DNIT: Mika Vainio

Mika Vainio has been making music for over 20 years using a variety of aliases, his way of finding outlets for his differing creative impulses. As Mika Vainio, he's released records with labels such as Touch, Editions Mego, Pan and Raster Noton. His most widely known project is Pan Sonic, created with Lipo Väisänen, whose work from the mid-'90s until 2009 has become legendary. Under the pseudonym Ø, Vainion has also produced for Raster Noton as well as for the Shäkö label, which he created himself. Using this alias, Vainio has explored his most minimalistic and avant-garde sound. He's also worked with well-known artists such as Alan Vega (Suicide), Haino Keji, Stephen O'Mailey, Alva Noto, Vladislav Delay and Fennesz. Mika Vainio is a skilled master when it comes to creative sounds, whether they're abstract drones or warm analogic tones.