Exclusive Interview with DJ Dezz
Being very much a part of the dance scene since his teen years has definitely helped much in cultivating his knowledge and preference for playing his own fusion and eclectic sound that can be described as deep, progressively melodic and techy to permanently engraving his name into the industry and becoming a familiar face behind the decks of some of the finest clubs around Malaysia such as Zouk, Velvet Underground, Maison, Nouvo, Sugar, Espanda, Pure Bar, Marketplace and outdoor events like Transit 50 hours non-stop New Year Party. As he continues to blur the line in between genres, he travels abroad playing at the legendary Full Moon Party at Koh Phangan and Koh Samui in Thailand, Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi in Vietnam and Melbourne in Australia.
Siam2nite had the opportunity to have an exclusive interview with DJ Dezz, shortly before his performance at Siam@Siam Design Hotel - alongside his fellow countryman DjK - on 31st May.
How did you get in touch with electronic dance music in the first place? When did you start to DJ and what made you start?
I’ve started clubbing when I was really really young but not until sometime during the late 90’s when I found this legendary club in KL called ‘Backroom’ playing some of the most amazing underground music, that’s when I found my interest in EDM. I never thought about DJ-ing during that time, not until I met my best friend, Victor G, one of the best DJ in KL where I always followed him to his gigs and party together all the time. One day I just came up with the idea to give a go on the decks, I seek advices from Victor and got addicted to the art of mixing ever since.
JUICE MAGAZINE said about your music selection that it’s "raw, dirty and fresh". How would you describe your music in just a few words?
Just HOUSE & TECHNO
You have been ranked 2nd runner up in the Heineken Juice Magazine DJ Quest 2006 and also secured a place in the Pioneer Digital DJ Battle Final in December 2006 in Malaysia. What have you been up to since those contests?
Actually the reason why I took part in those contests is purely for fun and never expected anything in return. But those were very good experiences and I’ve made a lot of friends that sharing the same passion. Good fun memories.
So far you have released a few remixes for Tech Art Recordings and the Love International record label. What are you currently working on? What’s on your agenda for the near future?
I have a few projects going on at the moment and plans down to road for the next 3 years. Please stay tuned for updates!
You’re based in Malaysia, but you’re a frequent guest here in Thailand – you have played at the Songkran Festival in 2011 and 2012 in Koh Tao alongside DJ Boyonic, DJ Bank JJ and DJ Coww, this February at Café Democ at the "SOUND E NEO HOUSE NIGHT" and you got your own bi-monthly radio show on Bangkok’s underground radio station "UB Radio". How did you get in touch with Thailand’s electronic dance music scene in the first place and how does it differ from what you are used to back home in Malaysia?
I used to have my recordings posted online & one day I received a mail from UB Radio asking me whether I want to have my own show when UB Radio about to start streaming 5 years ago. Without any second thought I grabbed this opportunity because I always wanted to share my music with everyone out there. Then another best friend of mine, DjK aka Khaidir who was regularly played in Thailand introduced me to Boyonic & Bank JJ. They liked my music and they are very kind to give me chances to play at Songkran and many other places including Backyard in Koh Phangan & Koh Chang. So praises to Khaidir, Boyonic & Bank JJ for making it happens! Thailand is a special place and I’m always looking forward and so excited to come back here and play because the people here are amazing and really up for it.
Besides your bi-monthly show on "UB RADIO" you also run a monthly radio show called “ReKonstrukt” on Digitally Imported Radio from New York. What can you tell us about the concepts of those two shows?
UB Radio shows are mostly the recordings from my gigs. While ‘ReKonstrukt’ is a place for me to showcase alter ego of mine with darker and deeper kind of music with more experimental approach. So far I got pretty good responses from Europe audiences.
What can you tell us about clubbing and nightlife in your hometown Kuala Lumpur?
KL is a city that never sleeps. Clubs are everywhere with all kind of varieties, plus a lot of music festivals and international acts going on every year, so it’s exciting and you shouldn’t have any excuses not to go out!
What was the best and the worst gig you ever played?
Best gig always end up with a lot of laughter and cheers and my best ever gig was a pool party some years ago where I supposed to play for 2 hours but ended up playing for more than 5 hours because the owner wouldn’t let me stop playing, the people were into it, cheering and dancing to the very last track! I remembered I had a long day and was so drained that night but the energy from the crowd is driving me and magically keep me going. The worst gig got to be the one with this promoter had me ended up in a city where I never been before and I have to look for the location of the club for my gig, and when I got there the DJ playing before me was playing dubstep, that should sum up the night and you can imagine from there.
What was the funniest thing ever occurred during any of your performances?
Someone was trying to order drinks from me because the console was next to the bar. Anyway my reply was do I look like a bartender?
What essential things you need to have with you at all times when you’re on tour and what things you miss the most when you’re away from home?
My passport, credit cards, laptop & mobile phone. All these things ready in my bag and I’m good to go. The only ones I missed the most are my family & my friends when I’m on the road.
You will perform in Bangkok on 31st May at Siam@Siam Design Hotel. What can Bangkok expect from your performance?
Please don’t expect anything, just come loosen up, get yourself into the dance floor and dance! ☺