps the creative process flowing.?
Looking ahead, Pilo has plenty planned for the coming months.
"Last Wednesday (11/13), I released a mini-film for G.L.A.M., created with my friend Alex Orea," he says. "It dives deeper into the album’s concept, giving a visual layer to the story. I’ve also remixed the whole album live, which I’m excited to bring on tour. Last Thursday (11/14), we threw a release party where I performed the entire album live. And this week, I’ll be sharing a live performance video as well. Looking into 2024 and 2025, I’m focused on bringing G.L.A.M. to as many stages as possible, letting people experience it in a live setting."
