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got down with all three DJs for a quick chat about what we can expect at the party, and their thoughts on the dancefloor scene all over Malaysia.

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Penang Launch Party
@ Hin Bus Depot Art Centre

The closing end of last year finally saw British-designed, Nipponphilic clothing brand Superdry set foot on our shores with a flagship store showcasing the latest lines opening up in the heart of the capital; Pavilion KL. The marque is now looking to make its mark up north in the Pearl of the Orient with an exclusive bash to commemorate their first store opening in Georgetown being held at Penang’s creative nucleus – Hin Bus Depot Art Centre.

Being an alternative space that combines heritage with pop culture, the former bus depot has seen as many parties and concerts as they’ve held art exhibitions. Even Kuala Lumpur, having had a head start over Penang as a modern city, doesn’t have anything remotely close to what Hin Bus Depot Art Centre offers. You can bet your ass it’s going to be a good night! Not that you need an extra incentive, but to make it all the more worthwhile, those spotted in Superdry gear during the event will stand a chance to walk away with vouchers via the ‘Best Superdry OOTD’ on-ground contest.

So look your best and get ready to party with Alex ASquared of local nu disco icons Deer Society, Penang boy and Astro Hitz Spinmaster champ Ramsey Westwood, and Penang’s favourite KL export, Xu of LapSap and Twilight Actiongirl fame!

Date
Saturday 1 November ’14
Time Venue
8pm Hin Bus Depot Art Centre
Ramsey Westwood

Ramsey
Westwood

Ramsey
Westwood

With a mother who used to spin back in the day while most of us were still in our diapers, being a DJ runs in Ramsey Westwood’s blood. He’s not taken his inherited talent for granted though, exhibiting his flashy skills to win the Astro Hitz Spin Master, he has kicked his career off to greater heights since then. Now holding down multiple residencies in local clubs, Westwood has become Penang’s Golden Boy in the nightlife scene there.

What are your thoughts on Penang’s dancefloor scene at the moment?

It’s now the in-thing, [but] most of the clubs are playing the same music. There’s nothing really special, unless you were to go for an event. Basically, you’d get the same music in most places in Penang, which is good and bad. It’s good because people are getting to know the music, but the bad thing is that it’s being overplayed everywhere. You walk to different clubs but it’s somewhat the same.

What can we expect from your set at the Superdry party then?

A little bit of commercial as well as some of my own materials, because I’m a music producer too. So I’ve got a couple of tracks coming up with a few labels in Netherlands and stuff like that. It’s going to be a preview of the tracks – not the full thing entirely, but just a sneak peek of it.

What are your thoughts on Superdry coming to Penang?

I’m a big fan of Superdry. I use Superdry a lot! It’s good because Penang is the second best place in Malaysia for fashion and entertainment. Gurney Plaza – where it’s opening – is turning into the Pavilion of Penang. So it’s great, we don’t have to head all the way down to KL to pick up Superdry gear when there’s just a store right here (laughs).

What can we expect from you in the next few years?

Well, what I’m planning to do in the next year or so is to set up my own DJ and music academy here in Penang, hopefully it’ll be established within five years. Also, more production of course, and most likely [I’d be] signed under a label too!

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Alex Asquared

Alex Asquared

Alex
Asquared

Alex got his start in the scene by throwing parties and mixing with likeminded musical people. A whole new world of CDJs, MIDI controllers, and mixers opened, and the rest was history – with Deer Society being one of the foremost names in the local nightlife scene at one point. Still a Changkat Bukit Bintang regular, Alex heads The Other Party at Pisco Bar now – a night that never fails to bring in the crowd week after week. While not a Penangite, his family history is linked to the island and the man is bringing his café, Butter & Beans, to Hin Bus Depot Art Centre soon, making his arrival in Penang something of a homecoming.

What are you spinning nowadays, Alex?

I’m going with what I’m feeling now – lots of deep house and tech house vibes. Bringing some old school elements into the mix too, and that’s what will be going down at the Superdry party.

What’s next for you in your career as a DJ?

Well, if you’re not producing materials/tracks there’s nothing more to progress besides circulating in the club scene, really. I’m moving more towards creating platforms for other DJs and bedroom producers to find an avenue to share materials and be in the spotlight.

What are your thoughts on Superdry’s opening in Penang?

Great! Penang has an audience that is ready and wanting new stuff, and with Superdry in, I foresee more Penang peeps getting fashionable!

You’ve been in the dance scene for a while now. How has it evolved over the time that you’ve been around?

Well, we have globally successful DJs producing and playing internationally, we have local heroes doing remixes that are being picked up on international music sites – the future looks bright!

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XU

XU

XU

Xu’s been around the block and back again. Stalwart of cult favourites Twilight Actiongirl and one-half of superduo LapSap alongside Blink, there seems to be no stopping this stellar DJ from achieving superstardom behind the decks. When not curating a particularly inspired set though, Xu is a street fashion icon who’s got boutiques specialising in carefully selected streetwear brands to his name. And if you thought he was just another DJ? Well, Xu produces music as part of Mini Compo – an underrated indie electro-disco duo that deserves more recognition.

What can we expect from your set in Penang in November?

You can expect to have a real good time? (Laughs) I like to mix it up a little bit, so come on over with an open mind.

What are your thoughts on Superdry opening up in Penang?

It’s an amazing move for the company as well as for the fashion forward audience in Penang. I think Superdry will do well there, and we’ll start to see more people donning Superdry gear everywhere!

What’s next for yourself and LapSap?

Hmm… never really gave much thought as to what my ‘next stage’ will be per se, but as I see myself grow further in this industry, I begin to see myself evolving into a ‘management role’, which leads me to start a talent management agency that allows me the opportunities to groom upcoming talents. My aim is pretty straightforward; to help younger and newer talents get noticed.

What do you think of the local dance scene right now?

Well, good news is that dance music today has mass appeal – imagine 10 years ago, you would never have heard a dance/house track on national radio! There are some downsides though as it has become the norm, we have begun to see way too many clones, and by clones I mean DJs or performers that do not want to risk anything or push boundaries. To me that is sad and boring.

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