We had the good fortune of connecting with Miko Aguilar and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Miko, do you have some perspective or insight you can share with us on the question of when someone should give up versus when they should keep going?
I think once you are comfortable seeing your life fully disengaged from your passion, it’s time to give up. I’ve always tried to picture that alternate reality, and so far, nothing about it makes sense to me. Failing might look like a sign to give up, but it’s actually a sign that redirects you. Sometimes we need to fail to find the right decision to make. It’s so easy for comfort to cloud our judgment, I believe it is Failure’s job to ground us.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I got to where I am today by learning as I go. I learned things because I was either curious about it, or because there was a problem I needed to solve. One thing that I picked up in my architecture degree that I still apply today is, in order for me to effectively design a house, I need to understand how every part works and how they work with each other. This strategy wasn’t easy at first, it looked and felt overwhelming, but once I understood how my brain works, learning and applying them became easier. What I hope the world gets from my work is a collage of experiences and ideas that stirs a question or an answer.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
On the first day, I’d take them to Mt. Soledad for a 360-degree view of San Diego, then check out MCASD in La Jolla, then share a meal somewhere in Mission or Pacific Beach. Next day I’ll take them to have lunch in Dumpling Inn in Claremont, then Balboa, then coffee in Communal on Fern St., then dinner in Shank and Bone in North Park. Day 3 and 4 will be reserved for the desert and then spend the night in Julian. Before heading out, we’ll grab some Tocino Breakfast Burritos from Sayulita’s. Friday night we’ll be out and about, checking out local bars and brewery like Polite Provisions and Harland, or dive bars like Aero Club and Nunu’s. For the last night, we can spend a relaxing sunset around Encinitas.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Two groups come to mind when I think about key personalities early in my career. The first one is my festival family from Orange County/LA. They were the perfect ushers for me to rediscover my love for music. Their warmth and hospitality were exactly what I needed that time to trust myself again with music, both as a consumer and as a creator. Next is my Dance Music Initiative family, also from Orange County. Everything I know about dance music culture, I learned from them. The guidance they have shared has shaped my maturity as a DJ, an artist and as a person. Also, the song “Could Have Been Me” by the Struts helped.

Website: https://wethe.studio

Instagram: @qolaj / @we.the.studio

Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2OPKwijeJpTOUtAQMq7ozn?si=oYOgo_bvQmyjaCYSifdwjQ

Image Credits
Ash Lab, Khoi Ly

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