It was 2006 when Gok Wan exploded onto our TV screens in the Channel 4 show How to Look Good Naked – how time flies! Since then he’s hosted and featured in several high profile TV shows and worked alongside some of the UK’s biggest household names. Fashion shows, cookery shows, books and more followed, but he’s also tackled more serious social issues, such as obesity and homophobia in this career. Today, we’re here to talk about music. Gok has become one of the most sought-after DJs in the UK in recent times and we’re very excited to see his name on the Snowboxx 2023 line-up.
MSM: TV presenter, stylist, designer, chef and now DJ. You’ve worn so many hats over the years, which is your favourite?
Gok: I am so lucky that over the years my followers have allowed me to diversify my job, and wear so many hats. If I am really honest I don’t have a single favourite job, I love the fact that every single day is completely different, which appeals to all my different personalities 😉 lol.
MSM: We’re all hooked on Isolation Nation, the lockdown project that live streamed your kitchen rave into our living rooms. Where did your love for house music come from? And what were your musical influences when you were growing up?
Gok: I have always been a massive house head since my early teens. I was pretty much there at the beginning of house music, and it’s always been one of my greatest passions. I never dreamed that one day I would end up DJing this incredible genre of music and I feel completely blessed every single time I walk up on stage and get behind those decks. I think house music is one of the greatest gifts to share with the world.
Stream Gok Wan on Spotify
MSM: Did you expect the reaction to Isolation Nation during lockdown?
Gok: When I first started up Isolation Nation during lockdown, I had no idea at all that it would gain such a big following and create a whole community of Isolation Nation family members. It started out as a device for me to connect with the world during the most isolating moment of all of our lives, and I am so happy that I went online and started to play music. A lot of people didn’t realise that I was a DJ until that moment, but then after months and months of playing out from my kitchen, we gained 100,000’s of followers, and I know it made such a difference to so many people who were having such a tough time.
MSM: How did you transition from DJing online from your own kitchen to playing in front of a live crowd? Do you do things differently?
Gok: I had been DJing for many years before I started Isolation Nation during lockdown. But I have to say it was very difficult coming out of lockdown and DJing in front of a live audience again, and no longer doing it from my kitchen. From the kitchen it’s very personal with lots of chat, lots of fun and lots of humour, but of course when you are DJing from a club or at a festival you use the mic minimally, and its all about the music. I guess I like DJing both ways; I love the intimacy of online streaming, but also love the big production of a huge rave!
MSM: Have food and fashion taken a back seat these days?
Gok: Food and fashion are still very much primary jobs of mine. I am very lucky that I get to do food, fashion and music equally. I don’t think any of them will ever take a back seat as I love them so much.
MSM: What can we expect from your Snowboxx set this winter? And have you planned a fabulous outfit to keep out those minus temperatures?
Gok: I am so excited about DJing at Snowboxx. I am going to create a really uplifting, very happy, very vocal house set for everyone. There will definitely be some classics in there, but also some big sing-along moments. I am so excited!! I haven’t even thought about what I am going to wear yet. But I am going to try and make it fabulous!
MSM: Are you a skier?
Gok: No I am not a skier at all, I am all about the Après!
MSM: What projects do you have in the pipeline for 2023?
Gok: 2023 is already set to be a very busy year for us – lots of filming,and a huge project which will be taking over the beginning of the year. And then onto DJing all summer at the festivals and in Ibiza – I am so excited, and can’t wait to see you on the slopes with a mulled wine!
Buy your Snowboxx 23 tickets HERE!
