Hello: Oliver Osborne

What do you think are some of the biggest challenges that artists in Asia experience in trying to break out and get gigs? What would you like to see happen to change this?

That would depend on what you mean by ‘break out’ but in terms of getting gigs and putting your self in a position to be successful, there are a few core things that I think are important.

Own your sound: This is not to say that DJs need to rigidly stick to one sound, more that it is important to own what you play. DJs over here often play the same places on a regular basis, so it is important to keep your sets as fresh as possible. There are obviously a lot of ways to do this, and it’s not just about buying the latest tracks. I recently dug out a load of minimal bangers from 8 or 9 years ago, and have been putting them in my sets. There have been getting some great reactions, and have really lent a different sound to my sets.

Own your social media presence: It is important to decide what platforms you want to be on and make sure that they are working for you. Keep your SoundCloud/Mixcloud accounts up to date. Why should I book someone who hasn’t uploaded a mix in over a year? How much do they care?

Produce music: I think it is almost essential for any DJ wanting to be successful to produce music that they are proud of. Like the point above, it demonstrates a certain seriousness about music that I think looks great in the eyes of anyone looking to book/support you.

If we are talking ‘breaking out’ in terms of achieving recognition on the global stage, I am perhaps not the best person to talk to. However it would great to see major labels investing money in electronic music acts outside of the EDM quagmire.

What other Asian DJs and producers should we look out for?

JonnyVicious is killing it at the moment. I listen to a lot of music and hear a lot of people play but he always does something that impresses me. I just love his sound.

Also the Bangkok big boys Sunju Hargun and Dan Buri. I know they are on everyone’s radar already but everyone needs to look out for them blowing up and really getting some heavyweight international recognition.

What’s the biggest problem in the world today?

Racist idiots who act like they don’t know that they’re racist idiots.

If the world were ending, what’s the last track you would play?

That one by Ricardo Villalobos that, in the words of Jack Murphy, “sounds like a calculator falling down the stairs, for 46 minutes.” Just to give us a bit more time…

Actually it would probably be ‘She Might’ by Barotti.

In five years, I will be…

Making more music and getting it signed with my favourite labels. And talking about my residency at Stereo in Montreal.