Mixmag Asia Radio: APACHI intensely blends techno, rock & grimy beats

Embedding a definitive brand stamp on Korea's forward-thinking electronic music scene, APACHI is by no means a newcomer when it comes to turning heads in all directions.

Intense by music, yet quiet by personal philosophy, APACHI classifies himself as an "eternal rockstar" who exudes energetic prowess. His artistic endeavours have been captured by local entities including THERIOTZ!, Hexa Records and AlterEgo Seoul.

A regular at Cakeshop, and one who appeared on the Boiler Room Korea line up in 2016, APACHI has also made appearances on Rinse FM, and is currently touring as the DJ for pop star CL's World Tour.

As he mentions at the end of his interview below, we can expect to see 'APACHI THE BAND' as his new live performance format, following the drop of a full-length album early next year.

Where are you based and how did you get there?

I'm based in Seoul. Seoul is the capital of South Korea, so it's a natural fit because it's the centre of all things cultural.


What’s your favourite thing about being there?

Seoul is a very fashionable city, and all cultures blend together quickly. I like that.


In five words, what do your DJ sets sound like?

Dance, electronic, man, rock, rhythm.


And in three words, how would you describe yourself?

Man, DJ, pioneer.


What recent trends in music have you been paying attention to? Have you caught onto them?

As the pace of music has increased and music streaming has become more popular, the overall length of music is getting shorter and shorter. As a result, the formal development of songs has become more complex and varied. That's where it gets interesting and fun.


Are there any producers and DJs in Asia that have recently caught your attention?

I would like to introduce you to some great DJs who are either from Seoul or are on their way to becoming world-class.

Avalon - Avalon is a South Korean deejay and producer who is churning out quality electro tracks like crazy right now. Expect to see him in Europe soon!

DJ CO.KR - DJ CO.KR is a deejay and producer based on UK dance music and world music. He has already appeared on Boiler Room several times and he is one of the Korean DJs who is expanding globally.

Didi Han - Didi Han is a DJ and producer based between Paris and Seoul, who travels between Paris and Seoul to provide quality performances and music.


We’d love to know what you think about AI in music. Are you worried or excited about AI advancement in music?

It's unlikely to change much. At first, I thought online-related performances and industries would become more active, but now that the pandemic is over, they seem to be more enthusiastic about coming together offline. But I do wonder how it will be utilised in the future for DJs and producers.


Tell us about the inspiration behind this mix - what drove your thoughts and emotions, and how did you curate your selection?

I'm heavily influenced by 90s and early 2000s rock and, of course, dance music. So it's probably a lot of rave and dance music with an emphasis on British beats, electronic bands and French electronic music. As those things came out, I tried to mix them as much as possible with techno to make them fit in with the current times. That's what I usually do.


What equipment did you record this mix on?

Pioneer CDJ 2000 NXS x 2, Pioneer DJM 900 NXS and Ableton Live.


What’s the weirdest thing you’ve ever seen happening from the DJ booth?

South Korea is known around the world for its safety. As a result, there aren't many dangerous or weird things that happen here. That's why we can play safely all night long.


Where can we hear you playing next?

This week I was invited to play in a city called Gwangju in South Korea. In early December, I will open a pop-up store with a fashion brand called VCTR, which I am working with, and will organise an after-party at a club (more info coming soon!). Then, in January, I will release a full album, followed by performances in concert format.