DJ Andrew T (AOS), DJ Stanley (AOS), DJ Dave Does (AOS)
The Butter Factory has recently launched it’s DJ Crew – AOS, consisting 3 of their finest resident DJs – Andrew T, Dave Does & Stanley.
“The plan for AOS is to groom a crew of DJs that not only have skills but possess that charismatic personality and star quality. In the near future, we hope to be able to include other entertainers like emcees and dancers to this crew too. But for now the focus is on the DJs and we are on the lookout for new talented DJs to add to the AOS DJ crew,” says Celeste Chong, Marketing Director of The Butter Factory.
The word ‘new’ shouldn’t exactly be the best to describe the AOS DJ Crew. Individually, having a fair amount of years being heavily involved in the music scene, it has been a long run for these guys right here. What started as an interest in their early age has led them in doing what they love best as a career. We had a chance to grab some time off from their busy schedule and asked a couple of questions as they discuss more about how it all first started.
DJ’s Profile:
DJ Andrew T started DJing back in the year 2003, playing ‘Hiphop/R&B’ as his main forte, his past residences in Singapore include Boom Boom Room, Gotham Penthouse, Phunk Bar and Q Bar. Currently, Resident DJ at The Butter Factory, with his own signature nights “Butter Cookies”, “Booty Call” and “The DarKnight”. He has shared the same stage at Avalon at Large with Flo Rida, Major Lazer, Steve Aoki, Above & Beyond, Ludacris, Benny Bennasi and more.
DJ Dave Does started DJing back in 1998, playing ‘Cutting Edge Electronic music/Multi Genre mash up’ as his main forte, his past residencies are in Australia include Club Sublime, Plastic, Rave Utopia, Transmission, Ecky Thump, Fantazia and Hyper Speed. Currently, Main Resident DJ at The Butter Factory (Fash room), with his own signature nights “Space Rave”, “Detention” and “Fash Mob”. Apart from deejaying, he’s also a photographer.
DJ Stanley started DJing back in 1996, playing ‘Hip-Hop/R&B/House’ as his main forte. He is crowned as 4 x DMC and I.T.F State Champion in Australia. Did the opening for international hiphop artist such as 50 Cent, G-unit & Lil John Concert in Australia, also deejayed alongside the late Jam Master Jay from RUN DMC in Australia. His past residencies include Fox Studios (Sydney), Establishment (Sydney), Bamboo (Sydney), Perfect (Sydney), Bounce (HCMC), Muse (Shanghai), VOlar (Shanghai), GPlus (Shanghai & Hangzhou), Sin (Shanghai), Prive (Shanghai) Currently, Main Resident DJ at The Butter Factory (Bump room), with his own signature nights “butterFLY”, “The Bizz Nizz” and “Butter Cookies”.
What was the first moment that leads you into the art of DJ’ing?
A: I learnt to DJ from a friend of mine, cause I was always curious how it all worked.
D: I first started messing around on the decks when I was 14 at a mates place. His older brother was in the rave scene and used to put on parties. He owned a set of decks and had a mean gabber collection so we used make these really shitty mixtapes. Had no idea about djing at that point! It wasn’t until 3 years later when I saved up and bought my own pair of turntables.
S: I was around 14, my older brother had a friend that was spinning out in the clubs. We went over to his pad often and the first time laid eyes on all his records and decks, I just had to jump on and have a try. That pretty much was the moment I never looked back.
Knowing that you’ve the set of skill, what gave you the initial push?
A: One day, a club manager friend of mine ask me to give it a shot, went up there, did a set, and had so much fun. And I felt this is it for me. To be able to share my music and party with the crowd, great experience.
D: I started learning how to mix with 2 of my good buddies in Sydney. We used to push each other to make that perfect mixtapes. Was a lot of fun back in the day collection vinyl, it was our mission to own all of the classics and find new and exciting music.
S: Take away the career side, Djing is still a hobby for me. So the pure enjoyment of spinning, cutting up, sorting for tunes is all the fuel I need.
DJ Dave Does on the deck at AOS Launch Party
Can you brief us through your creativity process?
A: I’ll listen to whats new and hot, on the charts, or radio, or thru artistes sending me new tracks. From there I’ll try to weave in some of the new stuff into my set. I don’t usually plan a set, I’ll play according to the crowd every night.
D: I tend to look for new and exciting music. I never restrict myself to a specific genre which opens the doors to a diverse set in the club.
S: When playing out at an event or a resident club night there’s two main aims.
1) Always try to break some new songs, as a DJ I feel its up to us to push new sounds and artists.
2) Add my personal touch to Djing, I enjoy the technical side of DJing, scratching, juggling and manipulating a track rather than just mixing one song after another. Do that plus keep the dance floor rocking. That takes some time to learn and practice.
Inspiration and fuel to stay on top of the game?
A: MUSIC and to keep my signature nights the best parties in Singapore!
D: Makes me happy when you can move a crowd, especially when you play something different and exciting.
S: I don’t think I’ve ever aspired to “be on top of the game” but I definitely try to stay sharp and “be on top of my own game”.
DJ Andrew T at AOS Launch Party
Moments where you felt like giving up (in your career) and advice to give that would be an inspiration to some?
A: Few years back, I felt like it was really tough getting full-time DJ work in Singapore, so I had half a mind to give it up. But I thought maybe I just need a different experience, so I packed my bags, and started travelling the world doing gigs and residencies. It really gave me the spark to get this career back on track. End of the day, i joined The Butter Factory, and here i am now… Never give up just cos times are tough!
D: My sleeping pattern is pretty messed up. It’s hard to function normally though the week when you are going to bed at 6am 3 nights a week. Exercise and a healthy diet definitely improves my sense of wellbeing.
S: Hasn’t happened, but I do know, if ever the minute I stop loving this art form will likely be the day I give it up.
Being who you’re right now, what would be an alternative if you weren’t a DJ?
A: Judging by my handwriting, a doctor.
D: I’m also a photographer through the day. It’s a good balance and extremely fulfilling.
S: Probably something else in the music and creative field.
Another DJ you admire that’s not in the same scene and different genre?
A: Laidback Luke.
D: I admire any DJ that can stick to their own style with 100% passion.
S: An amazing all round DJ I admire use to be in the Hip Hop scene but now not so much is A-trak. This guy works hard!
AOS DJ Crew is made out of 3 different DJ, name one key element that would describe to be best between the three of you?
A: Dave is adventurous. You wanna catch the sickest underground tracks, and listen to genres like breaks, dubstep, moombahton all weaved into a crazy electronic set, here’s your guy.
D: Stanley is a technical wizard, having won a bunch of turntablist awards he’s got the trophies to prove it!
S: Each of us have our own style on the decks. Dave has well thought out mixes that spark up the crowd while Andrew brings an energetic feel to his set which never fails to win over the mass.
DJ Stanley at AOS Launch Party
What’s one of the funniest thing you guys have seen happen in a club?
A: Every club has this one person, who comes alone, and dances by themself all night, religiously, every week. We have this one person, and its funny how now and then people go up and try to ‘battle’ him.
D: Gurners are always a hoot.
S: Well I see this often, shufflin’ I know it started from Australia which is my home but damn it’s one funny dance move.
In prior to the launch of AOS DJ Crew, what are the hopes & expectation can we foresee in this coming year from you and the crew?
A: Recruit more members, the best DJs, Dancers, MCs, locally and worldwide.
D: Will be nice to play out at different locations. Apart from the AOS launch I’ve only played at Butter Factory over the last 5 years.
S: I’ve been really focussing on production this year, whether I’ll be comfortable to release anything will be another question. We’ll see.
Thanks for your time! DJ Andrew T (AOS), DJ Dave Does (AOS) & DJ Stanley (AOS). We wish it would be a great year ahead for the AOS DJ Crew!
Signature Night for the DJ’s @ The Butter Factory:
DJ Stanley (AOS) [Main resident DJ in Bump] butterFLY (Every Friday) BUTTER COOKIES (Every Wednesday) The Bizz Nizz - 23rd March The Show - 30th March
DJ Andrew T (AOS) [Resident DJ, spins at both Bump & Fash] BUTTER COOKIES (Every Wednesday) Bump THE DARKNIGHT - Every 3rd Saturday in Fash BOOTY CALL - 1st Saturday of each month in Bump
DJ Dave Does (AOS) [Main Resident DJ at Fash] FASH FRIDAY (Every Friday) DETENTION (Every Wednesday) FASH MOB /MISMATCH - 1st Saturday of each month
Photos: The Butter Factory
