Meet Hong Kong-based post-genre producer and DJ, ASJ.

 

Tell us a little bit about yourself.

I am a Hong Kong-based post-genre producer and DJ. ASJ refers to ‘A Spiritual Journey’. Life is a playground, a constant reminder of the purpose I come on earth for, to be what I am passionate at and become one with the universe.

 

Describe the city you’re living in and what it’s like to live there.

Hong Kong is the world’s international financial center. Therefore, you can meet people from different countries around the world here. It is an extremely dense city, but it’s convenient to go anywhere around the city because there are many transportations to choose from. Since it’s so convenient it also doesn’t take long if you want to get away from city life and get in touch with nature.

Living in Hong Kong is definitely not easy unless you are rich. To be honest, just by walking on the streets can already make you feel stressed. As I was born and raised in HK, I have absorbed the hustle and bustle culture immensely, since I came back to HK, I realized I am always rushing physically or mentally. Living in HK is all about speed and how much work can be done in a day.

 

Living in HK is all about speed and how much work can be done in a day.

What is the best and worst thing about living in your city?

The best thing living in HK is that it is my hometown. I am used to the language the culture and everything. It is the most familiar city that makes me feel comfortable to stay in.

The worst thing living in HK is that it is too crowded. In general, people are always hurrying to achieve something and it’s always competitive.

 

Give us 3 words that describe what it’s like to be a creative in your city.

Balance, Patience, Energizing

 

How did you start your career in music?

I started off with music production and djing when I was pursuing my university studies in Taiwan. Everything started off from my experience of a spiritual awakening. When I realized I can’t waste my time anymore that I should at least respect myself to do what I enjoy. I started to participate in different music-related activities actively, then gradually I got inspired by some producers that I met in TW and started producing. When I started to respect and love myself more, every encounter is a blessing. Through experimentation and the people that I met absolutely influenced my sound a lot. And then I joined UnderU and a local HK underground music label Absurd Trax in 2016 and released my first album ‘The Road to Become One’.

 

Everything started off from my experience of a spiritual awakening. When I realized I can’t waste my time anymore that I should at least respect myself to do what I enjoy.

 

Were the people around you supportive of your decision on working as a creative?

Actually, when I first started out, I kept it as a secret for myself, because subconsciously I know I would definitely receive criticism from people who don’t understand it, then I would doubt myself and stop doing it. This is somehow also related to my childhood. Back then when I was young, I gave up easily because I got affected by people’s opinions easily. So I decided not to tell anyone and won’t let self-doubt stop me. I let the result speak itself for me. It’s much easier this way than explaining what my decision was. But in general, the right people who are working in the same field, like my producer friends, they are totally supportive, we make tracks together, go to events together, and get inspired together. You really do need a supportive network to keep yourself going, being an underground artist in HK.

 

You really do need a supportive network to keep yourself going, being an underground artist in HK.

 

What are some goals and ambitions you have for your future work?

Move to Berlin, make more quality music and mv, got my next release done before September, touring around Asia and Europe

 

If you could collaborate with any person in the world who would it be?

SOPHIE, Billie Eilish, bonobo, Tzusing, MUMDANCE, Evian Christ, HYPH11E, ytem, Dis Fig, Mobilegirl, M.E.S.H, coucou chloe, shy girl, Sabiwa, 33emybw, Airmax 97, object blue, and moreeee!!!

 

How would you describe the women around you?

Self-conscious, empowering, and badass.

 

 

Were there any local female creatives that you looked up to when you were growing up?

Back then when I was small I looked up to a few Hong Kong pop stars like Twins, Joey Yung, etc. because that was the only music that I got I exposed to. But as I grew older and started to get access to the internet, I got to explore more international artists, I started to look up to female creatives like Emika, Alison Wonderland, FKA twigs, Bjork, Sonia Calico, Meuko Meuko, etc.

Are there any challenging aspects of being a female in your industry?

Back then being a female in the music industry, people might have a perception of thinking female has a lack of ability to do ‘men’s work’ and they have to be pretty in order to get into the industry. I’ve heard there were harassment cases at certain platforms before, so it could be a challenge too. But for me, I’m lucky enough to not receiving too many criticisms or be seen as different than other producers or DJs. I think the TW/HK underground music scene is more or less to embrace those differences and let men and women be equally treated.

 

Do what you love and love what u do, you will eventually attract what you are in a vibrational match to.

Do you have any advice to young women who are aspiring to work in your field?

If you want to work in the music field, I suggest you don’t hesitate and do what is right for you. It’s best to start from the basics, find software that are free to use and work with it first, remember the most expensive software doesn’t mean it is the best, use what you already have to master your craft and make it good, then eventually you will find what suits you the best. Also, don’t give up and keep the momentum going, do what you love and love what u do, you will eventually attract what you are in a vibrational match to. Most importantly, enjoy the process. 🙂

 

 

Photos courtesy of ASJ.