Electronic dance music producer Steve Aoki and iconic “science guy” Bill Nye have been collaborating together on new music and talking science, according to a recent co-interview at the Fast Company Innovation Festival.
The duo have been at work crafting a new single, called Noble Gas, which will appear on Aoki’s next record. A track set to the theme of The Twilight Zone, the song centers around the fact that all humanity is made from stardust.
“The song would start with exploding super novae, then lead to us,” said Nye in an interview with Aoki, “And that means that the fact that you and I are made of stardust is one of the ways that the universe knows itself.”
Aoki, one of the most famous professional DJs in the world, is something of a nerd underneath the shiny dance-hall facade. The 37-year-old producer often uses science as a theme in his music, exploring everything from the singularity to climate change, and even co-produces music with collaborator Blake Miller (Moving Units) under the moniker Weird Science. Aoki is also fond of using his music videos as a means of exploring the scientific world, where he is able to show off his love of science outside of audio-only themes and samples.
“I was trying to find a way to collaborate the ideas of science that interests me and my music. The best way to do that is not just through music but through music videos. Fusing those ideas with the music made it more fun. It’s great to be able to use it as a tool to discuss something,” said Aoki.
As far as the release of the new track goes, the pair have yet to announce when the tune will hit airwaves. But, given that Aoki just released his Neon Future II LP in May of this year, fans of the bow-tied science guy may have to wait a while before Noble Gas hits their playlist.