#11: Eugene
1001tracklists.com 📀📋, Overmono 🐕, raves with Umami and Yalla ☢️, “Vroom Vroom” by Charli xcx 🏎️💨, SoundCloud (yes even in 2024!!) 🎶☁️, and supporting local businesses.
EUGENE TSE IS MIXING THE SOUNDS OF THE INTERNET.
Like many Gen-Z DJs, Eugene Tse’s first introduction to electronic music was during the age of Knife Party and Skrillex dubstep in the 2010s. These two artists, he says, inspired him to start playing with a DJ set at age 13. Over a decade later, the Hong Kong-based DJ has been mixing professionally now for two years, and his sound blends elements of house, techno, and UK garage. Much like the ultra-trendy hyperpop DJs of our day (think Charli XCX, A.G. Cook) the internet plays a big part of Eugene’s craft. He admits to being “chronically online” — perusing through the depths of Spotify and SoundCloud for hyper-niche samples to create fun mixes with, and opening Shazam in live events whenever he hears something he likes. These techniques have landed him some of the coolest gigs in the city — playing sold-out shows with Flowdan and Conducta in collaboration with Umami Events and Mixmag Asia. Here are his recommendations on THE CHOW:
First of all, I’m just chronically online. I spend a crazy amount of time on Spotify, perusing people’s playlists, or YouTube videos with less than 100 views.
I really like watching other artists’ sets while scrolling on 1001tracklists.com to see what they’re playing and find new sounds that way. It can actually be really educational.
Say you have a favorite DJ. Even if it’s a mainstream artist, they’re probably still bound to play some unheard or niche tunes. I’ve found stuff like Romanian minimal techno from Four Tet’s sets, for example, or some old French R&B from Jamie xx.
Listen to Overmono 🐕
The Overmono guys have some underground classics like “Hackney Parrot” but I really like this super anthemic track “So U Kno.” It’s so simple. It's got a vocal loop and it has this thumping two-step beat driving it.
It’s one of those tunes where you don't need to be super intrenched in UK culture to enjoy it. Dance tracks like these are so instinctual that regardless of your language abilities, people can just hear the instrumental and “get” it. It’s got these sonic elements that are so primal.
Raves with Umami and Yalla ☢️
Shout out to the Umami guys and to Yalla in California Tower. Getting the opportunity to open for Flowdan (huge dubstep legend) on their first proper night was just crazy. I still don’t know how they were able to bag him.
I’ve got a lot of respect for the Umami guys, they're young, they’re ambitious and they're not afraid to just get things done. Ideas are easy but execution’s rare.
“Vroom Vroom” by Charli xcx 🏎️💨
“Vroom Vroom” by Charli xcx has all these experimental “PC music” textures but at the same time is so easy to bop your head to. It’s got these super metallic sounding drums. After hearing it I had to go on Splice and download SOPHIE (the producer)’s sample pack.
It’s funny seeing the wider world re-discover Charli XCX in 2024 because of the success of Brat. I’ve heard people say stuff like “Charli XCX suddenly glowed up”. But she's been good. She’s been this good for years. It’s cool though. Hope this means more people finding her and A.G.’s stuff!
Downloading and making mixes on SoundCloud 💾🛠️🎶☁️
I think the hype with SoundCloud has died down, but I still use it. A lot of people put up interesting remixes and flips on there. I use it when I'm looking for unique things to play out.
Even with the biggest artists like Skrillex, some of the tracks they're playing in their sets are bootlegs by people on SoundCloud and Bandcamp. Those sites have really removed the barrier between established artists and some 17-year-old making a flip in their bedroom.
In 2024 it’s never been easier to become a producer or DJ. Anyone can make a remix that could end up being played at Coachella.
Mk.gee’s music
My favorite music artist of 2024 has gotta be Mk.gee. He’s like an all-in-one artist (singer-songwriter, producer, multi-instrumentalist). His last album, Two-Star and the Dream Police, is just such a great example of music that truly occupies its own unique sonic space; he’s got this idea about “liminal space” and even though he’s using familiar instruments like guitars and drums, it comes out sounding like nothing else in this world.
I love music like that. Might be surprising to some but I’d say I’m more inspired by artists and musicians that aren’t just DJs.
Shop local! (Or, go to Midwest Vintage and Initial) 🛒🛍️✨
I’m wearing some jean shorts from Midwest Vintage, and I think they’re made in house… like they actually make them. I’ve also been recently wearing stuff from Initial.
The reason for that is I'm trying to shift to a more support a local business kind of mentality. To me it feels more unique and genuine than giving my money to one of the big corps and then seeing someone outside wear the same piece.