Meet the most-anticipated DJ in J-Town, Merdi . Well-known for his collective, Diskoria, Merdi is a music enthusiast and vinyl collector you need to know. In the Clash Talks, Reegi and Merdi will be having a chit-chat about the differentiation nuances of the "past" and "today" nightlife culture including the DJs, policies, places, and what music that established the character of Merdi. And here's the recap:
"Just keep it simple and easy. Don’t mind it too hard, let’s get some fun for music!" - Merdi.
Reegi (R)
Merdi (M)
R: Tell me the first moment when you know you love the music!
M: When I was a child, I bought a cassette with a great design. Someday, I got Europe and Girl From Lebanon, and from time to time I got Boyz 2 Men. I used to play in a band and cover some energetic songs from Green Day, Pure Saturday, and more.
R: With your current professional job as a professional DJ, Producer, and Music Director, How can you build this dream job?
M: First time I paid was when I was invited to play in a band. In 2012, it was the first time I paid when I’m DJ-ing. I used to be an office person, used to be a banker, work in a retail, and more.
R: In your opinion, as an experienced party person, did you have any perspectives on Indonesian past-party and present-party - including the people, policies, gigs, and atmosphere?
M: It was really different. Initially, mostly bar in Jakarta has the rules that the DJ won't be allowed to play Indonesian songs. But, as time flies by, some Indonesian songs can be appreciated by the audiences, and everybody plays it.
R: Shout out to Ones of Casual Dance (Yogyakarta-based DJ collective), What’s on your mind when you hear “music is not competition”? Let us know your perspective.
M: Everyone has the competitive soul and ego. In my opinion, music is not and can not compete because of every person/group has a different market. For example, I played with Diskoria in Bandung and played for the last session, and we have no crowd there because the peak crowd was at the moment for the band before us. Just keep it simple and easy. Don’t mind it too hard, let’s get some fun for music!
R: What do you think of Good Music?
M: Good Music arrives from the creator who knows what medium he wants to use, knows how to deliver, and has the soul in it. That’s good music.
R: How can you find and curate the music?
M: I divide it by the folder like "filler", "banger", "warm-up", "slow dance" and many more.
“Everyone listen to everything, just dig it everywhere” - Merdi
R: Mention 3 your favorite live set!
M: First is Prins Thomas at BlowFish (2011), and then, there is Foo FIghters and Beastie Boys at Jakarta Pop-Alternative Festival (1995), third is LCD Soundsystem at Coachella (2016)
R: Any advice to the audience out there for the platform to dig the music?
M: Regularly, I loved Testpressing.org (it has good contents and knowledge of music).
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