RCGNTN Interviews Koflow

So yeah, it is about another 20 hours before Koflow's album launch and judging from the vibe, it seems that there is a great amount of hype and energy in the local scene. Local magazine, RCGNTN ran an interview with Koflow, as he talks about his album launch, the current scene and the future of DJing & Turntablism.

RCGNTN Interview: Koflow

Someone who needs no introduction, Wayne Liu (aka Koflow) has been garnering respect in his craft with his signature scratch sounds which boast of a unique flair, creativity and versatility ever since his inception in 2001. Perhaps what is truly remarkable is his intense dedication and passion for DJing, believing firmly in the fundamentals of DJing and turntablism to create some of the sickest beats you’ll ever hear.

With the rising popularity of DJing coupled with the rising numbers, DJing and turntablism has possibly lost its value with many in the pursuit of fame and recognition; so much so that sustainability, substance and the thirst for knowledge, both fundamental and not, is a rare find. With his first album titled The Turntable Instrumentalist, we find out more about DJing, the art of turntablism and how it’s dying as an artform.

How did you get started on music, and specifically why DJing?
Skateboarding got me started on this music thing. I’ve always wanted to be a musician of some sort, but I never got the chance to learn any musical instrumental when I was younger. It is through DJing I get to be a musician of any sort, except that I don’t know how to read notes!

You’ve never stopped making every gig you’ve played at a completely mind-blowing one, how do you do it?
Really? (laughs) No one told me that before. I think what makes a difference is that I do not stop learning, and when I learn something ‘fresh’ I find a way to put it out there.

What inspires you?
Musicians and funk.

Tell us more about your very first album, The Turntable Instrumentalist.
It’s an album that I hope I could use to express myself through all the samples that I’ve found, and crafted it into a story. Songs aside, there is also the side B of the album where I further demonstrate the use of the turntable as a musical instrument to test myself as an instrumentalist. With 6 other musicians, we headed into a jamming studio and recorded the whole 4 hour freestyle jam session from which I choose the best of the 4 hrs and edited it to 21mins. It’s also really to once again back track, and send the message across that not all DJs create ‘party’ music. Some of us prefer our music to have some substance and certain artistic direction to things.

Is there a background story behind it?
The story behind it is simple, I’m using the turntable as a tool of expression, a musical tool and instead of using the turntable simply as a playback/mixing machine, I wanna use it as a different platform for music.

What inspirations did you draw from for this album?
Love and Life, the substance that I wanna have in my music.

What can we expect from it?
Lots of scratch dialogue to put you in a state of mind at a different dimension.

Turntablism and DJing: difference?
People who practice turntablism are nerds/hermits, staying home to perfect their skills, while people who practice DJing are party people, out every week having fun!

Is turntablism dying as an artform?
Yes, to a certain extent it is, cos most peeps get in touch with DJing before turntablism, and turntablism is just way tougher than DJing, hence the amount of time needed to fame or recognition is much longer.

What about the existence of the DMC championships? Do they still run on their core purpose?
I would just say that DMC is going through a lot of changes and I assume the London head office is trying to figure the best way to host the competition since it got jaded, and many DJs in the world are printing their own dub plates to battle, which doesn’t help either. At my part of the world, DMC Singapore has became a game, where ‘rich’ DJs pay for top producers to produce their records to battle and the ‘poor’ ones are still keeping the spirit of the turntablism by buying records off the shelf to compete. No disrespect to anyone, but in my opinion, it’s really no longer who is the best turntablist; it had become who can hype the crowd better.

What is the state of the local clubbing scene? How is it different from how it was when you first started out?
Not much difference actually, just different generations. But I would say, we have more people doing their own nights. Introducing different styles of music to different audiences! Which is good cos, we save the peeps who don’t know how to tell the difference between good music and cheesy music to the big clubs!

What is the state of hiphop DJs/ turntablists today?
Just the same as how people can’t tell from what’s hip hop and what’s rap. When it comes to a hip hop party, everyone is out… but when it comes to a real hip hop night, the turnout can sometimes be rather disappointing.

How has the music scene progressed ever since you started out?
It progressed in the number of DJs, which also means there is an increased amount of people who want alternative music than what the media has to offer.

Everyone can be a DJ - your take?
Of cos, even grandmothers are starting to DJ. Ain’t that something!! (laughs) Ya what really I wanna say is that everyone is a dj, but not everyone is a turntablist!

What does it take to be one?
Knowledge, skill, a good sense of rhythm, understanding of music, discipline, being ‘Fresh’ and originality - that is if you wanna be a good DJ!

What do you believe should be the qualities of a good DJ?
Someone who bothers to dig out old music to learn, a taste maker, and someone who believes in themselves!

If you were given a chance to broadcast something to aspiring DJs (advice, tracks, etc) what would it be?
Check out ‘SCRATCH’:The Documentary...Peace!

Please do check out the RCGNTN website and the original interview here.

Big props to the good people from RCGNTN, for their work in showcasing local talents and their great effort for pushing the local scene as well. I have been following their website in recent months and I must say, I am impressed by the amount of work they have put in.

It can be a thankless and tough job when people do not appreciate the work that these people have put forth but they still find the drive in them to keep pushing on. Kudos to the RCGNTN team! As the RCGNTN team best puts it: It's time to not only start appreciating, but to start believing. The local scene has more to offer, believe that. = )