We be keeping track of our local heroes!
Over the years, we’ve seen the dance music scene evolve into something that has become so beautiful, in the sense that it brings people together as they embrace the music and enjoy a good night out. From trance to techno to big room sounds to trap, dubstep and future house as well as progressive and moombathon, we’ve had the pleasure of attending mega dance music festivals such as Future Music Festival Asia, ZoukOut and It’s The Ship. Much like these music festivals, we’ve also attended tonnes of club nights where superstar DJs such as Hardwell, Martin Garrix, Cosmic Gate, Will Sparks, Ferry Corsten, Markus Schulz, Steve Aoki and more have taken over to give dance music fans the time of their lives.
SOURCE: Zouk Club KL – Facebook
Speaking of international acts, the next couple of months are going to be crazy as we’ve got The Chainsmokers, John Dahlbäck, Mark Sixma and more heading our way. Yes, it’s great that we’ve got all these big international acts coming our way but it’s not every other week that we get these acts.
So, what happens when we don’t have an international act to party to/with? Are we just to stay home and rot away every weekend? No. Why?
Because we’ve got some pretty talented local DJs who are guaranteed to entertain you just as much as an international act would!
As many of you would know, Malaysian DJs Goldfish + Blink are 2 of the biggest local names who have made it in the international dance music circuit. From being signed to Hardwell’s label to performing at Ultra Music Festival Korea 2015, the duo who also hold a residency at one of Malaysia’s leading dance clubs, Zouk Club KL, has definitely set the benchmark for other local talents.
Today, we present you with other unsung local heroes that we feel deserve some recognition:
BATE
SOURCE: BATE – Facebook
Consisting of Ethan Curzon and Yeoh Wai Hong, BATE recently opened for Martin Garrix at KL Live. Known for their private parties, as well as bringing a different kind of energy to each and every set that they play, BATE has also performed alongside the likes of R3hab, Hard Rock Sofa, Showtek, and Cosmic Gate.
Apart from their Friday night residency at Zouk Club KL, BATE has also played at major events like Future Music Festival Asia 2013 and 2014 where they shared the stage with deadmau5 + Friends and at Thirst 2013 where they shared the stage with Afrojack, NERVO, and David Guetta. Internationally, the duo have been booked to play at venues including Octagon in Seoul, MAZE in Melbourne, and Mink in Singapore.
If you’re looking to catch this duo on a regular night, then you’re in luck as they can be found anchoring SMASH at Zouk Club KL on Friday nights and NOISE at Lust KL on Saturdays.
For more on BATE, visit their Facebook page.
Mr. Deadwood
Casey Chong, also known as Mr. Deadwood, found his love for music ever since he was a kid. Having always been captivated by the sound of beats, he learned to play the drums on his own and as his passion for music continued to grow, he decided to pursue the arts and crafts of deejaying in order to expose and share his love for music to a bigger audience.
Known for dropping some powerful and fresh mixes of progressive house and future house, Casey has thrown some of the biggest parties which have been endorsed by brands such as Redbull. Having shared the stage with Ben Gold and Sidney Samson, Casey will also be opening for The Chainsmokers at Gravity Club KL this June.
Future House Mixtape by Mr Deadwood by Mr Deadwood on Mixcloud
Casey currently holds a residency at Providence KL (Thursday) and Gravity KL (Friday), you can catch Casey this Thursday as he’s one of the acts featured for the launch of #Thirstday.
For more on Casey Chong aka Mr. Deadwood, hit up his Facebook page.
Axel Groove
A self-professed late bloomer, Sanjeev Raj, also known by his stage name Axel Groove found his inspiration following 7 years in the wilderness, also known as the concrete jungles of Australia. Once back in Malaysia, Groove signed with Excessive Studios where he honed his skills under Bryan Burger.
After a year or so, he started playing at venues including Zouk Club KL, Vertigo, Establishment, Bedroom, Frangipani, Marini’s on 57, Pisco, The Roof, Lust, Nagaba and events including Future Music Festival Asia, Red Bull F1 Grand Prix, Red Bull Music Academy, Glenmorangie, Supermodel Me, Tropfest, and Fred Perry Subsonic.
Groove has also played at regional countries such as Singapore and Thailand and played along international luminaries including Hot Since 82 (UK), Eats Everything (UK), Osunlade (USA), Sonny Fodera (AUS), Shiba San (FRA), Yuksek (FRA), Hercules and the Love Affair (US), Phil Weeks (FRA), Africa Hitech (UK), What So Not (Aus) and more. His passion and eclectic taste has also seen him program music for The Big Group venues such as Tate, Beast, Page 2 and Hit & Mrs.
Taking a wide range of inspiration from the likes of Kerri Chandler all the way to Jamie Jones; Axel Groove incorporates a sexy blend of disco, house, and deep tech vibes to feed the soul.
Sex Panthers Play House Vol 2 @ Pisco Bar 2/5/2015 by Axel Groove on Mixcloud
Find out where you can catch him next by stalking his Facebook page.
DANGERDISKO
Formed in 2008 by 2 former rock band mates; Shaheed Naz and Robotron 5000, DANGERDISKO is known for their heavily influenced 80s pop culture, throwback music, and art mixes. Armed with a reverbed snares and attitudes to match, the duo have taken over the world with their brand of nu disco and over a period of six years, they’ve released a number of singles on an Italian record label, produced and remixed for Malaysian artistes and toured a number of countries including Indonesia, Hong Kong, America, and UK.
Having performed at various music festivals including Future Music Festival Asia 2013 and 2014, Festival Belia Putrajaya 2014, Urbanscapes 2013 and 2012, they also opened for Upfront Arena: Foals 2014 and are currently signed to Media Blackout, an NYC/LA based label.
Find out where you can catch DANGERDISKO live in action by stalking them on Facebook.
Remember guys, as great as international acts are, the locals are just as great. So support your local music superheroes