Digital Bandit is the other half of VIBE SOUNDSYSTEM who will play for Phanganist Hostel on April 14th, find out more about his Bass Heavy roots right here...
Tell us your Bangkok story...
My first experience of Asia was Kuala Lumpur, which was great, as I met Tom, we started VIBE and built a strong following of BASS HEADS.
But, after 2 years I came to realise there are other places in Asia where the music would be more appreciated and where the crowds would be more energetic! So we came to the party central of Southeast Asia, Bangkok! I only wish I had moved here sooner….
Why the name DJ Digital Bandit?
Digital Bandit started off as a DJ collective back in the UK. When I first started DJing I was into Bootlegging, dropping songs I enjoyed over the top of decent DnB tunes. Here is one of my more popular ones….
Stealing songs like a Bandit and mashing them together digitally!
What got you initially interested in music particularly Drum and Bass etc?
Music has been in my life for ever! Big Soundsystem culture, Carnivals, music blaring through the house on a Sunday afternoon while we did our chores and my mum cooked!
The early days were very much Reggae and Lover's Rock and as I got older this turned into Dancehall and Ragga. My First Drum and Bass Rave at 18 got me hooked onto Ragga Jungle….no looking back!
What are your influences?
I have been visiting Jamaica since childhood and have seen Lady Saw, Beenie Man, Bounty Killer, Bunny Wailer and many more while visiting. These were my early influences.
Then in my later teens I discovered Pendulum, Roni Size, Goldie, SL2 and the tune that got me hooked onto DnB was D. Kay & Epsilom’s tune, Barcelona!
How is the scene in Bangkok?
I moved to Bangkok for the music scene. We have had such a warm welcome and up to now have been received well by the crowds.
I’m able to play my whole discography of tunes, from early Ska and Lovers Rock, to Dancehall and Ragga Jungle, there is always a crowd wanting to hear your sound and somebody willing to shake a leg with us
You will play Phanganist on 14th April, have you been to Koh Phangan before?
I was fortunate to visit Phangan last year, after a recommendation from Tom. I loved the atmosphere on the island and am returning for another dose of positive island vibes.
What do you hope to bring to the crowd on the night?
Big Energy, Big Bass, Big Tunes and Big Smiles!
What are your plans for the year ahead?
Continue to spread our sound around SE Asia and back in the UK.
And leave us with your life philosophy...
Martin Luther King Jr once said “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘what are you doing for others?” I am bringing bass heavy conscious sounds to the masses.
Photos courtesy of Grains and Pixels.
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