AGE: 29
WHERE YOU FROM/ LIVE: Born and bred in Singapura.
WHAT YOU DO: By day I run an team-building and adventure expedition company (Adventure Planet) and on the side I DJ.(which has been going on for 14 years)
WHAT IS YOUR PHILOSOPHY TO HOW YOU LIVE YOUR LIFE: To do everything with LOVE.
How did you get into music?
I started out listening to the loud music my brothers blasted at home. They ranged from house, rap and hip-hop,rock and pop and that kick-started my love for music.As for djing I remembered my eldest brother(Jerome) was into djing.He started an entertainment company and I remembered attending a Dinner & dance with my brother Jerome Djing. I was amazed at how the crowd reacted with each track my brother dropped. It was dope and I told myself I wanted to do this!!!! That’s where my journey started. I started listening to Big-beat stuff a lot and everything followed.
What is it about EDM that appeals to you?
I like the way EDM is produced, I find it intelligently constructed. EDM shows me that music can be produced simply yet it still appeals to me (makes me go ‘wah shiok!’).
Meshradio is a live internet radio show features a group of local DJs(FOR THE LOVE OF MUSIC) who come together and play music that they are passionate about. There are two main live shows, Thursday Night Live(TNL) and Sunday Live(SL). Thursday Night Live features heavier sounds, like a warm-up to clubbing weekends while Sunday tunes are more laidback.
How was Meshradio conceived?
Meshradio was started by Ramesh K and Er who had a vision of starting a radioshow that showcased music of all genres. Ramesh called on DJs from the local screen to play their music and that’s how it started.I remember ramesh calling me and asking me to do a radioshow and was super excited. I came home straight away and started planning my radioshow tracklisting .
What is the reason for Meshradio?
SIMPLE-To play all kinds of music to all kinds of people.
Do you feel that there is a need to put out the music that you play on Meshradio to the public?
Yea, a lot of listeners don’t get a chance to listen to the music we play or are not aware of such music at all so I do feel it’s important to put it out for the public and we aim to do that through meshradio .
How well has EDM been received?
People are not all aware of such music but if given a chance they are open to listening to it. I remember playing at a few clubs and people would come up to me and tell me how nice the sound was or even some who would even ask me for the genre or the artist name. Till this very day I have the habit of telling people the name of the tracks I play to anyone who ask for it. I even would go to the extent of telling them where to purchase it.
Who do you look up to in the local music circuit?
The fellow DJs I look up to think and I think are doing a kickass job are Kenneth F, EJ Missy, Anand (Presha), Ramesh K, Artihc (Firman), Cosa Nostra ,Syafi, sixx, michaeala therese and Godwin P. They really contributing a lot to our music scene in various ways
What do you feel about the local clubbing circuit?
There are a lot of clubs out there and more coming up which gives us DJs a chance to play however in terms of music it’s still debatable. Some clubs do well with the sounds they play while the rest don’t.
Many would agree that EDM is an ‘intelligent’ form of music as it takes a bit of concentration for appreciation. What’s your take, and why?
I do agree as EDM can be really “obscure” but there are other sounds of EDM that are easily digestible. This is where DJs have to strike a balance in their sound.
Would you say that there is little quality control in our country with regard to radio?
To be really honest I don’t listen to the radio very much.
Would you accredit the lack of quality or appreciation for EDM to the mundane lifestyle of an average Singaporean?
To an extent, most Singaporeans just listen to the local radio stations to check out what’s new. They don’t venture out beyond that. I guess in a way they are just lazy. After a hard day at work they would just come home and rest. No time to go on the internet to listen to radio shows. However I do think that technology can help this situation. For example my uncle recently bought an internet radio and it was easy and friendly to use. They were like thousands over radio stations and it was easy and simple to use. I guess gadgets like this really can help in a way.
Many local DJs are often the supporting acts to foreign DJs, why is that?
The way I look at it, people are more supportive of foreign DJs. Thus when local DJs open for foreign DJs it allows locals to check them out.I don’t feel negative about it I really think we should see the positive aspect of this.
What can be done to help the scene grow, and ultimately increase quality and appreciation?
Local DJs (especially the younger ones) need to put their music out more to the masses by using different means such as facebook, twitter and internet radioshows (i.e meshradio).Most importantly, we should respect each other’s music.
What, in your opinion, would make a great DJ?
A great DJ is one with a good ear for sound, is able to work a crowd and play music he enjoys at the same time and of course have good technical skills (i.e. Mixing, scratching)
Do you feel restricted in the choice of music you wish to play at clubs and party nights?
Yea sometimes I do. It’s not so much the club putting a restriction on the music I play but there’s an unspoken agreement to avoid certain sounds that won’t mesh well with the crowd.
Why is there a restriction in the first place?
Clubs aim to keep their crowd entertained and too much of a change in music may chase the crowd and regulars away. At the end of the day, money is their driving factor, not the DJs or music.
