DJ Frankie Lam has been part of the Hong Kong clubbing scene for eons. Raised in Sha Tin, Lam became interested in electronic music in his late teens. “I didn’t even care about the music at that stage,” he laughs. But soon his growing interest turned to knowledge, then passion, and before he knew it he was part of our nascent nightlife scene. Although starting off with a trance-techno feel, he’s since moved toward a more euphoric easy-listening tech-house vibe, helping to establish its regular presence on the scene with the weekly club night Push at Fly. However, always looking to progress and change the shape of Hong Kong’s electronic landscape, Lam reveals his next project is to bring back breakbeats to the forefront of local music. We caught up with him in Central’s The Blck Brd to find out what makes him tick.

What is your fondest music memory?
This track called Russian Radio by Red Flag. This track was released when I was 14, or 17, or something! My brother was older than me by two years and he showed it to me; I remember it was the first kind of music I’d heard like that. It was my first underground track.

What is your favourite word?
Diu. Is that allowed?

Yeah, sure. So onto clubbing. Why do you go? What makes a good atmosphere?
Well obviously the music, yeah? Surely that is the best thing about it? Although, if you want a more interesting answer I would say the girls are the best thing. Everyone knows that is why guys go clubbing anyway.

If music was food, what would be your tastes?
Fusion. You know, when you go to those restaurants where you can get, like, sushi with pizza; some of my DJ friends play the same kind of music, like, forever. I don’t know why my music just changes all the time – I’m always moving forward. I don’t change exactly because I want to do something new; it’s just my feelings inside.

What makes you angry?
I hate it when people go over to Japanese restaurants and order Chinese food.

Fair enough. What do you loathe about Hong Kong?
Taxi drivers! They’re impolite. I’m scared to get in a taxi with a driver and ask him to go a long distance. He will be so rude to me, in front of whoever I’m with, or just refuse. And they argue with each other. It’s disgusting.

What’s on your iPod?
I’m listening to a lot of Chinese Man right now, and Martina Topley, and even Glen Hansard – he did the soundtrack to Once. The people I really look up to though are The Chemical Brothers. I saw them at Fuji a few years ago, they were amazing. And then I played with them in Hong Kong!

What makes you happy?
That’s very difficult, because I’m usually not happy. I would say my son or my daughter, but I don’t have either. I don’t know… Actually, brushing my teeth! I love that feeling. Even just rinsing my mouth out feels good. I think it’s something to do with my taste buds, but the water in Hong Kong tastes like coconut to me. You should try it. I’m looking for someone who gets that same feeling as me.

Hannah Slapper

TOHK 76 by TOHK-6

Marco Carola - Play it Loud
Maetrik - Socom
Yosh, Kill yr TV - Preliminares (VogueDetlef_Hold On)
Ekkohaus - Dance in the Streets
Vogue, Stein - Here to Move
Sabb - Percomaniac
Queen Atom - Do Ur Math
Franck Valat - HURTS
Reshuffle - The Upper Shelf
Tim Deluxe - Sawubona