Mixmag Asia Radio 171: Y U QT at Circus Tokyo

It feels as though UKG has never had a stronger foothold in Asia than it does right now. From Tokyo to Seoul, Singapore to Hong Kong, the sound has been absorbed, reinterpreted and sent back out with its own regional character, and the dancefloors have been going off for it.

Darryl and Coop of the duo Y U QT know this better than most, having toured the region consistently for a while now.

Hailing from the motherland of the genre, the Leicester duo have been a fixture on the circuit in Asia for years, and their latest run here only cemented what the crowds already knew; that UKGs were here to stay.

Fresh off the road, we sat down with the pair to talk dancefloor energy, paying homage to the roots…and the eternal question of the wheelback.

Firstly, how’s touring been treating you?

Darryl: Amazing, to be honest. We’re both just laughing and having a wonderful time through it all. It feels great.

Coop: Yeah, it’s been non-stop fun and very little sleep, haha!


You’ve been playing across countless cities recently. What’s something about Asian crowds that genuinely feels different compared to Europe?

Darryl: So different and it’s incredible both ways. Asia is so into it all; every part in every way, all at once. It took some getting used to but it’s amazing to be in the middle of and we’re very appreciative.

Coop: Asian crowds are so energetic. You really get a sense they love and appreciate the music so much. Everyone is an absolute pleasure to play to.


Is there a city or dancefloor in Asia that’s really surprised you lately?

Darryl: Tokyo every time is just nuts. But Seoul was the surprise for us…what a night!

Coop: I really loved the Singapore show. It was such good vibes in the room all night long.


UKG and bass music have exploded globally again over the last few years, but scenes evolve fast. What do you think people are getting right (and wrong) about where the sound is heading?

Darryl: There’s no wrongs in art. I’d rather watch a world grow than stand still. It’s incredible to hear all the throwbacks and all the new sounds colliding.

Coop: I wouldn’t say anyone is getting anything wrong really. For me when the scene moves on its more growth than moving away from something. I think it’s healthy for the scene. Nothing stagnates that way.


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In your opinion, is there enough homage being paid to the roots of the genre?

Darryl: 100%; we all come from it. We’re a product of the beginnings. Whether people go around shouting it all the time or not, the world of music today is here to represent the origins.

Coop: Yeah, I agree. Most people that love music will always pay homage to the roots of any scene. It’s the old stuff that brings you on to the new stuff. Without the roots, there is no now.

Give us your thoughts on wheelbacks; a dancefloor disturbance, or an essential part of the culture?

Darryl: When we first started playing it was a huge part of sets and often uncontrollable and sometimes even pulled by the crowd members, haha. Over time there is a chance it will happen but the room has to be heaving. Most of the time the aim is the flow of the set and the build of chaos.

Coop: I think wheelups exist where and when they need to. In the UKG scene they’ll never go away; it's all a part of the culture and the sound. But I don't think you're gonna see that happening everywhere. For example; it’s not likely to happen somewhere that’s playing house and techno, it’s just not really a part of that sound or style. Which isn’t a bad thing. I think wheelups have their place when the moment’s right.


Where are you based right now, and how much does your environment feed into what you make or play?

Darryl: Leicester. It’s our home town and where we met. For me, it’s my place of peace and not a place I've ever felt the electronic music I make is inspired by. I live in the studio so it’s a lot of inviting people to collaborate from outside and traveling that inspires the music I make and play.

Coop: For me, I’ve always found Leicester a super inspiring place. The first ever club I played was a grotty little basement in Leicester that I went on to be a resident at for a long time. It’s where I met people that inspired me to be a DJ and want to make music. It’s a small scene here but to me it’s one of the best in the world. I would say it’s so important to love where you come from.


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That VIP around 39 minutes in is madness. Are we getting a release anytime soon?

Darryl: That’s by the absolute legend h4rdy, it’s so good! You’d have to ask him. We actually met in Seoul and went for drinks and h4rdy and co.kr played on the same night! It was so nice to finally meet!


Is there an artist, label, or release you think more people should be paying attention to right now?

Both: co.kr and h4rdy kill it every time. Synthekai of the warrior crew; amazing DJ and producer. Of course ryota; he played our first Osaka show and then actually came down to hang this time, such a talented and good guy! sho&tell from Singapore was a great selector too!

Tell us about the Tokyo night this mix was recorded. What was the energy in the room like?

Darryl: It reminded me of a Roman gladiator fight set up, haha! Everyone was surrounded and taking the roof off every few moments. There were some people genuinely losing their minds and it was amazing! The room felt like it had electricity running through the walls.

Coop: Yeah the energy in Circus was immense. You could really feel it.


Japan, alongside a lot of Asia right now, has really embraced the UK sound. What are your thoughts on the co-opting and reinterpretation of these sounds coming from this side of the world?

Coop: I think it’s amazing! To see the sound travel so far and inspire so many people is incredible. It really feeds both ways. I think the reinterpretations work both ways. It’s exciting to hear people’s takes on a sound from the other side of the world and then it feeds right back into inspiring us and the scene back home.


What’s a track you’ve been rinsing in your sets lately and why?

Darryl: ‘Whole Lotta Choppas Dub’.

Coop: Dusky ‘Our Love’. It’s an absolute banger from the Dusky lads. The super sweet vocals are perfectly underpinned by the music which sounds like it could've been made yesterday or 25 years ago. It’s just got that classic sound that’ll get people’s hands in the air and the floor moving.


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And what’s an unexpected track you can’t get enough of in your own time?

Darryl: American Nightmare ‘Self Check-Out’

Coop: Angelo Badalamenti ‘Dark Space Low’. I could listen to this song on repeat forever. It’s so absorbing and truly beautiful.


What’s one thing underground dance music needs less of right now?

Y U QT: Less social media dependance. More music, more venues and more recognition for its importance in the world.

Listen to Y U QT at Circus Tokyo on Mixmag Asia’s SoundCloud.

Henry Cooper is a Writer at Mixmag Asia. Follow him on Instagram.

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