Hi Ical, well you live in one of the craziest city’s in the world, the largest city of Indonesia – in some sectors huge high rise offices & hotels, the North of Jakarta resembling Amsterdam with it’s canals plus areas filled with beautiful 17th Century churches, monuments and houses. Can you tell us what it’s like living in Jakarta?
“Actually, Jakarta is a very beautiful city with a lot of buildings, especially historical buildings. Sometimes I just can’t stand the traffic jams, but still, I was born and raised in this city, this is where I grew up and I have a lot of memories from here.”
So you have been DJing since 2003, your love is all things House Music… Deep House, Acid House, French House, Funky House and also Electro House – who were your musical influences before you started DJing? What music acts and DJs were you into back then?
“I had a band before I started to be a DJ. My band is all about Punk Rock music and I’m the guitarist.. My huge influences are acts like Crass, The Clash and The Oppressed. I don’t see the connection – ha ha, but in my opinion, you have to watch the film ’24 Hour Party People’…that’s why I became a DJ!!.”
What is the club scene like in Jakarta at the moment?
“There is so much variation in Jakarta, lots of different styles, a lot of unique styles, but it’s good.”
You have been a resident at some of Jakarta’s leading club’s…Club Monaco, Baby Face, Dizzy Lounge (great name!) and now Urban Lounge…tell us about Urban Lounge, what is the music policy and have you had any big foreign DJs on the decks?
“I think I have got some big slices of luck with becoming a resident DJ in these clubs.The music policy at Urban Lounge is anything around House music, soulful, deep, Tech, disco. I have been sharing the decks with Franco de Mulero from Ibiza…”
Which overseas DJs do you admire?
“Jeno, Garth, DJ Gregory and Claude Monnet.”
So Jakarta, what are the best…
Bars – “Urban Lounge, they have a cool bar.”
Restuarants – “For me..it’s Sambara – a Sundanese restaurant.
Tourist Attraction – “Ondel-ondel.”
You have played at some huge events over the last four years. What have been the highlights?
“Well I had a very big satisfaction feeling when I played at Gili Trawangan. Gili Trawangan is a very small island in Lombok, where there are no motorcycles or cars, it’s very clean, a beautiful island – it’s paradise. ‘Glow’ in Bangkok is brilliant and playing with the Audiowhores at the night ‘Sundaze White’ at Segara.”
Who are the other DJs from Jakarta we should be looking out for?
“DJ Cream from Soulmenace – one of the best alternative DJs out there.”
Tell us about the whole Basement House set up…
“Basement House consists of some highly motivational people, sometimes it’s a struggle in this industry, but we try to differentiate ourselves from others, it’s all about having fun and a huge House music mash up. There are 4 DJs in the crew, myself, Robin, Anggarez and Mike Wower.
Your sets with DJ Drto combinating 4 CDJs, 2 mixers, 4 turntables and 1 Efx machine where you mix up house music, acapellas and loops – quite a show? Some may even call it remixing live?
“Our back to back sets are crazy. Basically when I’m mixing or he’s mixing the other guy is working the technology.”
What is the turntablism scene like in Jakarta today?
“It’s pretty small, however there is a scene and we have one Turntablism competition a year out here.”
What clubs around the world would you love to play at?
“I wanna play Ibiza.”
If I was a tourist coming to Jakarta, what is the best kept secret you would take me to?
“I would take you to Ancol, definitely.”
What are your ten biggest tunes in your record box at the moment?
1. The Juan Maclean ‘Happy House.’
2. Franck Roger ‘When Animals Manifest’
3. Minilogue ‘Doiicie A’
4. Hercules and Love Affair ‘Blind (Serge Santiago mix)
5. Daso ‘Daybreak’ (Jona mix)
6. Einzelkind & Meat ‘Balea (Original mix)
7. Ralf Gum featuring Diamondancer ‘All This Love For You’
8. Matt Masters ‘Deep Or What (Milton Jackson mix)
9. Rocco ‘Someday’ (Dub mix)
10.Liapin ‘Redskin’ (Agnes mix)
