In Tune with Mengzy, Genre Bending Artiste Pumping up the Bass
In the daytime, Asia embraces a true hustle culture; by night, we let our hair down and erupt in a magnificent energy to good crowds and good music. In Tune With meets the electric DJs and music makers of Hong Kong and Asia to feel their pulse and uncover why they entered the frenetic nightlife industry.
Meet Hong Kong based DJ and Producer Mengzy, one of the city's most exciting DJs in the underground music scene.
Mengzy, whose real name is Li Meng De Bakker, is gaining international and Asia-wide recognition as she pushes the boundaries of underground music. She is the Co-founder of Feed the Dragon, a collective dedicated to promoting UK bass music and culture in the region. In 2022, she was featured on Prestige’s 40 Under 40 list.
By day, Mengzy is a discerning music culture columnist for Mixmag Asia. By night, she transforms into a DJ, infusing her genre-bending sounds into high energy mixes that pulse at 130 to 140 beats per minute (BPM).
Known for her dynamic blend of bass-heavy UK genres such as breakbeat, UK garage, and grime, alongside other genres like techno and electro, Mengzy is a force to be reckoned with.
In addition to being an active participant in the dance music scene, Mengzy is a producer, writer, and former RTHK radio host with a PhD in Musicology. She is also the proud creator and host of ‘Mengzy Selects,’ a monthly video column for Mixmag Asia showcasing the freshest voices in electronic music from across the Asian diaspora.
We caught up with her ahead of this weekend’s Shi Fu Miz festival to discuss her rich tapestry of musical influences and unique experiences that shape her dynamic presence in the dance music scene.
How would you describe your sound?
My music style is influenced by UK based genres like garage, grime, and breaks, but I also work in other styles like house, techno, and electro.
Mood-wise, it can be quite dark at times, with high melodic moments. I like it when it’s intense for one section and the next section has a really lyrical melody or vocal part that lifts it and makes it more ethereal.
My style tends to shift back and forth. Sometimes I throw in something that's totally left field, like an old pop song or something really unexpected.
What inspired you to start making music and pursue it as a career?
I have to shout out a friend: James Acey – aka Yao, who was then working at XXX Gallery, which was an alternative underground space that has since closed. He invited me one day in 2017 for a jam sesh.
That was a pivotal moment for me, watching people produce and DJ on a random Monday at this space, and just hanging out with a couple of people – it was so mind blowing.
I was doing my Master's in Music at the time, and I wanted to get more into local music, so I gravitated towards XXX Gallery, it was really a light switch moment.
Can you tell us more about your creative process and how you curate your mixes?
As a DJ, the music collection process is never over. I’m always switched on and listening for new music. I could be in a cafe or a shop and hear something that sounds special, and I will Shazam it.
Then I also look at portals online like Bandcamp and Beatport, and the labels I follow. I get their newsletters and try to find out what their new releases are.
People will send me their music for consideration that they want reviewed or featured on Mengzy Selects, and I try my best to listen to everything, not only for my DJing side, but also for the Mixmag Asia side. The collection process is like 80% of DJing, and 20% performing.
As for the curation part, when I get booked for a set, I visualize the stage I’m on and think about what time I’m playing. These factors shape how I approach the set. Then I'll go through my whole library and try to find some newer tracks, as well as look through older ones. I’ll put together a mood board playlist of 100 songs or so, and slowly refine it down until I have what I want.
How did the idea for your video column Mengzy Selects begin?
I was writing for Mixmag Asia for a few years already, and previously had done radio with RTHK Radio 3, where you talk over the music and give your opinion. I wanted to do something like that, so I pitched it to the team at Mixmag Asia.
Mengzy Selects was originally a written column, but I thought it would be more powerful as a video format, so I started doing it as a reel, and now we publish the text on the website as well.
I really believe a reel is the best medium for it because you can experience the music, as you're listening to the information. It’s been fun to – in my own small way – make a platform for Asian artists and build a mental map of these musicians and labels, which I may not have done to this degree if I wasn't doing Mengzy Selects. Every time I do it, it reinforces how much talent there is out there.
Who are your biggest Hong Kong-based musical influences to date?
I want to shout out Subez Yeti because she booked me for my first show in Hong Kong and I'll always be grateful to her for that. She’s a really inspirational DJ who’s part of the Yeti Out crew.
Also, I really look up to Mr. Ho, in terms of production and DJing style. He runs a great label called Klasse Wrecks. He was just performing at Amsterdam Dance Event (ADE) as well. In my opinion, Mr. Ho is one of Hong Kong's, if not Hong Kong's best export.
What do you make of the dance music scene here in Hong Kong?
I think that the people involved in it, the creatives and the artists, are thriving. They're ambitious, and working very hard, myself included. There’s a lot of new talent that came up during COVID. So in some ways it’s thriving.
At the same time, we've seen a lot of people leaving or moving to other countries, and less tourists, which has a direct impact on nightlife. There are challenges in that sense when there are less audiences than before, but hopefully that will recover.
What are the challenges of being a DJ in Asia and what are the positive aspects?
It's not an easy path because the creative industry is shockingly unstable and it’s mostly a freelance existence, which is tough.
There is so much work behind the scenes that you don't see, and you have to be prepared to be your own producer, manager, accountant, and PR. But it’s incredibly rewarding and fulfilling. The community aspect is wonderful, I could go to any city in the world and find people who play 140 BPM, and we will have something in common. That kind of global dance community is a beautiful thing.
What can we expect from the upcoming seventh edition of Shi Fu Miz this year?
My set is a sunset thing, so I’ll try my best to guide everyone into a deeper and darker energy with some melodic, lyrical moments. Expect it to be breaks-heavy, with some UKG, electro, and a splash of grime, among other things!
What’s next for Mengzy?
I want to release some more original music. My crew Feed the Dragon are continuing to do events in Hong Kong and around Asia. We just did one in Hanoi, and we have a rooftop event next month in Hong Kong, on November 23rd. It’s free entry, but guest list only. You can go on our Instagram and find more information there.
I’m glad to be able to do what I love, all by small increments and hard work. Good things come to those who are consistent in this business. So yeah, I’m just going to keep doing what I’m doing.
You can keep up with Mengzy on her Instagram @djmengzy.
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