How did it all start?
In 1985 - when almost everyone was
into breakdancing, I was interested in DJing. It began when I saw DJ Jazzy Jeff in the movie "Beat Street" but my
interest was shortlived when I received the worst beating for destroying my mum's precious turntable with my mimic
of the great DJ. Then in 1988, it was during my first trip to Rumours Disco that my interest for DJing was ignited
again. I was so facinated with the journey that DJ Adam Low & DJ Anthony took, in entertaining the crowd on with
just records, turntables and a mixer.
What about House music?
In the early nineties, a new
flavour hit the clubbing scene. The opening of Zouk Club, Singapore very own dance music institution, with
Adam Low as one of its resident DJs. Here was where I lost my virginity to House music. It was also around
this time when I got my first pair of belt-driven turntables and a simple two channel mixer. A nightmare to mix.
So in order to improve on my DJing skills, I seeked and found employment in Concert Sound, an event management
company, as a part-time DJ playing a wide spectrum of music, for coporate Dinner & Dance, Prom nights and Festive
Seasons parties. Back then (and now) in Singapore, if you dj Top 40s, Retro and Rap you will have a full dance
floor. Thus my passion for House music took a step back.
Then in late nineties, I decided to leave my full-time job and travel to UK which "unfortunately" led me to
Aberdeen, Scotland. It was here where my adulation for House was once again ignited. It happened when I witness the
punters in Pelican Club were dancing and enjoying themselves to House music, which was indeed an eye and ear
opening clubbing experience.
Your contribution to the EDM scene in Singapore?
Coming home with
House vinyls on my back, I got a job as a resident DJ at Taps, a small pub in Boat Quay that caters for Euro-Dance,
Top 40s and Retro music fans, everyday except for Sundays, which was reserved for my weekly house music night
called "SUNDAY SCHOOL - HOUSE MUSIC FOR THE MASSES". It has got a small following, but the real joy was
that I am able to play the kind music which I really love.
Then at the turn of the century, a new formula hit Singapore, 'till-dawn beach partys'. It all started with Zouk
with the first instalment of ZoukOut. The party was a huge success with an attendance of over 20 000 punters. In
2001 with hype of ZoukOut 2, I sugested to my boss (the owner of Taps) to organize our very own beach party which
caters to Euro-Dance music fans, a week after ZoukOut 2. The initial plan was just to have one arena but since the
land area of Tanjong beach in Sentosa is massive, a second arena that caters for 80's music fans was taken into
consideration, planned and finally approved. I took this chance and proposed (literally begged) my boss to
have a third arena which caters for EDM music fans. The approval only came when I convinced him that I'll work
very hard to advertise the event and "Working Hard" was exactly what I did!
Arena 3 was headlined by DJ Ton and DJ Love from Koh Samui, Thailand with support from Janson and Kennerve from
Frontal, DJ Yusri and myself. I knew from the start that our arena won't be popular compare to the other two, in
fact I knew it would be a disaster, simply because EDM and Euro-Dance crowd don't mix but I was wrong. I was
impressed by the turnout, despite the fact that DJ Pippi was DJing in Zouk. Freedom Beach Party was
my baby and my small contribution to the Singapore's EDM scene.
When did Thailand came into your life?
It all started in September 1999. I was on a holiday to Koh Samui and I met DJ Ton (then co-owner of Volume Cafe
in Koh Samui) which concludes to a good friendship.
On my second visit to Koh Samui for the millennium party, I was DJing House to an appreciative crowd at Lazy
Wave. By the end of my trip, I have DJed in venues such as Green Mango, The Club & Ritual Beach Party and flew
home a very happy man.
Since then every three months, I would make my pilgrimage to Koh Phangan 'Full Moon Party'. Together with DJ Ton,
we would rocked the punters at Tommy's Resort. It was mind blowing. The party, the vibe and the people. Then in
December 2001, I was offered to be the new resident DJ of AC Bar in Koh Tao. It was here where I fine tuned
my DJing skills and start my crusade in pushing my style of Funky Tribal Pumping House to the masses.
Describe your style/sound?
Essentially house, sometimes
vocal, sometimes tribal, sometimes hard but always funky. I always have a broad musical taste in House which
largely depends on the club I am playing at and the crowd I am entertaining. For instance on KOh Tao, when
I am at AC Bar, I often dj more vocal and commercial house whereas at InTouch Beach Bar, my musical preference
leans towards the harder, darker & progressive side of House.
How do you see the future?
At the moment, I have two top
priority agendas. First, I am trying to break into the EDM scene in Switzerland. Second, I am building my own
small computer-based studio and learning the ropes and maybe am able to produce something out of it. House music
will never die and it always continues to evolve so until humans stop dancing, there will always be a role for DJs.
Afterall, a party will always need a DJ.
