Unknown White Powder label honcho Jing Lekker lets loose on Mixmag Asia Radio

For Taiwanese, Berlin-based artist Jing Lekker, it's all about love, diversity and connecting through passion.

The young creative is a classically trained musician turned electronic music producer, DJ, composer and writer — to expand her musical horizons outside of Asia, she settled herself in Berlin after turning 21 and has continued on an exploratory path since. In addition to blossoming her own artist career, she runs her newly founded label Unknown White Powder, she spends her time on her "sort-of new-wave mandarin-pop" music project called 郵票小姐.

With roots firmly planted in Taipei, and creative branches stemming out of Berlin, Lekker has quickly become a producer and performer on the radar of clubs and promoters worldwide; check out her show schedule below as easy proof.

Tune in to Mixmag Asia Radio with Jing Lekker below.

Where are you based and how did you get there?

I am based between Taipei and Berlin at the moment, gravity brought me to both places :)

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

Diversity and mutual acceptance.

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

Fun, 'moon in Aries', trippy, humour, unexpected full-time Aquarius.

And in three words, how would you describe yourself?

Love, trippy, smiley.

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

Brazilian electronic music! I love the energy and the way it all sounds together, I feel the heat!

I've been following artists like Badsista and Eram who I found really cool. And I will be releasing another, also very cool, artist from Brazil next month on my label Unknown White Powder — her name is Nara Vaez.

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

I’m always observing and trying my best to witness as much talent who, in my opinion, spread art — I’m constantly seeking passion that you can feel from their shining pupil when it comes to music. From Taiwan, there are more than three I could mention. So I will.

Katrina - every DJ’s teacher. She started very early on and her passion has had a big impact on the local community. We play together back to back and she has a similar signature sound. Playing with her is so much fun... Killer tracks only :)

Ao Wu - he’s an example of accidental perfectionism, super wide range of sound — I could dance all night to him :)

Meuko! Meuko! - She is just full of powerful energy. A new-age punk pioneer is how I would describe her. As a long-term NTS radio resident, she's a great selector, and also a great observer of the music and art communities. She’s an artist with no doubt.

There are others too who I'd like to mention including up-and-coming queer artists like Yexiao, Genmital, Yoni and JiJi Hardy. Sunju Hargun always has really original stuff. Tzu Ni from Taiwan only plays live analogue, who I find really sick!

In fact, all the Asian artists I've met so far are genuine and original; I feel their passion, and that becomes a true point of connection for me. I love how we can all glow together in the dark :)

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

AI is on the rise, and how much skill you have may no longer matter but how much you are linked to art and how to be pure from a flesh and bones perspective, how to notice the difference between humans and AI... we need to take a deep breath, forget about everything from the school where we became used to the systematic concept of surviving. We must learn the beauty of not being flawless and perfect, finding our way home to the heart, nothing will be an obstacle to moving forward and finding the future is now, by then we will generate a part of ourselves and become a new-age humanoid soul.

Then, we will not be just surviving, we will be living.

At that magical moment, the worst can only be the worst, and better can only be great, so we must keep our environment a safe space so a discussion is the beginning of a solution. Fighting and competition are now in the past, like a bit of leftover fast food from the old generation.

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

I curated all the tracks — this mix is a one-time-go-mix in a place I have never been. I wanted to challenge myself and the audience as I play the same track twice after a track with vocals; I wonder if anybody will notice as the BPM is very different, almost like a proper pop-song way of composition around a chorus. There are plenty of 'vocals of the internet meme' kinda-vibe, that Y2K kids will probably pick up on :)

This particular part is challenging for myself and the audience, and is how a moon in Aries should act! haha

I put in a new sort of Y2K vibe for the beginning from Evita Manji and Taiwanese hip-hop producer/singer RICHBOI周譽 who I consider very talented and look forward to more works from him. Diversity is my fetish if I may say so.

What equipment did you record this mix on?

cdj2000 + cdj900 + Allen & heath 92 + Beyerdynamic DT700 Pro + ZoomH4N

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

Someone's head was smashed by a bouncer with a beer bottle, and I am totally against violence in my circle so this sort of thing rarely happens. It definitely affects the moment when you are DJing, but the show must go on… just like if I really want to pee when I'm DJing but I can’t, I will still hold it till the last moment.

Where can we hear you playing next?

Here are some upcoming dates.

4/7 @mjut_ , Leipzig

4/8 @100__ve , Venice

4/14 @vril_01, @zenner.berlin

4/21 @organik_festival

I'll also be playing at these spots in Asia soon:

Vurt in Seoul - Probably my favourite club in Korea, that is run by super passionate people and has a sound system that is just smooth to the ears.

Savage in Hanoi - Heard so many things about it and it’s run by Ouissam.

Pawnshop- The best sound system in Taipei in my opinion, and the curation is always fun; you never know what they will programme next.

Final - Best diversity in Taipei and a hot spot for young artists.

Oto - A new venue in the south of Taiwan — Kaoshiung, never been, heard a lot about it and look forward

Grey Area - New up and coming place in Taipei, with proper setup equipment and a cool vibe :) I have organised parties there before and will be doing a first-release party for my label Unknown White Powder.

Pure G at Final - an event organiser from Taiwan that I found really cool with a deep focus on deep curation :) Xinping is the guy behind them, and I'm really looking forward to the gig!