Yum Chat Chats: Anger management with Angger Dimas

Sundays are hard but can be made easier with unexpected delights—so here’s some fluff to get you through it. Inspired by a recent jaunt for dim sum with Miss Yellow in Hong Kong, allow us to deliver a new edition of Yum Cha Chats—which means let’s go eat dim sum and drink tea in Cantonese. The series will dig into the obscure and tasty 'fillings' you never knew about your favourite DJs and have nothing to do with music—every Sunday. Best enjoyed from bed…

Despite having anger in his name, Indonesian DJ and producer Angger Dimas has always been seen as a cheerful and positive presence to those around him. To Dimas, sharing a love of electronic music and good vibes with his audiences is his first and foremost priority.

Since his solo album debut, Angger Management, in 2013, Dimas has been wildly successful internationally with constant collaboration with renowned DJs like Steve Aoki, Nervo, Wendy Marc, and Thomas Gold, just to name a few. While 2020 has been tough for many of us including Dimas, it has not stopped him from being hopeful towards the future.

“I have been dealing with anxiety for the last three years. 2020 has really kicked my ass and there were moments that I was frustrated and resentful. But I know that times like these will pass and rather than leaving myself in anger and sorrow, I started developing these hobbies to help me stay grounded and focus.“

Here are some tips from Angger Dimas on how to stay sane in this crazy world:

There are coffee shops in every shopping arcade, every neighborhood, and every alley here in Jakarta. I opened my own coffee shop, Kopi Kapak, back in 2018 with my cousins helping out as the barista. Since the pandemic, I have been making coffee every day on my own at the shop! I enjoy the complexity of making a good cup of coffee—the selection of coffee beans, the control of water temperature, the way you pour water in. It simply soothes my mind.

Everyone knows Jakarta as this vibrant capital city thronged with cars and crowds, but there is very little mention of the breathtaking countryside. I recently went on a hike in Mount Gede in West Java and seeing a lot of the beautiful scenery stunned me. I am always grateful for all my achievements in music, but even more grateful now for being able to witness such staggering views gifted by Mother Nature. So go on a hike whenever you feel like you’re in a slump.

I have been playing chess with my friends since way before ‘The Queen’s Gambit’ became a global phenomenon. There is something addictive about playing chess. You need a laser-sharp mind, as well as utmost and undisturbed concentration during the game. But what I savor the most is how one can get creative under such intense circumstances. Making unpredictable moves is far more satisfying to me than winning a game.

Soccer is wildly popular among kids growing up in South East Asia. It is spontaneous and accessible. You can make do with 2 people or 20 people. What I love most about the sport is the strategic value within. In a way, football is like chess to me; you need to concentrate on enemies’ moves and retaliate with a quick response accordingly. It is also fun to watch a game with all my friends

Indonesians are never shy about showing their love and care for friends and families. It is in our blood. This year has been tough for all of us, and I am blessed to be surrounded by them. Spending quality time with them really revitalizes my energy. This might seem cliche, but they do give me new perspectives on my creative process.