We interview Escape 56 promoter and local DJ, Zig Zach, prior to this house and techno party on 4 November
Clearly, as much as brunch and cocktails, we love a smashin’ party in the clubs that Singapore has to offer. But sometimes, that just doesn’t cut it for us. Earlier in September, we found ourselves raving ’til the wee hours of the morning to trippy techno in the unlikely venue of Aliwal Arts Centre, all thanks to one of the boldest and perceptive promoters in the scene today, Zig Zach. We could wax lyrical about the artsy films he screened that night or the edgy ensemble of local DJs he assembled for his Escape 56 pop-up party, but instead, how about you just immerse yourself in the next one?
Yup, Escape 56 is back on 4 November, to be held in a dingy, drab industrial estate in Bukit Merah (Haven’t heard of it? That’s the point!). A far cry from your sheltered club rave, this shady shindig is a team-up between Zig Zach, Jägermeister, and the folks behind The Henderson Project. Local DJs, Mr. Has and Maurice Simon, warm up the decks with waves of underground house and techno, followed by none other than Germany’s very own Âme, one of the hugest, most revered names in the deep/tech-house circuits today as co-founders (the other one being the indomitable Dixon) of the Innervisions imprint. Here to tell us more about what more to expect, his party philosophy and thoughts on the local nightlife scene, is Zig Zach himself. Hats off to him!
Hey Zach! Could you tell us about your personal philosophy behind the parties that you organise?
For me, quality is always the main priority, especially the quality of sound and the quality of music that comes out of those speakers. You’d be surprised by how many half-assed sound systems I’ve played on. I put in a great sound system at every party I throw and I book quality international guest DJs and local DJs. I like to think of my parties as a place that music lovers go to, and a place where people who keep it real hang out at.
So what is Escape 56?
Escape 56 is an idea and concept that I came up with; I wanted to do pop-up parties at interesting venues to escape and break away from the routine of going to clubs and bars week-in-week-out. So I contacted the guys at Jagermeister, who had already been helping me out with previous parties, and I told them about this idea and showed them all the venues and stuff I had in mind up ’til 2017… and the rest is history. And you’re still wondering about the number 56, it comes from the number of herbs used to make Jagermeister.
The venues you pick for your parties are diverse to say the least – from hotel rooftops and arts hubs, to even Chinese junks! Why do you always feel the need to keep punters on their toes?
I love to go out and listen to good music, but it gets monotonous after a while. I’m sure some of the partygoers feel the same; with the lack of venues in Singapore, it means you’re always going to the same few ones. Don’t get me wrong, they are great, but… they’ll be there next weekend. As a promoter, I want to be different from the others, and I put in a lot of time and effort to be different by hunting for venues and coming up with crazy ideas or even just looking out for interesting guest DJs to bring in. I enjoy the challenge of trying to make my next party better than the last. I want people to know that there are cool parties with quality music on this tiny island and that it’s something worth breaking your routine of going to the same places over and over.
We reckon it must be logistically demanding for you too?
It can get really tiring doing this alone and stressful, as I’m using mainly my own funds to throw all these parties! But you know, if you really love doing something, nothing is easy and it’s always a risk. I run most of the organisation alone, and then when it comes closer to the date, I start to break up the work to the different teams I’ve been working with. It’s a good synergy that we have and I’m really lucky to have them believe in my plans and ideas.
Could you give us a heads-up on what kind of venue we can expect from this upcoming shindig?
The venue is located in an industrial estate in Bukit Merah, which isn’t too far from the city. The space belongs to Dream Academy, a theatre production company whose founding artistic director is Selena Tan, and is mainly used for rehearsals. They are a creative and outgoing bunch of people and are actually huge fans of Âme too! When they aren’t doing their usual theatre stuff, The Henderson Project is the creative platform that they came up with to collaborate on projects across genres and arty hearty parties.
Just like film screenings in your previous Escape 56 gig, there’s gonna be some pre-party entertainment at this one too. What can you tell us about it so far?
This is actually a very interesting and educational ‘pre-party’ for music lovers, producers and students. Let me explain what it’s all about.
In late March next year, The Henderson Project intends to hold a two-night concert that aims to bring the dance club into the concert hall. It’s a tribute to Zouk at Jiak Kim Street and its influence it has had on the local clubbing scene in the last 25 years. The concert will combine two vastly different music disciplines – house music which Zouk introduced to Singapore, and the impact of a 40- to 60-piece classical orchestra backed up by modern instruments, live vocalists and other guest celebrity artists. If it happens, this will be the first time a cross-genre concert of this kind will be held here in Singapore, and possibly Southeast Asia.
For this pre-party, those interested in catching a glimpse of what’s in store are more than welcome to join in during the workshop. A few key musicians from the orchestra will be working on trying to recreate one of Âme’s tracks that is intended to feature in the concert next year. There will also be a Q&A, and depending on the progress made during the workshop, there might be a mini-performance at the end!
Sounds thrilling! How long have you been DJ-ing yourself?
I picked up DJ-ing when I was 20; I worked for these English guys who were already into DJ-ing and house music. The gym had a pair of technics 1200s and they used to throw some crazy parties on the weekends when the gym was closed. I started to DJ more and do club nights only after I stopped fighting professionally.
Yeah, tell us about that! We hear that you’re really big on Muay Thai culture too?
I’ve been doing Muay Thai since I was 16. I fell in love with the sport so much that, after National Service, I moved to Thailand and lived in boxing camps to pursue a professional fight career. I’ve had 35 Professional Fights, 25 Wins (12 by Knockouts) and 10 Losses. I was also the first Singaporean to win a World Muay Thai Tournament Belt, the first Singaporean to win at the legendary Lumpinee Stadium, and I was even on a Muay Thai reality TV show called The Contender Asia. Part of me misses the old training and fighting lifestyle, but I’m at a different stage of my life and I’m enjoying it just as much.
What are your thoughts on the local nightlife scene in Singapore right now?
The scene here has grown tremendously in the last three to four years. I run the BLACKOUT Singapore page, and I can see the number of members rising consistenly. Each party I throw, I meet new faces, that have now become regulars at all my parties. There are more and more people getting into good electronic music, and also more people getting educated about the electronic music culture. We’re slowly but surely headed in the right direction.
Do you have any favourite bars to recommend, or spots for chilling out on the isle?
I’m more of a foodie than a drinker, but I do love my Gin & Tonics. So far, one of the best Hendricks Gin & Tonic I’ve tried is from El Tardeo, a Spanish restaurant on Craig Road. It’s just perfect! They also have a good variety of Gins from all over and each G&T is prepared and garnished differently. Oh, they also do a mean squid ink paella!
Another nice place to hang and chill with friends would have to be the outdoor patio of Lucha Loco on Duxton. They’ve really hit the nail on the head with that whole set-up. Great food, good selection of music, a wide range of tasty cocktails and being outdoors on the grass on a nice evening makes it even better.
Is it true that this will be your last party for the year?
2016 has been a big year for me, from throwing down a bunch of parties this year, to starting up a booking agency and touring with some international DJs. I’m also in the midst of starting a record label called 3rd Kultur with my buddies Eric Volta & Theo. So I guess you can say I’ve been a busy bee and I need a break to recharge.
Yikes. How long will we have to wait?
You guys wont have to wait too long for the next party. I’m already in talks with a venue for February 2017 to do a mini festival kinda thing. It’s gonna be very very sick, and I just hope you guys can keep up from dusk ’til dawn!
Escape 56: The Henderson Project with ÂME, 4 November, 7pm-4am, 203 Henderson Road, Bukit Merah Estate, Singapore 159546. $55 with one drink at door, all payments made via WAAVE.