Electro house may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but it’s hard to argue that electronic superstar Steve Aoki isn’t a hard worker. Netflix will showcase his work ethic and much more in the new documentary I’ll Sleep When I’m Dead: The Loud Life of Steve Aoki. The film, set to release on the streaming service on August 19, follows the musician through three years of his life, as he plays countless sold-out shows, produces a double album, and strives to live up to the legacy of his uber-successful, equally hard working father.
His dad, Rocky Aoki, is an Olympic wrestler-turned-restaurateur best known for establishing the Benihana restaurant chain. He once said, “Business comes number one, health comes number two, and family comes number three,” but his son Steve remains equally committed to all three. To cast a light on Steve Aoki the business, music and family man, the documentary features interviews with members of Steve’s family, as well as musicians Diplo, Tiesto, Afrojack and Travis Barker.
I’ll Sleep When I’m Dead may not be headed to the big screen, but Aoki is happy that it’s found what he considers the perfect home. “As a longtime Netflix binger, it’s a dream come true to have my documentary featured alongside such other prestigious original content,” he says. It also helps that the team behind the terrific Jiro Dreams of Sushi was on hand to produce the flick, ensuring that I’ll Sleep When I’m Dead won’t be a simple, surface-level music doc.
In his review of the film, music journalist Sean Egan noted that, “The film makes quick business of establishing Aoki—whose most famous depictions are literally one-dimensional—as a surprisingly multi-faced subject.” I’m no electro fan, but that’s music to my ears.
Check out the trailer below, and watch I’ll Sleep When I’m Dead: The Loud Life of Steve Aoki on Netflix on August 19th.
