PUBLISHED April 29th, 2016 07:00 am | UPDATED August 19th, 2024 02:40 am
DJ KFC, known to many as Keith, is known for throwing different genres into his mixes but always keeping the vibe and energy on the floor. His eclectic flavor has spread across the globe to places like Shanghai, Kuala Lumpur, Bali, New York, Bangkok, and Sydney. He’s also shared the stage with international artistes like Breakbot, Goldroom, Tim Sweeny, Todd Terje, Axel Boman, Crazy P, and many more.
Since taking on the role of Music Director at The Lo & Behold Group, he curates all music for the group and also handles DJ and live act bookings for the venues. He has also been commissioned to curate playlists for various lifestyle venues such as Fullerton Bay Hotel’s, The Clifford Pier and more recently for Odette, a fine dining collaboration between The Lo & Behold Group and Chef Julien Royer.
We share the same sentiments on his ’no music, no life’ philosophy and for this edition of City Nomads Radio, we decided to strip off all formalities and get personal with him.
Where were you born and raised?
Born in Singapore, raised in Serangoon Gardens.
What is one thing people don’t know about you?
I suffer from anxiety and chronic stage fright.
Yes I know… I DJ for a living. Go figure.
But music really helps me calm the fuck down.
What is your favourite food?
Ooh, that’s a tough one. It’s a toss up between Nasi Lemak and Chicken Rice. But because I was brought up a Gardens boy, i think Chicken Rice wins.
What is the hardest thing you have learned when you were a full-time DJ?
Back in the day, it was a constant hustle for gigs and residencies. Went through a good ten years of that. The uncertainty of keeping your slots at venues and payments coming in on time or even coming in at all was ever present. Keeps you on your toes.
What do you like about music?
It makes my bum take on a life of its own. Seriously though, it has always been a big part of my life since young. I still remember listening to Tom Jones and The Carpenters off an 8 track player in my mum’s car.
My primary one school bus would pick me from home at 6am and stuff like Silver Convention and Eruption would be playing. And my elder brother would be playing his cassettes all the time. Robbie Dupree, Kiss, Foreigner, Hall and Oates, Stevie, EWF, Kool and the Gang, and Red Hot Chili Peppers.
I guess it always takes me back to those times. And I love when it can affect people in the same way when I play my sets. They come up and say ‘Holy crap! i haven’t heard that since forever! Best feeling!’
What was the last book you read?
The Mutt: How to skateboard and not kill yourself. It’s the autobiography of Rodney Mullen.
What is the best trip – of any sort – you have ever been on?
Any time i get to sit on this wooden bench that I call ‘the spot’. It’s on the edge of the cliffs in Uluwatu, Bali.
What is your poison?
That would be what my friends call a 911 (whiskey and beer). 100% hit rate party starter.
What is the first thing you’ll do after answering these questions?
Probably get a teh tarik from the coffee shop.
Tell us about the curated mixtape you’ve put together.
I just got turntable back from servicing. So this City Nomads mix gave me a good excuse to do a set with my small collection of records. It’s mostly house spanning some soul, jazz, breaks, broken beat and some deeper vibes . Stuff that I used to go to Velvet for back in the early 2000s.
[mixcloud https://www.mixcloud.com/citynomadsradio/city-nomads-radio-13-dj-kfc/ width=100% height=120 hide_cover=1 light=1]
Any shouts?
To everyone that has supported me all these years. A big thank you.
To The Lo & Behold Group at which I have worked at since 2007 as a DJ and now as their Music Director. And a special shout to my son. I know you got your bum shake from me. So damn proud! Love you lots buddy.
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