The lifestyle of the artists we follow and enjoy can often seem glamorous, but it’s a whirlwind of abnormal work hours, relentless travel, and an endless supply of caffeine. Few influencers in the music scene can manage this chaotic lifestyle while preserving their sanity and maintaining the quality of their work. One such up-and-coming star is Northwest DJ Derek Lombardo, known professionally as Sixfour. As he navigates the intense world of music alongside his college education, Lombardo is discovering how to balance his dual passions effectively.
At just 20 years old, the Washington State University junior is pursuing a degree in communications while making a mark in the electronic dance music scene. Lombardo epitomizes the modern student-artist, making a habit of maximizing his time and prioritizing his commitments to both music and academia. As he puts it, “As much as I dislike it, I have to pretty much dump all my time into school, and work on music when I can, which usually involves a few 3 a.m. production sessions. It is tough balancing school and music, and often results in a massive lack of sleep, but it’s sometimes the only option for me.”
When he’s not buried under a mountain of homework or studying for exams, Lombardo also serves as an executive member of his fraternity. He hails from the picturesque Tri-Cities, Washington, and is dedicated to making every spare moment count by immersing himself in music. “Whenever I get a free moment at home I’m writing up drum lines or trying to create new basses to make those times when I do get time to produce much more streamlined,” he explains. This relentless pursuit exemplifies the passion he has for his art form.
Lombardo’s journey into electronic music began serendipitously during high school, when he discovered deadmau5’s groundbreaking album, Random Album Title. The minimalistic sounds captivated him, particularly the track “Sometimes Things Get, Whatever.” “I became really intrigued with the more minimal sounds on the album,” he said. “Having played both the drums and bass guitar earlier in life, I was fascinated by how he maintained a groove using such a sparse collection of sounds.”
This newfound passion quickly deepened when he attended his first EDM live show, which proved to be transformative. Standing in a small club in Portland, he experienced deadmau5 live for the first time. “I actually got to see him very shortly after I heard that album. It was a stripped-down, very minimal set. I got very close up to him and his gear and was fascinated by the massive array of technology,” Lombardo recalls. This not only solidified his love for the genre but ignited his ambition to create his own music that could evoke similar experiences for listeners.
Since that pivotal moment, Lombardo has dedicated himself to honing his craft. Attending WSU while managing the lifestyle of a student and artist is no small feat; however, he has found a way to invest countless hours into producing and mixing music. His hard work paid off when he recently won a contest by StarDust Events, allowing him to perform at the highly anticipated White Winterland event in Bellevue on December 27th. He took to the stage from 7:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m., marking a significant milestone in his budding career.
Sixfour getting the crowd bouncy at White Winterland
Lombardo expressed his excitement leading up to the event: “I’m unbelievably excited for White Winterland. Scale-wise, it’s definitely my biggest show. I’m going to make the best of my 30 minutes and I’m really excited to play out some material I’m really feeling lately!” true to his word, he delivered a high-energy performance that left the audience buzzing and craving more.
Those eager to revisit his set or experience it for the first time can find a mix of his performance here, an energetic snapshot of his musical vision and creativity.
