The insulting riches of Bangkok’s party scene exist thanks in no small part to the army of DJs who organize, promote and rock the living hell out of the city’s nightlife. In “Hang the DJ,” Coconuts gives you a chance to get acquainted with some of the capital’s better beatsmiths.
How did you get into DJ-ing?
I first started to mix about 12 years ago with my best friend Glenn back in the UK. There were two of us originally in Type 1 and within a year we found ourselves playing at many of London’s infamous venues and gaining residencies at clubs such as The End (Layo / Mr. C’s Club), The Cross, The Fridge and many more.
Unfortunately, Glenn had to retire back in 2008, which was very sad. It was because of tinnitus (ringing in the ears) due to high volume monitoring in the studio and in clubs. So be warned, fellow DJs, to protect your ears and keep the monitoring volume at a minimum.
Producing was a natural progression from DJing and I started to fool around in the studio about seven years ago, but it wasn’t until I went to university to study a degree in music production that I felt confident to send my productions out to labels. Since then, I have produced and remixed over 60 records which can all be found on my artist page on Beatport.
Right now, I’m also working in the studio on a new sound under my house alias, Radio Rental, and I am making house tracks that have a UK garage sound to them, very different from the tech house sound that I have produced under Type 1.
Describe the music you play in five words.
Ballsy Underground Bass Rattling House
What’s the most fun you’ve ever had at a gig? Give us all the ugly details.
Oh, that’s a really tough one as there has been so many. The highlight back in London has to be my first set at The End. The crowd was jumping around like looneys and it’s still the best sound system I’ve ever played on! In Thailand, I recently played a boat party in Koh Phangan with my label partner, Cello DJ, which was off the hook. It was such a great day and very funny at first. We played on the top deck and it was very windy, they had put up a gazebo over the decks in case of rain. Within five minute the whole thing collapsed of course but we didn’t stop playing.
Cello held it up whilst I was playing until they could take it down. The crowd was up for it all day in the surroundings of paradise!
What’s your favorite venue to play in Bangkok?
It definitely has to be Glow Nightclub. I love playing in this imitate venue, and if I’m not playing I can usually be found there at some point over the weekend. I am also currently promoting a night there called “London Underground,” bringing real underground house music to Bangkok on a Thursday night twice a month. I also really liked Grease, the sound system is great and I played there for the first time last week.
Which track are you most excited about right now?
Justin Martin & Eats Everything – “Feather Fight.” It’s an absolute bass house monster!!
Trap music: yea or nay?
Not for me!!
______ always packs the dance floor.
I have a new favorite track almost every week at the moment, so much good stuff coming out, but a classic that I have been playing for years and still do is Gat Decor – “Passion.” It’s almost 20 years old and still gets a huge reaction.
What’s one song you have played before but will never, ever play again?
Oh god, what a question. I guess I’ll reveal my earlier cheesy side. When I was younger and first started to buy records I bought a hard house remix of Venga Boys – “Uncle John From Jamaica.” That was thrown in the skip a long time ago.
What’s the best way for someone to get you to play their request?
I don’t usually do request because most of the time it’s people requesting a genre or a cheesy pop song that I would never play, but occasionally I get asked from people that know the score and if I can see it fitting in my sets I’ll play it.
What shows/residencies do you have lined up?
I recently just got back from a two-week tour of the east coast islands so this month I am concentrating on producing new music but there are still a few gigs in the mix.
