ALL CREWS INTERNATIONAL! For our new blog series we’ve linked up with the Everyday Junglist Podcast to chat to crews around the world about their favourite sounds, records and events.
Next up we’re off to South Korea…
Dan Dara
Who are a few of the artists that you have been including in your sets?
The modern jungle dons Sully, Tim Reaper, and Kid Lib are always there, alongside 90s classics. I also have a deep admiration for the younger talents such as Nectax, Two Toke, Fendi K, Soeneido, Chefftheboy, Pouty’s Rage, DJ B, and Cheetah. Special shout out also goes out to the Korean Jungle prodigy Sawteeth.
Who are DJs in your area that you love playing with?
I really enjoy playing with my crew, Juuno, Nimvy, and Tabris. Outside of them, Uman Therma, Shins, Untitled, V!SION, J’Laurel, and Yetsuby are all incredible DJs.
What other DJs in your area do you feel you’ve learned most from?
I first started going out following Uman Therma, and I still learn a lot about the Jungle sound going to her gigs. Yetsuby and Arexibo have been a huge influence as well, with their genre-bending, free-thinking boldness, and energy that they display every single time.
Find Dan Dara on: Soundcloud, Instagram
dAbin
What do you listen for in tunes to put into your DJ sets?
When creating mixes, I tend to favour Reggae, Hardcore, and Jungle techno. I love chaotic, intense sounds and feel most comfortable when I’m on stage creating an atmosphere. I think if I’m having fun, the audience will have fun too. If I’m playing hardcore or jungle techno and suddenly switch to a reggae or soul-sampling jungle track, I find it easy to get the crowd excited and change the mood in an instant. I’m most excited when I feel like I’m connecting with the audience with my performance, and that’s what I look for when I’m building a mix on the spot.
What are some things outside of Jungle Drum & Bass that are important to you?
The most important thing is a break that excites me, and a powerful sound! If there’s a reggae vocal, I focus on the intense energy of the vocal. In the end, I’m drawn to powerful sounds.
Who is the DJ or producer in Jungle Drum & Bass that you have the most respect for and why?
It’s hard to pick a favourite artist. I like so many artists. I’m currently listening to a lot of Tim Reaper, Subjects, Cheetah, DJ B, Aerbreak, and many more. When organising my library, I tend to organise my music according to the labels that these artists have released music on, and I’m a big fan of Da Demolition Squad, Inner City Dance, Hardcore Energy, AKO Beatz, and Future Retro LDN, etc.
Find dAbin on: Instagram
Juuno
Who has influenced you the most as a DJ and why?
Back in 2010, I had an opportunity to live in London because of my parents’ business. I used to go to my friend’s house to play games like FIFA, and one day I heard this song called ‘Finale’ by Madeon, which was a soundtrack for the FIFA game. Since then, my interest in electronic music has grown. I loved the song so much that I looked up a lot of related videos on YouTube. In the process, I became interested in DJing and production as Madeon had some mashup videos using Launchpad. When I think back now, it seems that my taste in music and the funkiness of the music I heard when I was young, is reflected a lot in my music selection now. Madeon’s song has some ambient elements and funky vibes, which I look for in songs nowadays, even in Jungle and Drum & Bass music.
If you could back-to-back mix with anyone in the world, who would it be and why?
If I could go B2B with anyone in the world right now, it would be DJ Swisha. I really enjoyed his recent Kiosk Radio set and I think he is an awesome producer as well. I know he is more of a club dj and dance music artist, but he also plays Jungle and he is a genius, I’m sure it would be a priceless experience.
Besides Jungle and Drum & Bass, what other types of music do you enjoy?
I enjoy a LOT of genres, and especially, I enjoy UK Garage, Grime, Footwork, Hip-Hop & RNB. In my spare time, I try to listen to various genres of music, and this behaviour helps me to find new elements in music and allows me to enjoy a broader range of tunes in Jungle and D&B music, too. These days, I listen to more Jungle with Footwork elements more than old-school Jungle and DNB.
Find Juuno on: Instagram
Sawteeth
Tell our All Crews readers about your label, Jungle Fatigue.
Jungle Fatigue is a Jungle/DNB label based in Seoul, South Korea. Our releases are free to download/stream on Bandcamp. We also periodically do physical releases on tapes and vinyl as well. Our sound is heavily inspired by Old Skool jungle/DnB, but our focus is not on recreating the past, we aim to make something future proof just like how 90’s Jungle/DNB is.
Please tell us what you think the similarities between djing and producing are.
It’s all about the flow. Breaks and chords are good starting points, sometimes I start with the melody when a good one pops up in my mind. I spend a lot of time weeks, months or sometimes years on a single tune, so I switch between projects frequently. Taking my time allows me to find the best, or closest to the best arrangement and combination of sound. I also play around with hardware gear, Atari ST, Akai S950, EMU E6400, Yamaha DX7, and Mackie, from time to time. They are really fun to use, and they do add a certain flavor to the sound. Plugins such as RX950, TAL-DAC and Amigo should be enough for most people who want that vintage texture. I also use samples from Soul, Jazz, Funk, Rock, Blues, Reggae, Electronic, Pop, obscure 45’s and more, pretty much anything that sounds good. Lastly, I like to experiment with samples and layer different sounds.
What are some elements that you think make a great DJ?
I think a great DJ should constantly invest their time in developing their skills and digging deep for hidden gems. There is always new knowledge to be learned so let’s stay humble and modest. Music should come first, not money or clout. A great DJ should have the mindset of a student, not a teacher.
Seyn
Tell our readers what got you involved in DJing.
Since I was young, I have enjoyed discovering new music and introducing it to my friends. When I saw them enjoying and continually listening to the music I shared, I felt a sense of pride. I believe that was the fundamental reason that got me into becoming a DJ.
What DJs in your area have you learned the most about mixing from?
I first learned DJing when I joined a DJing club in college. I learned the most from my mentor at that time. The people who have influenced my current DJing style the most are my Jungle Hongdae mates : Uman Therma and yuyungsik.
I love Jungle Drum & Bass, tell our readers why this music is so special to you and why.
I love Jungle Drum & Bass because of the fast bpm and the chaotic drums compared to other genres. I usually have a lot on my mind, and these genres help me pause my thoughts for a while. They also evoke a sense of nostalgia of the 90s, which comforts me.
Find Seyn on: Instagram, Soundcloud
Shins
Tell the All Crews readers about Planet Turbo.
Planet Turbo is a party series and record label which started about 3 years ago by Seoul-based British expats Shins and Mordecai. It began as bi-monthly parties on Sunday’s at Cakeshop, Seoul‘s premier underground clubbing venue, but eventually moved to monthly Fridays/Saturdays at Cakeshop as well as Pistil, its sister venue.
We focus on U.K. club sounds, particularly UKG, Jungle Drum & Bass, but also grime, dubstep, funky, and more. In a scene saturated with house, techno and hip hop, Planet Turbo tries to present something different, and in a way that builds community and encourages collaboration.
As a party we’ve invited guests such as Jossy Mitsu, Breaka, Sharda, Holloway, and more to Cakeshop, as well as collaborating with other crews such as Feed The Dragon in Hong Kong and SPRAYBOX Japan. As a label we work with Asian based artists who give their own takes on those sounds that we represent, and have so far we’ve released two compilations. We also have been actively involved in promoting action for Palestine and released a fundraiser compilation alongside fundraising events.
In digital-and streaming-era 2024, what do you feel labels should be contributing to the Jungle Drum & Bass scene and sound?
For me it’s just about authenticity and passion. By sharing our love of these genres with those around us through events, radio and releases, I feel that we are contributing by introducing new people to the music. By giving Asian based artists a platform to release their music, we are contributing new ideas to the scene from diverse places.
Which other Jungle Drum & Bass crews from across the globe are you keen to link up with and why?
We hope to work again with SPRAYBOX and Feed The Dragon, both collaborations were really fun but we’re more garage oriented than jungle or DnB. We want to link up with the Breakboy crew in Malaysia and we have plans to work with Grow The Culture in Tokyo later this year, as well as discussing projects with Reprobate in Taiwan. As for other crews, any and all are welcome, just hit us up for a chat!
Find Shins on: Instagram, Soundcloud, Bandcamp
