01Profile
A Bunga Photo
Bunga
DJ — Malaysia
03Interview
What music defines the teenage you?
I have to say that my first love was pop music, it was what I grew up with on the radio then in my mid-teens I discovered rock music via Guns ‘N’ Roses and the rest of the late ‘80s and early ‘90s rock scene. The Stone Roses, Teenage Fanclub, Ride, The Cure and Dinosaur Jr changed me though, I was a total indie-head once I discovered them. Depeche Mode’s 'Violator' was an important touchstone too, it showed me that pop music doesn’t necessarily have to be throwaway love songs.
A song from your favourite album?
This is not a fair question, the one that’s on my mind right now when I saw this question is probably Ride’s 'Vapour Trail'. It’ll probably be on my funeral’s playlist as well haha.
Best song to turn up loud?
The Trees and The Wild’s 'Empati Tamako', the song just builds and builds into a cascade of elemental sounds that wash over you. I’ve had the privilege of working with the band twice and their live show is incredible, if you ever had a chance to catch them you must!
What new music are you listening to?
Lately I’ve been on an Asian bent: Korean artists such as HYUKOH, Yubin and Se So Neon; Japanese artists - Mitsume, never young beach, OGRE YOU ASSHOLE, Rina Sawayama, Yogee New Waves; HK & Taiwanese acts – No Party For Cao Dong, Waa Wei, Dough Boy and Sunset Rollercoaster and Western artists – Kamasi Washington, Snail Mail, This Will Destroy Us, Shame, King Princess, Wolf Alice, Jorja Smith, Bruno Major, Anderson Paak, Novo Amor, Julien Baker, The Internet, Deafheaven etc
What are you working on at the moment?
I’m currently working on Urbanscapes, Malaysia’s longest-running creative arts festival which will take place from 3-18 November. This year is the festival’s 16th edition and my second year as festival director – we’re working hard to make it as exciting and inclusive as possible, showcasing KL’s creative communities and artists in the heart of downtown KL. Apart from that I’ve started DJing again, reuniting with my ex-Indiego partner Farez Khan aka Robotron 5000 (shoutout to Dangerdisko too) as Bad Habits, nothing too serious or cerebral, just playing whatever we want on whatever format we feel like – it’s once a month so it’s really more of an outlet than anything else. And finally, for those who know me and how much I love food, I’m hoping to find time to work on a food-related project. Stay tuned.
02Playlist
04Playlist Notes
'This Will Destroy You' by Kitchen.
Because it’s the next best thing to silence.
'Spice' by Tokyo Karankoron>
Because I have a weakness for anime theme songs and this is as perfect as they come.
'Love Love Love' by Avalanche City.
Because of it’s a very earnest and sincere love song, even naïvely so but that just makes it even better.
'Empati Tamako' by The Trees and The Wild.
Just give it a listen and you’ll see what I mean.
'Ordinary Superstar' by Rina Sawayama.
Because Rina is just cool as fuck and the tune is as right up there with any big pop hits on the radio now.
'Gita / Malam' by Bayangan.
From shambolic beginnings, Fikri Fadzil is slowly but surely building a solid reputation as a serious troubadour with the release of his debut album 'Bersendirian Berhad'. 'Gita / Malam' is the opening track from the album.
'Sure' by Hatchie.
Best dream pop song of 2018, it’s like 4D’s era all over again.
'Sunset' by The Midnight.
To be young and to escape, set to widescreen cinematic synths straight from the ‘80s. This would have been a #1 in the 80s. Easily.
'Carry You' by Novo Amor.
The best Bon Iver song not written by Bon Iver.
'Blood' by The Middle East.
Aching, heartbreaking, uplifting and life-affirming.
'Whisperer' by Flica.
Malaysia’s Euseng Seto’s ambient alter-ego shows why he’s highly regarded in the international ambient/post-rock scene
'Evenfall' by Dae Kim.
Hip-hop producer Dae Kim takes a left-field turn to produce a stellar album (“Solace”) of late-night electronic musings and we’re all the more thankful to him for it.
03Interview
What music defines the teenage you?
I have to say that my first love was pop music, it was what I grew up with on the radio then in my mid-teens I discovered rock music via Guns ‘N’ Roses and the rest of the late ‘80s and early ‘90s rock scene. The Stone Roses, Teenage Fanclub, Ride, The Cure and Dinosaur Jr changed me though, I was a total indie-head once I discovered them. Depeche Mode’s 'Violator' was an important touchstone too, it showed me that pop music doesn’t necessarily have to be throwaway love songs.
A song from your favourite album?
This is not a fair question, the one that’s on my mind right now when I saw this question is probably Ride’s 'Vapour Trail'. It’ll probably be on my funeral’s playlist as well haha.
Best song to turn up loud?
The Trees and The Wild’s 'Empati Tamako', the song just builds and builds into a cascade of elemental sounds that wash over you. I’ve had the privilege of working with the band twice and their live show is incredible, if you ever had a chance to catch them you must!
What new music are you listening to?
Lately I’ve been on an Asian bent: Korean artists such as HYUKOH, Yubin and Se So Neon; Japanese artists - Mitsume, never young beach, OGRE YOU ASSHOLE, Rina Sawayama, Yogee New Waves; HK & Taiwanese acts – No Party For Cao Dong, Waa Wei, Dough Boy and Sunset Rollercoaster and Western artists – Kamasi Washington, Snail Mail, This Will Destroy Us, Shame, King Princess, Wolf Alice, Jorja Smith, Bruno Major, Anderson Paak, Novo Amor, Julien Baker, The Internet, Deafheaven etc
What are you working on at the moment?
I’m currently working on Urbanscapes, Malaysia’s longest-running creative arts festival which will take place from 3-18 November. This year is the festival’s 16th edition and my second year as festival director – we’re working hard to make it as exciting and inclusive as possible, showcasing KL’s creative communities and artists in the heart of downtown KL. Apart from that I’ve started DJing again, reuniting with my ex-Indiego partner Farez Khan aka Robotron 5000 (shoutout to Dangerdisko too) as Bad Habits, nothing too serious or cerebral, just playing whatever we want on whatever format we feel like – it’s once a month so it’s really more of an outlet than anything else. And finally, for those who know me and how much I love food, I’m hoping to find time to work on a food-related project. Stay tuned.
04Playlist Notes
'This Will Destroy You' by Kitchen.
Because it’s the next best thing to silence.
'Spice' by Tokyo Karankoron>
Because I have a weakness for anime theme songs and this is as perfect as they come.
'Love Love Love' by Avalanche City.
Because of it’s a very earnest and sincere love song, even naïvely so but that just makes it even better.
'Empati Tamako' by The Trees and The Wild.
Just give it a listen and you’ll see what I mean.
'Ordinary Superstar' by Rina Sawayama.
Because Rina is just cool as fuck and the tune is as right up there with any big pop hits on the radio now.
'Gita / Malam' by Bayangan.
From shambolic beginnings, Fikri Fadzil is slowly but surely building a solid reputation as a serious troubadour with the release of his debut album 'Bersendirian Berhad'. 'Gita / Malam' is the opening track from the album.
'Sure' by Hatchie.
Best dream pop song of 2018, it’s like 4D’s era all over again.
'Sunset' by The Midnight.
To be young and to escape, set to widescreen cinematic synths straight from the ‘80s. This would have been a #1 in the 80s. Easily.
'Carry You' by Novo Amor.
The best Bon Iver song not written by Bon Iver.
'Blood' by The Middle East.
Aching, heartbreaking, uplifting and life-affirming.
'Whisperer' by Flica.
Malaysia’s Euseng Seto’s ambient alter-ego shows why he’s highly regarded in the international ambient/post-rock scene
'Evenfall' by Dae Kim.
Hip-hop producer Dae Kim takes a left-field turn to produce a stellar album (“Solace”) of late-night electronic musings and we’re all the more thankful to him for it.