Our next AV Mix Series – Number 36 arrives from Nick Bong (aka Bongomann). Nick is no stranger to The Analog Vault, previously helming store operations and its label, TAV Records. He is a music selector, music-maker and co-runs the Ice Cream Sundays daytime party collective, and curates the music programming for bar Offtrack.
Starting out on the local circuit since 2018, he’s been cutting his teeth with regular gigs at venues Upstairs and more recently Offtrack, with appearances at festivals such as Boiler Room's Singapore debut. As Bongomann, he has released music on labels Botanic Records, Darker Than Wax, Fauve Records and FuFu Records.
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"I recorded this session on a Thursday night at Offtrack from 8-11pm. I wanted this mix to be a nod to the music that all those years at TAV have blessed me with, while also creating a suitable mix for the people we were serving at Offtrack. Didn’t have a plan in mind, but because these two places are so intrinsically linked through our love of jazz, I tried to connect the dots. Started out with some dub flavours and eventually found my way into the jazzier side of house music. Ended up staying at the same tempo as I attempted to pick that energy up throughout the night, dipping into different music styles throughout. Ended on one of my favourite tunes from Scott Grooves, “Back to My Roots” and I thought that was a pretty fitting place to leave things." — Nick Bong
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We had a quick chat over WhatsApp over the last week while Nick was prepping for the next installment of Ice Cream Sundays.
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The Analog Vault: Hey Nick, where are you at this moment in time and what are you doing right now?
Nick: Right now right now? I’m sitting at Offtrack. Daryl Knows is throwing down a solid set and there’s a really good guest shift at the bar going on! I’m out here prepping a short video for a social media post for my next ep dropping on our label Super Enjoy this month! I’m also low key stressing about those Bali flights being cancelled today because our guest DJs for the next Ice Cream Sundays party are flying from there this weekend. Zooming out a little, I work as the music curator and marketing copywriter for Offtrack, run parties with the Ice Cream Sundays pop up party collective, curate the local lineup and organize AV for Sunda Festival and run a small label Super Enjoy with some very dear friends. I DJ around town every week and make a bit of music in my downtime. Real busy always but it’s all things that light my fire!
TAV: As I recall the last time we spoke and bantered was while at the Merch Launch. I just wanted to thank you again for taking time out to play for us. And you've lost weight! But I understood you’ve been busy with gigs and all. So how are you feeling?
Nick: Ahaha, to be honest I’ve been close to the point of burning out a few times this year, but I’ve been truckin on. I work pretty hard but also play hard when I get the chance to. Thing is, when you DJ every weekend, those chances just become part of your life and you roll with it without thinking too much. I’ve been picking and choosing where I let loose these days and I feel much better, both physically and mentally when I get that balance right - much more sharp and zoned in when I need to be, but also able to tap into that fun and buzzy energy when you need to deliver from the console. If you want longevity, you gotta have some discipline!
TAV: Good and bad I reckon. But I do feel you’ve struck a chord with the audience, which is not an easy task to achieve. If it was me, I would not have survived at all. I’m just a stubborn and selfish old fart and just want to stick to my own esoteric playlist. I would very much be happy to be left to my own devices in an ideal world. But that’s a story for another day perhaps.
Nick: Ahaha no need to be so self deprecating la. The audience doesn’t think deeply about our selections at all, only we do! I suppose the challenge is in connecting with people, cause why the hell are you doing this in the first place? I love it when everything falls into place and you achieve those moments of one-ness with the crowd, it’s a rare and beautiful thing when that happens, cause all you’re doing is adjusting the soundtrack.
TAV: Yeah, totally. But it can get discouraging when a patron tells you or the floor manager that “can the DJ up the tempo?” Then they’re at the wrong place I’m afraid. Music selection is and always will be a subjective topic. So many factors involved in creating an environment that’s on-brand for a specific venue.
Nick: Yeah totally. You don’t go up to a Chicken Rice shop and ask for Briyani right?
TAV: I won’t want to ask you what’s on your mind or inspiration behind the track selection. I feel it’s such a cliché, predictable and condescending question to all DJs & producers alike. But tell me more about the method behind the madness of a night out with Nick?
Nick: I don’t think it’s condescending at all! I was pretty intentional about my music choices that night actually. Or at least I hope I was! I recorded this session on a Thursday night at Offtrack from 8-11pm. I wanted this mix to be a nod to the music that all those years at TAV have blessed me with, while also creating a suitable mix for the people we were serving at Offtrack. Didn’t have a plan in mind, but because these two places are so intrinsically linked through our love of jazz, I tried to connect the dots. Started out with some dub flavours and eventually found my way into the jazzier side of house music. Ended up staying at the same tempo as I attempted to pick that energy up throughout the night, dipping into different music styles throughout. Ended on one of my favourite tunes from Scott Grooves, “Back to My Roots” and I thought that was a pretty fitting place to leave things :)
TAV: Yes! Scott Grooves! This coincidentally leads me to the next burning question in my mind right now. What do you think of club culture (or the lack thereof) and the current state of things. If you don’t want to answer this I totally understand...
Nick: I think Singapore isn't in such a bad place in regard to the so-called life at night to be honest. We do technically have 3 underground leaning clubs (all run by the same group - Thugshop), a bunch of bars you could listen to DJs at around the island and plenty of pop up parties and events to choose from. Also, a new space, Rasa is about to open in late Dec / early 2025 so that's gonna be pretty exciting for our club culture. We're almost on the brink of an over saturation point in fact. If you're into dance music, the options are generally quite plentiful. We do have a major shortage of live venues though, but that's maybe another conversation.
That said though, things have a bit of a ways since the 2023 boom we experienced. People are calling it the revenge partying era. We're well past that now and I do feel the scene generally getting more segmented these days. You don't see too much cross pollination between different crews (I'm not saying it doesn't happen - we just saw a sick collab between bass heads Northeast Social Club and Revision Music with the Keep Hush party last weekend) but it's something we need more of - I know we're all mad busy in hustle & bustle Singapura but it would be great to see people from different crews out there supporting each other's events more.
Another challenge, generally speaking for the state of our club culture is longevity. I do feel that even though we have so many options out there, I'm not sure what the consensus is these days in regard to institutions, longevity, and the idea of 'passing of the baton' from "older DJs" to the younger ones etc etc. Certain things are at the risk of getting lost when that baton is not passed!
TAV: I like it how you put it across: “revenge partying era.” The passing of the baton is crucial, but I’ve always felt there’s a need to fully understand and appreciate the nuances of specific genres and the legacy and history of electronic dance music. This is an open-ended topic!
Nick: Yeah but don’t get me wrong la, it’s important to be irreverent too. It all depends on the context. Things have to move along as people change and music changes with us. But yeah it would be great if there was more of a conscious effort to create opportunities where that baton can be passed. As much as I enjoy being exposed to new styles and people popping up into the scene, I also love listening to an absolute legend like Ramesh just smash it with pure class. You get that feeling of ‘oh damn, this is how it’s done!’
TAV: Yes, Ramesh. I remember he was one of the driving forces back in the day while he was in HMV running the Dance & Soul section! That period opened a whole new world for me, just discovering what the fuss was all about on electronic music. Not to mention, my bank account.
Nick: Bless. I mean u can always trust a DJ who’s worked at a record store right Haha!
TAV: Alright Nick, it was a pleasure and once again thank you for your contribution to this mix series. Have a good rest, I reckon you need it! See you when I see you.
Nick: Thanks for having me! Was fun recording this mix in a live situation instead of at home!
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→ Check out the rest of Nick's archived mixes here.
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