Mixmag Asia Radio: Chucheewa wraps an inspiring year of touring Europe & Asia into an 85-min mix

May Chucheewa Cheepchol has proven to be a musical force in her bustling hometown, Bangkok.

One-half of the rising dynamic duo Acid Sister, Chucheewa fearlessly explores music on her own terms. "No music, no life" is her motto. She defies the usual conventions of an artist in the electronic DJ space with her musical background as a singer-songwriter for independent band projects; as Fwends, she dabbles in indie rock and with Cloud Behind, you'll hear her side of psychedelic dream pop.

As a co-founder of Soundkoh Collective, a concert promoter, and a festival curator, she unites communities and ignites dance floors with her glistening sets.

The Thai artist's unconditional love for all things groovy is a catalyst for her greatest ambition: bringing people together.

For this week's episode of Mixmag Asia Radio, we tune into the diverse and authentic selection of Chucheewa.

Where are you based and how did you get there?

Bangkok — I grew up in Kanchanaburi, the riverside 2 hours away from Bangkok and moved to Bangkok after 10 years old to live with my mom. Lived in Koh Phangan with my uncle for two and half years during Covid and moved back here after the pandemic.


What’s your favourite thing about the music scene there?

It’s cosy, fun, chill, not in a rush kind of vibe and full of all kinds of music even though we're a small community. And I like to see how people are passionate about music and are willing to share. Older and Younger generations are connecting to each other more in an open-minded way.


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

Emotional, loving, bipolar, thankful, rock.


And in three words, how would you describe yourself?

Lively, survivor... alive


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

I’m not sure what’s on the trends at the moment, but I'm starting to dig more into the 90’s house music, tech house and some psychedelic ambient sounds that I like to mix into my set. I don’t know sometimes how to call all genres correctly but I do have one playlist I like to listen to very often called ‘Slow Groovy Spacey Ambient Funk Shit’, haha!


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

To choose only three is very hard! I wish I could put a long list together because there are so many DJs in Asia and globally who have inspired me and made the scene so lovely. I would say...

The Photo Sticker Machine from Thailand — he is one of my music mentors for life; his album from 2002 called ‘Color Lab' is something that I play in most of my sets. It’s truly timeless for me. He never stops creating and whatever he creates it sounds amazing and touches your heart.

Dean Chew from Singapore. He’s so inspiring as a real artist in many colourful and crafty ways. He inspires me to just go 100% with every gig you accept and share the good energy with people always.

Mogwaa from Korea. As a guy who never stops producing good stuff and keeps the coffee content strong and fun on his IG since day one. I met him in 2019 at Wonderfruit!


Describe one prediction you have about dance music in a post-pandemic world that’s being driven by new technologies.

“LOVE WINS AND LASTS, MUSIC WILL HEAL EVERYTHING”

Technologies are always good, especially for people who know how to use them. As long as it’s driven by authenticity and passion and love in music. I think it’d take everyone to a good place anyway, which is to celebrate LIFE.

For me personally, I think people probably miss analogue or something more touching, more crafted and slower than the rushing world right now. As I started to learn how to DJ with digital files, now I also have my vinyl mixing routine at home to practise and it feels challenging and fun.

But I still think it shouldn’t be a subject to debate about for example how a real DJ has to play vinyl only and stuff like that — we should appreciate whoever has good intentions to share their music with the world.

I can’t really predict anything about the scene but I do feel that music will generate the same kind of people to finally meet each other more and more. This is based on my own life experiences, with all the amazing old and new friends that music has brought into my life; people who have deep love and passion for music and art. I’m pretty sure this will keep happening! “TRENDS COME AND GOES, MUSIC WITH SOUL STAYS”!


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

It’s all inspired by things that happened this year, especially my trips to Europe and around Asia, and an amazing time in Bali. Everything I had experienced during this summer was something valuable and deep in my heart that money cannot buy. Family and wonderful friends I met along this journey inspired me to do whatever I want; to enjoy life, feel loved, and be thankful for music. It’s the inspiration from people’s love, kindness, fun, craziness and arts that drove my thoughts and emotions during the mix.

I curated this mix starting from my unreleased vocal track that I made five years ago and feel like it's the perfect time to put this track into this mix. The rest I was following the flow and semi-struggling sometimes during the set, haha! I also added some of my good friends' tracks that inspired me and I want people to hear, too.


What equipment did you record this mix on?

Pioneer - XDJ RR


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

From the DJ booth, the weirdest thing I've seen is people acting rude, failing to appreciate their luck, and not realising they should be nice to everyone. It doesn't matter who they are — maids, vendors, technicians, staff, guards, DJs or the crowd, everyone deserves respect and kindness. It’s very simple and easy — remind yourself you’re not in a war zone, if you get what I mean. It’s weird right?


Where can we hear you playing next?

- 14 October: Chucheewa live with The Photo Sticker Machine @ Noise House
- 20 October: with Acid Sister @ Tuff Club, Singapore
- 21 October: Chucheewa @ Offtrack X Summer Sound, Singapore
- 11 November: with Acid Sister for Romrom @ Never Normal, Bangkok
- 14-18 December: with Acid Sister @ Wonderfruit Festival, Thailand
- 31 December: with Acid Sister @ Fly to The Moon Festival, Koh Mak

For more gigs, check out my Instagram page!