March 18, 2018
ookay
Abraham “Abe" Laguna (Ookay) is a 26 year old musician, singer, and songwriter. He was born and raised in Chula Vista, California following a move to Los Angeles four years ago and has been following his passions since.
Abe began producing electronic dance tracks in his early twenties while attending community college. He has performed all across the globe at events like EDC, Electric Zoo, Red Rocks, and TomorrowLand. He currently is focusing on his live performance sets, following an immediate tour.
Abe began producing electronic dance tracks in his early twenties while attending community college. He has performed all across the globe at events like EDC, Electric Zoo, Red Rocks, and TomorrowLand. He currently is focusing on his live performance sets, following an immediate tour.
psychedelics
Do you believe psychedelics could be used for benefit? And if you’ve tried them before, what has your experience been with them?
Yes I do, I made my hit song on psychedelics. But with any kind of medicine, it should be controlled.I wrote Thief after doing acid at Coachella.
It was my first time doing acid at a festival, my first time doing acid period.
The one thing I took from it was, to make a number one song the first moment should be the most impactful, which is something I did with Thief.
It was my first time doing acid at a festival, my first time doing acid period.
The one thing I took from it was, to make a number one song the first moment should be the most impactful, which is something I did with Thief.
Do you think by taking acid it changed your perspective on life?
Yes it has, with life and art. I’ve learned to think outside the box, to think about outside perspectives, to think about my vision from a different point of view.
And every time I've done it, I've been in a healthy mental state. I think being with the right people, in the right environment, all plays into account for a great experience.
And every time I've done it, I've been in a healthy mental state. I think being with the right people, in the right environment, all plays into account for a great experience.
Life
What do you think your purpose here on Earth is? And how does that affect your life?
My purpose here is to be a role model for people that don't have one.
I want to be someone that people can look up to, and to impact them by the way I live, the music that I make, and my lifestyle choices.
I always want to be that example for other people who don't have it.
I want to be someone that people can look up to, and to impact them by the way I live, the music that I make, and my lifestyle choices.
I always want to be that example for other people who don't have it.
Who is that example for you?
My father, he played huge part in teaching respect, love, forgiveness and patience.
I also have role models like Prince and Michael Jackson that I look up to musically… Obama taught me how to be a family man in the public eye.
Those are my heroes, that's why I'm trying to be that person for someone else.
I also have role models like Prince and Michael Jackson that I look up to musically… Obama taught me how to be a family man in the public eye.
Those are my heroes, that's why I'm trying to be that person for someone else.
What is one of the most beautiful things that you’ve witnessed or experienced?
A huge gothic church in Cologne, Germany. That was one of the most breathtaking things I've ever seen.
The Colosseum was beautiful too, basically Rome in general, it was one of the most beautiful places that I’ve ever been.
The Colosseum was beautiful too, basically Rome in general, it was one of the most beautiful places that I’ve ever been.
What does Beauty mean for you? What is Beauty?
Beauty is history to me, I personally attach to history.
I find beauty in the arts, anything that’s man made and beyond it’s years.
Things that have sentimental value beyond the people who created it. It's what I want for my music, for it to overpass my lifetime.
I find beauty in the arts, anything that’s man made and beyond it’s years.
Things that have sentimental value beyond the people who created it. It's what I want for my music, for it to overpass my lifetime.
Work
How do you do your best work?
I usually work better alone, and once my apartment is fully clean. haha
I try to organize everything and keep things neat and tidy because it just helps me not have to worry about those chores so I can fully focus on what I have to do.
I try to organize everything and keep things neat and tidy because it just helps me not have to worry about those chores so I can fully focus on what I have to do.
Where did that desire for cleanliness come from?
My mother taught me how to clean, organize and to pick up after yourself.
I was at a point where I was coming home from tour, dropping shit on the floor and I started to realize the emotional impact it had on me… it really just made life harder.
Once I eliminated the sloppiness, it made everything easier… clearing mental space so I can just make music.
I was at a point where I was coming home from tour, dropping shit on the floor and I started to realize the emotional impact it had on me… it really just made life harder.
Once I eliminated the sloppiness, it made everything easier… clearing mental space so I can just make music.
What are you most excited about in your career right now?
Finishing this album, and the live show Part II.
There's so much depth into creating a live show, starting with the album… creating a stage that fits the aesthetic of the music that's being played, performing it, and tying them all together to make a show.
Doing all of this at once is exciting yet stressful, but it's good because I feel like I’m doing something productive.
There's so much depth into creating a live show, starting with the album… creating a stage that fits the aesthetic of the music that's being played, performing it, and tying them all together to make a show.
Doing all of this at once is exciting yet stressful, but it's good because I feel like I’m doing something productive.
Contact
Do you have any requests from the audience?
Enjoy it! Just dance! I don’t expect applause, I don’t expect cameras out. I just want people to enjoy it.
If you don't know who I am and you're at a festival near me, stick around, you might like what you hear.
If you don't know who I am and you're at a festival near me, stick around, you might like what you hear.
