Dean Chew

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 Masalo, 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 leftfield 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 traverse 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. Most recently, Dean has debuted at Gilles Peterson’s We Out Here festival and was also the 1st Singaporean selector to have played a set on the cult HÖR radio platform. Most recently, he has played in Singapore’s first-ever Boiler Room, and completed another successful EU tour, with slots at Rhythm Section’s Gala After party, Bar Charlie in Munich, Paloma, Hör radio in Berlin, and Turbina in Budapest. There’s always an element of surprise in his sets - just open them ears.