INTERVIEW : Ocean Lam
On her sprawling new release Auditory Touch, the Hong Kong-based producer Ocean Lam strips away all the bells and whistles associated with dance music on a quest to find a pure expression of music and artistry. Obliquely, the track is also a warm love letter to all the left-field artisans of the global scene who are keeping an iconic flame alive. And so, it only makes sense that Auditory Touch is accompanied by three remixes, all enthusiastic exploration of the source material, from Jay Tripwire’s bubbly version to Eduardo De La Calle and Joal’s respectively relentless interpretations. We had a chat with Ocean to discuss music scenes, DJ inspirations and creative processes.
Can you take us through the inspiration behind Auditory Touch? What’s the story behind this release?
It was produced at our local label Typhoon8 Records Studio in Hong Kong, with lots of inspiration from Detroit artists and sounds. The original plan was to release it ourselves, I really didn’t expect it would land on a Detroit label which I've been following since their first release.
Big ups and thank you to MVM for their support and for believing in me. They were also open-minded and gave me the freedom of selecting artists for the remixes, in order to create this beautiful EP!
What tools did you use to create the original track?
Ableton Live, Digitak by Elektron, Microfreak, 808, TR8S. It all started with the Pigment plug-in from Arturia.
Your new release features remixes from Eduardo De La Calle, Joal and Jay Tripwire. What was your reaction when you heard the results?
First of all, they are all favourite artists of mine, and friends. I've been playing their tracks for a very long time, so this is a dream package for me, with lots of love injected. Each remix has its own style and direction, including techno, elegant minimal and acid sounds. I've played them at some gigs already and they all sound very good on the dance floor!
How’s the artistic scene and the crowds in Hong Kong? How does the city inspire you?
The underground scene and crowd here is still quite small. In general, mainstream music is a lot bigger here. However, the vibe is always nice even if it's a small crowd at small clubs. The people are open and always ready for new and interesting sets. I'm born and based in Hong Kong, this place never bores me and always surprises me!
Do you have any tips for young DJs out there? What makes a good DJ set, in your opinion?
Focus more on the music, because music is the language and answer. Keep digging deeper, be yourself, and follow your ears... not the hype.
To have a good set, for me the most important thing is to play the right track at the right time and place, to vibe with your collection and idea. You have to be entertained by your own set too, then you can share your journey and express your feeling to the dance floor and dancers in a nice way (that's just my opinion! haha)
Who are some of your favorite artists at the moment?
At the moment, I really like CYRK who also are my very good friends based in Berlin. I’ve been a big fan for many years and their sets and tracks are always full of energy with Detroit-influences. Jay Tripwire and Oskar Offermann also with their own signature (OG) sounds. Sleep D is another, for their hypnotic bass and super deep vibes.
What’s next for Ocean Lam?
I'm hoping I can finally fly again soon, to see my friends and play some music and dance together at lots of festivals. I'll keep bringing happy vibes to the dance floor and will continue making more music! I'm enjoying life as much as possible.
Auditory Touch is available now via Moteur Ville Musique.
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