Exclusive Interview with DJ Hong
Handpicked by the Singapore Tourism Board & National Arts Council to represent Singapore's best in Russia for Spotlight Singapore 2008 Forum and flying the Zouk flag to Pacha Ibiza in 2010, DJ Hong proves his chops to play out both intimate parties as well as to almost 30,000 screaming punters at the annual dance music festival, ZoukOut. He is resident DJ at Zouk Singapore since 2008, playing there weekly every Friday & Saturday.
Siam2nite had the opportunity to have an exclusive interview with DJ Hong, shortly before his performance at the Pre-ZoukOut Party at DEMO on 8th November.
Since 2008 you are a resident DJ at Zouk – Singapore’s #1 club that established Singapore on the international dance music scene and which is the organizer behind the yearly ZoukOut festival. In 2012, on average, every 2.5 days an international artist performed at Zouk - a total of over 150 bookings. How did you get involved with the club in the first place and how do you feel about being resident DJ for such a respected brand?
I have been DJing around the singapore circuit for many years and have always been close to the Zouk family. I jumped at the chance when I was given the opportunity to work with the club. I mean, which local DJ wouldn’t want to be a resident at the number 5. club in the world today? I feel super blessed and honoured to be where I am today and look forward to many more good years ahead with Zouk.
How did you get in touch with electronic dance music in the first place and how did you get into DJing?
Music has always been a big part of my life ever since I was a kid. I got into all sorts of sounds.... Hip Hop, New Wave, Indie, Thrash Metal etc. I was always drawn to alternative music and I was totally hooked onto House music when I discovered it. Zouk was and still is the place to go to listen to this sound. Soon after, I bought dance records and realised that the best way to enjoy these records was to mix them with a DJ mixer and 2 turntables. The rest is history!
You play a mixture of Techno, House, Progressive, Electro, Nu Wave, Trance and Indie Disco. How would you describe your music in just a few words?
I don’t play all these genres in a set actually. I play according to the theme of the night and I can play a variety of genres except Pop music.
What was the best and the worst gig you ever played and what was the funniest thing ever occurred during any of your performances?
Best gig - Rex Club, Paris in 2012
Worst gig - Too many
Funniest incident - Getting dollar bills thrown at me as a form of appreciation
On the occasion of Singapore’s upcoming ZoukOut festival you will vist Thailand for an exclusive performance at the Pre-ZoukOut Party at DEMO Thonglor, where you have played at least once a year since 2009. Did you keep your previous visits in good memory? How does Bangkok nightlife differ from what you are used to from Singapore?
It is always good fun playing in DEMO. The only downer is the early closing hours.
This year’s ZoukOut festival will take place on 13-14 December. What can you tell us about it?
This year's ZoukOut has the largest line-up by far with A-list DJs from every genre of dance music represented; from "EDM" to Trance to House to Dubstep. It's also going to be longer than last year with Day 1 (8pm - 5am) starting an hour earlier and closing half an hour later than last year. Day 2 remains a 12 hour danceathon from 8pm-8am. The theme for this year's ZoukOut is "Metamorphosis" and we hope to see everybody transform into the craziest party animals this side of Asia on these 2 nights! ZoukOut has always been popular with the Thais and I expect to see Thailand's finest partygoers represent!
What can Bangkok expect of your performance at DEMO?
Just like the sets I drop at Zouk, I'm going to deliver a set that's pumping, energetic and will, hopefully, give everybody a good workout.