An insightful sitdown with Dean Chew, co-founder of Singapore-based label Darker Than Wax and the newly opened listening bar Offtrack,

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With a djing journey that has spanned more than 15 years, Dean Chew (aka Funk Bast*rd) has earned praises from a worldwide range of selectors that include the likes of Gilles Peterson, Lefto, Bradley Zero, Alex Kassian, Kamma and Maslao, San Soda, Hugo LX, Dam-Funk, Dreamcastmoe and more.

Being the co-founder of Singapore-based label Darker Than Wax and the newly opened listening bar Offtrack, Dean has been tirelessly pushing and promoting an alternative expression of lefteld music through his widely eclectic and genre-bending sets. As the main A+R and creative mind behind DTW, the label has flourished tremendously over the past 5 years, cementing its place as one of the go-to labels out of South East Asia.

His musical selections, which traverses across an extensive spectrum from deep jazz to the freshest cuts have left many indelible marks on the dancefloors. A highly respected digger who is also known by many in the circuit for his extensive musical knowledge, technically astute skills, and blends, it’s no surprise that he has warmed up or shared the stage with Bradley Zero, Lefto, Alex Kassian, HAAI, Pablo Valentino, Marcellus Pittman, Pearson Sound, the late Mike Huckaby and many more.

There’s always an element of surprise in his sets - just open them ears.