Known by the stage name AKA Sounds, Amanda Keisha Ang is no ordinary DJ. From frequently spinning at the genre-agnostic Kampong Boogie at the Projector X, to playing at luxury brand events and an upcoming stint at the Singapore Grand Prix, she’s as much of a multi-hyphenated talent as they come. Ang is also the co-founder of all-girl music collective Attagirl! and part of the bass collective Baowbaow, focusing on music genres such as vogue, UK garage, grime, footwork jungle, and UK dubstep. The 37-year-old opens up about music, her deepest desires, and why that quiet confidence in a man, is the way to her heart.
When and how did you pick up deejaying?
I first started when I was 19, at a deejay studio called Frontallabs, but lost touch with it until 2012 during the FFF Girl DJ Bootcamp held at the old Zouk at Jiak Kim. I started practising with records and turntables first, then with digital music on CDJs (digital music players). Being a part of the FFF group allowed me to meet other like-minded girls and that gave me a lot of motivation to continue, as they became friends I could practice with.
Was music a big part of your childhood?
My dad was an avid music lover and record collector, so I grew up with the habit of collecting music. He always supported my musical pursuits and bought me my first cassette tape, CD, and guitar setup. I really got into the riot grrrl/punk/metal/ alt-rock scene and a lot of my musical influences come from classic rock ‘n’ roll. Hip-hop and dub came into my life around the same time, simply through associations with subcultures like skateboarding and street art.
What’re the challenges of being a deejay in Singapore?
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