Selectors On The Stream: Local DJs You Can Tune Into To Stay Groovy At Home

The list of local DJs jumping on the live-streaming trend continues to grow (Credit: Koflow FB page, The Council, Telok Ayer Arts Club FB page [front] | Pexels: Loong Ken (rear)]

Isn’t technology swell? While the COVID-19 nuisance continues to linger, streaming services have allowed us to keep in touch with our favourite local DJs and collectives, letting the healing capacity of music into our living spaces. Just weeks ago, Revision Music and Ice Cream Sundays executed successful fundraising campaigns through live-streaming platforms, denoting a victory for the scene and those in need. In circumstances where partying outside is impossible, partying inside has now become a plausible alternative.

With that in mind, it’s great to see more and more DJs coming aboard to share their music and keeping listeners occupied during these isolating times. The issue now, however, lies in keeping up with this influx of live-streams, to the point where sets can be easily missed if you’re not already following these selectors on their social media channels.

To facilitate the hunt, I’ve compiled a non-exhaustive list of local DJs who have been active on the stream, accompanied with personalised messages from each of these hosts regarding their intentions. Stay connected, stay at home, and stay groovy.

Meet the Japanese vinyl hunter obsessed with vintage grooves (Credit: Rizman Putra)

Itch

Like Marty McFly, you’re in for a trip through time when you sink into the retro Stay Home Singapura sets from Japanese selector, Itch (you can check out his interview feature too). An aficionado of vintage, Asian rare grooves, the crate digger is a treasure hunter of obscure gems and nostalgic jams. Often all-vinyl, his sets are full-on educational experiences as he usually exhibits the sleeve of what he’s put on, much like a zealous collector sharing his toys with excitement.

"Stay Home Singapura" is a series of all-vinyl mixes recorded during the Circuit Breaker. In this series, music selection is focused on music and sounds produced in Singapore and around the region (Nanyang, Nusantara) from the ’60s to early ’80s: A-Go-Go, Nanyang Disco, Nusantara groove, Malay Funk, etc.” – Itch

Follow Itch's Instagram page to catch his live-streams. He currently plays one-hour sets every Friday from 10.30pm. You can listen to his recorded mixes here.

Zushan

From his prodigious rise as an award-winning turntablist to his pivotal role in Zouk Singapore, and his ghetto-inspired “Geylang Crunk” bass music as one-half of O$P$ with partner in crime Master Race, Zushan is one of the industry’s brightest veterans. With a Midas touch on the decks, he puts out sets with adept mastery and nimble diversity, making the Pioneer Digital DJ Champion one of the most in-demand selectors on the isle.

“Since the beginning of life, music has always been a way to form connections with one’s self, and with the rest of humanity. As everyone is homebound during these bizarre circumstances, most of us as DJs have lost our dancefloors at clubs, bars and festivals to play to. But with the outreach of the Internet and armed with some cameras, we now have the opportunity to use live-streaming to reach out to a larger audience globally. As we all take this time to try out new things and rediscover the ones that we love, I’d like to share with everyone tunes that I truly dig, almost never get to play out, and are straight from the heart.” – Zushan

Follow Zushan’s Facebook page and Twitch page for updates on streams. He will be playing a full-vinyl drum & bass set on Friday 1 May, 10pm. You can view his past sets here, here and here.

Amber H

Tribal, trippy and transcendent are just some the descriptors you might attach to an Amber H set. Karachi-raised, US-honed and now Singapore-based, Amber is a familiar face behind the decks of The Council and the now-dormant Kilo Lounge; always dominating, always illuminating. From buoyant daytime jams to sunset wind-downs, Amber’s stay-in sets are windows into her globetrotting repertoire, brimming with melodious escapism and rhythmic hypnotism.

“I wanted to bring some calmness to myself, and also to others during this time of stress. We are living in extraordinary times and I know people feel trapped staying home all the time. Hence, music, exercise and hobbies are just some of the avenues for us to release that tension. You can listen to my recorded live-stream (also on Soundcloud) on your walk, job or bike ride, and I hope it helps you feel energised and pumped. Or, just sit at home and listen to some of my sunset streams, where I play warmer and emotional music that is meant to calm you. I am also planning a morning ambient, downtempo set to help bring you from your slumber to your morning routine. Overall, the idea is for a feel-good vibe.” – Amber H

Follow Amber's Facebook page, Twitch page and Instagram page for updates on streams. You can listen to her past sets on her Soundcloud page.

Darren Dubwise

Open your mind and tune into the world of Test Dimension Radio, the now-streaming brainchild of Darren Dubwise. Always one to innovate and stimulate the scene, Darren has been pushing trends since the early noughties with his contributions to bass music and the reggae circuit. He’s also a visionary of the vinyl community as co-founder of #vinyloftheday, along with its brick-and-mortar manifestation, White Label Records. With Test Dimension Radio, Darren experiments with different genres each set, always keeping listeners on their toes.

“My Test Dimension streams are just one of the things I’m doing to keep busy and sane during this period. It’s a pet project that’s completely owned by me and I usually do, play and produce whatever I want on it. If there’s any theme, it’s probably a glimpse into my own personal and very splintered aesthetic. I usually try and jump on 3-5pm (SGT) Mondays to Fridays, with music styles differing slightly day to day. Mondays, I do more heavy things like metal, industrial etc; Tuesdays for jazzy sounds; Wednesday, beats and what-not; Thursdays and Fridays I usually play deconstructed club/house/jungle/bassy things.” – Darren Dubwise

Follow Darren Dubwise's Twitch page for updates on streams. You can view his past sets here and here.

JNR is one of the established figures behind Matteblacc (Credit: Matteblacc)

JNR

If you’re craving some musical choice cuts for your living space, JNR has your soundtrack sorted. As one of the ringleaders behind the renowned Matteblacc collective, JNR has been closely associated with the prevalence and growth of soul and hip-hop in Singapore, forging musical direction for myriad venues, and the inception of big-time events over the years like Summerdaze. Matteblacc is also the entity behind Choice Cuts Goods + Coffee, which has evolved into an institution in recent times.

“I am hoping everyone is keeping positive during these trying times. I find my happy place when I'm playing music and I want to share as much as possible, even if no one is tuning in. In fact, I'm collaborating with HMLET to do an official live-stream to raise funds for a charity that is helping those in need to cope and promote mental health in Singapore. I am also donating my fees for this performance – Samaritans of Singapore – on 8 May from 8pm to 10pm. Follow my Instagram page to find out what platform we will be doing this on.” – JNR

Follow JNR's Facebook page, Twitch page and Instagram page to catch his live-streams. He will be playing a two-hour set on Friday 1 May, 5pm-7pm. You can listen to his past sets on his Mixcloud page.

Mr. Has

One of the slickest profiles in the industry, Mr. Has boasts a suavity in his selections that’s made him timeless in his trade. As chieftain behind the longstanding music and lifestyle brand, Rawjak, Mr. Has knows how to turn any setting into a soiree – your home included – with his years of experience and curation. The style connoisseur is also music director of Telok Ayer Arts Club, and in spite of its current closure due to COVID-19, he continues to prop up the brand with the TAAC:LIVE series, Balik Kampong, where you can find him doing live sets for.

“Music is the healing force of the universe. There is no exclusivity in music.” – Mr. Has

Follow Mr. Has' Facebook page for updates on streams. He will be playing Saturday nights at 10pm. You can view his past set here.

KiDG

A veteran known for taking listeners down the rabbit hole with his repertoire, Robin Chua AKA KiDG is another seasoned go-to for broad musical wisdom. You’ll often spot him as a selector for numerous venues in the city, and as a promoter with multiple aliases – KiDG under the indie-centric Eatmepoptart brand, and Tiko Jackson as a purveyor of “jizz funk and jacuzzi soul” via his Tiko Disko nights.

“For starters, many of us are in for a tough period now. Being one who's affected, I take it to live-streaming to get my mind working creatively, and also to connect with like-minded folks over the love of music. If I can help entertain and uplift people, then I take that as both a privilege and a pleasure. Usually, I'd go along with having a theme or a vibe or sound for each of my streams. It's also because I love quite a wide range of music, so I'd play out the stuff I don't usually get a chance to when I'm DJ-ing at events.” – KiDG

Follow KiDG's Facebook page and Twitch page for updates on streams. You can view his past sets here and here.

Koflow

A name synonymous with local hip-hop, Koflow has been one of the genre’s champions for nearly two decades. His victory at the 2003 DMC Singapore DJ competition continues to be a feather in his cap, with international turntablism battles in his resume as well. Naturally, the co-founder of Solid Gold Productions, known for its high-octane hip-hop parties, is a dynamo on the decks who is always riveting to watch – sampling, scratching, and selecting tunes that can crank energies up in a heartbeat.

“Most DJs find joy from seeing the joyful faces on the dancefloor. Although we can’t see them during this period, we can still accompany them an hour at a time through the music that we play. We DJs wanna let you know you are not alone. Usually my hour-long sets come with a theme. Say on weeknights I will do some chilled-out future beats for peeps who loves working to music, or funk and breaks for b-boys or dancers who wanna have a cypher; and weekends I will go for something more energetic to perk up everyone’s day. And when it comes to a Official Live Stream for brands, it’s all trick mixing and turntablism, and that is to help inspire other DJs or creatives out there to continue to create!” – Koflow

Follow Koflow's Facebook page and Instagram page for updates on streams. You can view his past sets here and here.

Darker Than Wax

You’d be pleased to know that influential imprint and collective, Darker Than Wax, has several of its residents on the streaming medium. It’s not uncommon to stumble upon Funk Bast*rd laying down a masterclass in groove 101, or Kaye jumping on with live sax accompaniment (the wonders of technology!). In fact, they’ll be having a five-hour live-stream party on 1 May to mark the release of their new BODYCLOCK series, featuring sets from its local roster and special guests.

“Quite simply, we want to transport that similar feeling and vibe from the dancefloor into your personal space and hopefully use music as a positive medium to help folks cope with the current situation.” – Funk Bast*rd

Follow Darker Than Wax's Facebook page for updates on streams from its residents. You can view past sets here and here.