Los Angeles based techno group 6AM cultivates a distinctive voice in Southern California that has turned underground parties into meaningful cultural events. Prioritizing Techno history and values rooted in kindness and positivity, 6AM serves an audience hungry for deeply personal sonic experiences. Founded in 2008 by DJ and music enthusiast, Jia Wang, the project began as a passion-driven risk to build something out of nothing utilizing the power of techno. Through his dedicated tenacity, Wang’s events are known for their welcoming atmosphere, high quality productions, and methodically crafted lineups. 6AM’s melting pot of diverse talent not only attracts devoted ravers and curious newcomers, but honors the past by providing a platform for the future.
In his early years, Wang often found himself on the outside of the community. Rejected by many collectives, he later reflected,
“I felt like I was being turned away because I didn’t belong. No one would take me despite trying to join.”
Rather than letting that exclusion define him, Wang transformed adversity into opportunity by launching 6AM DISTURBANCE, a blog dedicated to spreading awareness through education.
For the first nine years, Wang lived a double-life working as a junior bookkeeper by day and building 6AM by night. He surreptitiously took event meetings during lunch breaks, investing most of his income into raves, and even clearing out his 401(k) to further fund the project. Pouring his life into developing a team, a brand, and an entire ecosystem alongside his future partner, Marco Sgalbazzini, Wang strategically continued his full-time job to sustain these ambitious endeavors.
While maintaining his private career, Wang experienced several defining milestones foreshadowing the future. In 2010, he established relationships with various Hollywood clubs and the afterhour scene, gaining immediate recognition. This momentum led to a collaboration with EDC’s pool party events in 2011–2012, the launch of a festival in Guam, and a partnership with Synthetik Minds that inevitably inspired the co-creation of WORK in 2017. That same year this expansion motivated Wang to leave his corporate job and pursue 6AM full-time.
Although Wang’s determination fueled his vision, his connection with Sgalbazzini proved to be the missing ingredient. Their synergy established the bones of WORK simultaneously enhancing their individual brands.
With a partnership built on an honest friendship, both Wang and Sgalbazzini share the same ethos: community, integrity, and kindness. Together, they sought to address the missteps of the past by holding the industry accountable. In 2020, Wang published The 10 Principles of Techno, a letter that would go on to reshape the industry narrative by championing a more down-to-earth standard. At its core, it displays the true lifeblood of techno as humility and authenticity, not self-gratification and fame.
Additionally, Wang prides himself on booking artists that are genuine people. He says,
“Being nice and kind is so underrated in our scene that this is sort of our standard. If an artist is talented and draws a large following, but is a terrible person or simply difficult to work with, we won’t consider them a part of our culture.”
Subverting the inherent “diva” mentality from its foundation was his way of contributing to the scene as he placed responsibility on the promoters of the city,
“I believe the city’s main curator shapes the vibe and personality. The more we feature artists that are awesome people, the more we can influence LA's techno scene to avoid becoming like some other cities that are snobby and not-so down to earth.”
Wang’s influence on LA Techno has been a gift. Each ambivalent decision and sacrifice advocates for the future of the community. Opening doors for new listeners and artists while paying tribute to the old heads is an inclusive format to add longevity to our culture. Transforming the negativity from the past into a positive atmosphere, Wang imparts his wisdom,
“Underground and underdogs belong in the same spectrum. I will always root and do whatever I can to help the underdogs!”
The scene that does not sleep; and neither do they. All month, we are shining a light on the relentless effort, late nights, and unseen commitment that fuels everything behind 6AM and WORK.
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@auburn_sky @7isheav3n @jny0fficial @subjekmedia @marssandoval @nightmovesme
