IN CONVERSATION WITH HARLEY CHAMANDY
Last year, Harley Chamandy received the coveted Werner Herzog Prize for his debut feature…
Interview by Carolin Desiree Becker
“I love digging through record stores. There’s an element of surprise and randomness that makes it special. It’s not just about playing music; it’s about experiencing the history of music.”
Korean born Berlin based DJ and producer Shubostar is a rising star in the electronic music scene. She combines her tech background in gaming with spirituality and interests in art, design, fashion and society in a broad sense. Shubostar celebrates her Korean heritage with the recently released track ‘Generation X’ that just came out on a newly formed Lisbon based record label – FOLDER, founded by Parallelle and Mahfoud.
I started producing music in high school, but it was more for computer games rather than electronic music. Later, I began playing music, and after a few years, I started producing electronic music. Back in high school, I wasn’t sure if I could make music. But since I didn’t enjoy programming, I experimented with MIDI music instead, as I was in a band and played several instruments. At the time, I was fascinated by the sound of 8-bit music, like chiptunes, which apparently influenced my melancholic, raw sound today. I used Cakewalk 4.0 back then, which had only a few basic sounds — one piano, one guitar, one drum kit. The simplicity of that limited work environment pushed me to be more creative, and that approach still influences me today.
‘Generation X’ marked the beginning of a new style for me, and I surprised myself when I finished it — it sounded more modern than my previous tracks. I had always been aware of the duo Parallelle, and finally, this collaboration opportunity came. When Parallelle asked me for some demos, I sent them a few, not expecting them to choose this one. I wasn’t 100% sure about the track at first, but after mastering it, I premiered it at EDC Mexico, and the response was impeccable. The more I played it, the more I connected with it and grew to love it.
I just got my first analogue synthesizer, the SH-101. Before that, I always used digital sounds because I was kind of a nomad – I never stayed in one place for long, so owning gear felt too luxurious. But now that I’ve settled in Berlin and finally have my own home, the first thing I wanted to do was build my own studio. So yes, I really appreciate analogue sound, but I also recognize that it comes with a price. You need a stable place, and it requires an investment. But once I experienced it, I saw the beauty in it. I love the warmth and character of analogue sound — it feels alive! When it comes to vinyl, I love digging through record stores. It’s a completely different experience from searching for music online. There’s an element of surprise and randomness that makes it special. It’s not just about playing music; it’s about experiencing the history of music.
The voices you hear in the track come from an old Korean news interview about Generation X fashion. It went viral because of the sentence at the end of the breakdown: ‘이렇게 입으면 기분이 좋거든요’ — which means, ‘I feel good if I wear like this.’ Generation X was an important concept for us — it marked a break from traditional gendered clothing and was all about the freedom to express yourself through fashion. But in the end, it wasn’t just about clothing; it was a cultural shift. As I discovered my new style, I realized ‘Generation X’ was the perfect title & concept for it.
Venice is beyond the next level of beauty — extremely gorgeous, or maybe it’s just the essence of beauty itself! I visited 10 years ago, and after the pandemic, the color of the water has changed, making it even more stunning. Arriving at the venue and hotel by water taxi — how romantic is that? Playing for Perplex in a historical building like Arsenale with the crowd dressed in classic costumes and wearing original Venetian masks was an outstanding experience. It felt like stepping into another world where history and art collided. This wasn’t my first time working with Perplex: they also brought me to perform in an old church in London, which was equally captivating. The fusion of different industries — music, art, fashion, architecture, and history — creates a unique environment that transcends the typical club setting. I believe this kind of blending is powerful. Whether it’s the costumes, the venue, or the art direction, these elements elevate the experience and show how club culture can extend beyond the music to influence other industries and create something much more immersive. In a way, it is an inevitable future. You can watch this development nearly everywhere…
In fact, I will be hosting my first own “Klubnacht” at the Panorama Bar in Berghain on April 13. Come and join the cosmic journey!
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