Andrew picks me up from Dolores Park and we watch two kids on a Lime scooter circle the block screaming, about seven times. They are wearing Miss Me jeans and Baby Phat jackets, and all is right in the world.
The entrance to the venue is a tiny metal door in between two large warehouses in South SF, and upstairs is a dark, cave-like room filled with fog. An adult-size paper-maché Homunculus leans against the wall and a beautiful woman stands behind a velvety bar top, serving “Saline Solution” and “Homunculus Heart” cocktails. This woman is Mikie, i.e., Dogtooth.
Mikie: I am a therapist by day and DJ by night. It’s pretty wild to have two different paces of healing and ways of bonding with people, but I love it and find both fulfilling 🙂
When did you realize you wanted to DJ?
I have always been attracted to different creative expressions and want to try EVERYTHING I can. In undergraduate (Chico State <3), my lovely friends would DJ (Perfect Dark). I had honestly never even listened to electronic music before meeting them and watching them play. I was in awe of watching them and, of course, wanted to try 😉 With some patient friends and very silly nights, I learned how to play. COVID/Quarantine hit, and I decided to buy a little dj deck to practice and waste time in isolation. I fell in love with it and have been honored to get gigs for my special little hobby.
I missed your set — how would you describe it?
Electric happy chaos! You never know what genre I will be hyper fixated on but my sets are always loud, fast with y2k remixes and bouncy undertones.
Who are your sets for?
Anyone and everyone! Although almost all the interactions I’ve had with folks who stumbled upon my set and loved it are women who call my songs “cunty”. Ultimately, I want to make people dance 🙂
Tell me about Perfect Dark, and what it means to you?
Perfect Dark is a collective of friends who are creating a community that shares the love of electronic music and the earth! We regularly donate to environmental causes because we all love nature 🙂 We are also a record label that releases some of the hottest techno around. Perfect Dark means everything to me, they truly are family and give me room to grow in my artistic endeavors.
Where did the name ‘dogtooth’ come from? (i have my theory)
Originally, I wanted to change my dj name to be a bit edgier and it was a nod to my love of fashion and weird cinema (aka houndstooth and my favorite director, Yorgos Lanthimos), but then friends started pointing out how my dog Cowboy has a precious snaggle tooth and connected it to my dj name. I absolutely love my doggy and feel connected to my dj name so much more now.
What are 5 albums you are listening to right now?
Double Infinity by Big Thief, The Teaches of Peaches by Peaches, Essex Honey by Blood Orange, Hot Meal Brigade vol 3 by Various Artists, and Voulez-Vous by ABBA
What are you most excited for right now? Either for yourself or in general?
Tbh all I can think about is the Boulet Brothers’ Dragula: Titans season 2 coming out soon!! Very excited. In other news, I am excited for the new ideas and creative energy I have going towards my personal art and Perfect Dark! A lot is coming, I feel like my whole being is about to explode 🙂 ◼︎ @dogtooth.mp3
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