City Nomads Radio: Dean Chew aka Funk Bast*rd

PUBLISHED February 12th, 2016 06:00 am | UPDATED August 19th, 2024 02:40 am

Earning praises from the likes of Dam-Funk, Tama Sumo, San-Soda, Mike Huckaby, Jamie XX and 2562, Dean Chew aka the Funk Bast*rd (one half of the Cosa Nostra duo and co-founder of Singapore-based label Darker Than Wax) has been tirelessly pushing and promoting an alternative expression of leftfield music through his widely eclectic and genre-bending sets.

Traversing musical genres like deep jazz, soul, funk, boogie, brazilian grooves, deep house, hip hop and bass numbers, his diverse musical selection have left whichhave left many indelible marks on the dancefloors. His sets have also taken him around the world, playing most recently in New York, Brazil, Paris, London and Shanghai. 

This edition of City Nomads Radio, we chat with Dean about Darker Than Wax and his specially curated City Nomads mixed tape.

Hi Dean! How did your moniker, Funk Bast*rd, come from?

It was actually Chris Ho that gave me that name randomly at this gig that we were playing for many years ago. It somehow stuck with me, and as strange as the name is, it made a lot of sense in the way I approach my selections and djing.

How has your music progressed over the years?

I have learnt how not to overdo things, show restraint, learn and observe how other contemporaries approach their crafts. Personally, I think my DJing has come a long way and is extremely versatile, but again, this can only come with maturity and an unceasing curiosity.

Having earned praises from a worldwide range of music selectors, how did Darker Than Wax (DTW) start? Tell us more.

DTW is simply a result of many years of hustling, bantering, discussing ideas and most importantly, an urge to connect with like-minded souls globally. Kaye and I have been playing together for more than a decade now, and I think that mutual respect for each other has led to us forming this strong bond and belief that we can engineer a movement on our own.

Running a full-time spatial design practice and having the label on the side, do you find that architecture, design and music often intertwine or build off of each other?

Very much so. Both are essentially spatial creatures – creative yet methodical. I am quite blessed to be given a chance to delve into both on a daily basis.

How did you manage to find and sign so many amazing and talented artists to Darker Than Wax? 

Long, long hours of A & R-ing (Artists & Repertoire). I have always been a vinyl collector, so you could say I approach A&R in the same way…and through years of experience, you sort of develop a sense of where and who to look out for. Also, hosting a little pirate radio show called ‘Public Nusiance’ some 10 years ago has helped me to establish clusters of networks with different selectors and people around the world.

Any big plans for Darker Than Wax in 2016?

2016 is all about planning our label showcases around the globe. In fact, we are about to kick off a small European tour in March with cities like London and Berlin all locked in so hopefully this signals the start of the next phase for DTW.

Tell us about the mixtape you’ve put together for us.

This mixtape is simply a representation of where my musical head is at, and of course there isn’t such a thing as genre. It’s how you blend different types of music together. In other words, be free.

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All images credits: OSG Photography

To keep updated of Funk Bast*rd’s upcoming gigs, news and tunes:
Facebook | Soundcloud | Website

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