Pat Lok has spent enough time behind the decks to know that things rarely go exactly as planned. From technical mishaps to unpredictable rooms, his approach has become less about controlling every variable and more about staying grounded when things go sideways. That mindset comes through clearly in this conversation, where he talks openly about pressure, presence, and learning how to keep moving forward when the booth turns chaotic.
That perspective arrives alongside the release of Spectrum (Remixes), the latest chapter in his collaboration with Megan Vice on New York’s toucan sounds. Following the original release in October, the remix package features Sebb Junior and JIALING, expanding the track into new rhythmic and tonal spaces while keeping Megan Vice’s vocal front and center. The release lands on December 5, 2025, and builds on early support from artists including Martin Garrix, Jamie Jones, Claptone, Sam Divine, and Severino Panzetta.
In the interview below, Pat Lok reflects on moments where things could have easily unraveled, from DJing blind at Tokyo’s AgeHa to navigating pressure with calm and humor. His answers focus less on technical perfection and more on awareness, preparation, and trust in experience, offering insight into what presence actually looks like when the room is full and the stakes are real.
Pat Lok Interview
What’s the most chaotic moment you’ve had in a booth, and how did you stay present?
My first time playing in Tokyo at AgeHa, one of the CDJs was misreading my USB. The song I selected would not be that song, but instead another random track from my collection, like Bee Gees for example.
The CDJs were not linked, so I flew for 90 minutes DJing totally blind, basically previewing each song I loaded on one deck and hoping it would work out. My friends RAC were playing after me, and when I told them what happened they were horrified but hadn’t even noticed.
How do you keep your focus when there’s a million distractions like bad monitors, gear issues, or crowd energy spikes?
See the previous question. All that matters is the music and the crowd. No one cares what issue you are having, just keep your cool and find a way to get it done. Knowing how to use the equipment helps as well.
Have you trained yourself to respond differently to pressure than you used to?
At this point I generally thrive under pressure. I might still feel anxious or nervous, but touring my live show was infinitely more stressful and I have been DJing a long time, so it can feel second nature. It is more about how you carry it when faced with a challenge.
What helps you reset in real time when something unexpected throws off your rhythm?
A tequila shot? Jokes.
For a DJ set, over time you build up a small mental crate of sure shots, emergency tracks that you know will crush a dancefloor. That can buy you some time, and people’s memories are short, so you just keep it moving.
Do you think staying present is a skill DJs overlook, or one they tend to build naturally?
I am not sure I understand the question. Are other DJs scrolling TikTok during their sets? I actually remember one DJ back in the day playing a game on his computer during his set, which was painful to see. If this is about outside of DJing, I find that writing things down helps, and putting my phone away when I am with others.
How does your relationship with chaos behind the decks mirror your relationship with it in life?
My life is peaceful like a cool mountain stream on a hot summer day. I run away screaming from chaotic energy.
What does being present actually feel like to you during a set?
Sometimes you reach a flow state, a real connection with the majority of the room, and at that point you are on the ride together. People are hanging on the edge of every new record, and that is the fun part.
Will Vance is a professional music producer who has been involved in the industry for the better part of a decade and has been the managing editor at Magnetic Magazine since mid-2022. In that time period, he has published thousands of articles on music production, industry think pieces and educational articles about the music industry. Over the last decade as a professional music producer, Will Vance has also ran multiple successful and highly respected record labels in the industry, including Where The Heart Is Records as well as having launched a new label with a focus on community through Magnetic Magazine. When not running these labels or producing his own music, Vance is likely writing for other top industry sites like Waves or the Hyperbits Masterclass or working on his upcoming book on mindfulness in music production. On the rare chance he's not thinking about music production, he's probably running a game of Dungeons and Dragons with his friends which he has been the dungeon master for for many years.
