https://padlet.com/estenamalvy/99xvhfd2m7b7ybsi This series of photographs follow Awal Fahad Bin Anas, also known by his stage name Fazad or DJ Fazad. He is a 22-year-old up-and-coming DJ playing mainly in Hong Kong at the moment. In this photo story, we will follow Fazad as he hits the studio to rehearse prior to an upcoming show at Boomerang nightclub in Lan Kwai Fong, Hong Kong. Fahad was born in a conservative family where DJing was not considered a suitable career path. Until the summer of 2022, he had been studying Government and International Relations at HKBU. His father at first disapproved of his son’s passion for electronic music. However, after having seen and understood his son's commitment and work ethic, he has since changed his mind and is now open to his son’s endeavors. Fahad’s idol is the Dutch artist, Martin Garrix. In 2016 he snuck into Ultra; a music festival being held in Hong Kong. This is when Fahad’s love for the genre truly manifested itself. “That was like a god moment for me” -Fahad Awal It was seeing Garrix performing, having fun, and enthralling audiences with his music that made up his mind. He was going to become an artist. At the moment, Fahad’s music style is very commercial. Mixing already existing songs with new and remastered sounds is more popular amongst crowds in Hong Kong. This makes it easier to perform in clubs all over Hong Kong. Songs with 128 BPM are his bread and butter, these songs are more “jumpy” and crowd-friendly. However, Fahad is slowly evolving to more aggressive sounds and has already released music of his own. He has five songs out right now, his most memorable one is his song Lucky, which currently has 2,648 hits on Spotify. Fazad has presently over 20 unreleased songs. en-us 2022-12-23 16:45:29 UTC 2022-12-23 17:30:18 UTC hello@padlet.com estenamalvy https://padlet.com/estenamalvy/99xvhfd2m7b7ybsi/wish/2428071328 “In 10 years, I’ll either be dead or doing something business related within the music industry. Hopefully, I can have my own label” -Fahad Awal. Photo by: Amalvy, E. E. (2022)]]> 2022-12-23 16:56:25 UTC https://padlet.com/estenamalvy/99xvhfd2m7b7ybsi/wish/2428071328 estenamalvy https://padlet.com/estenamalvy/99xvhfd2m7b7ybsi/wish/2428071955 After his set is finished Fahad takes a back seat but sticks around to help friend and fellow up and coming DJ Sunny Ching as he takes the stage. Fahad Awal (foreground), and Sunny Ching (background). Photo by: Amalvy, E. E. (2022)]]> 2022-12-23 16:59:02 UTC https://padlet.com/estenamalvy/99xvhfd2m7b7ybsi/wish/2428071955 estenamalvy https://padlet.com/estenamalvy/99xvhfd2m7b7ybsi/wish/2428072321 “Put your fucking hands up in the sky one last time” -DJ Fazad, as he wraps up his set after one hour on stage. Hansel Chang (left), DJ Fazad (right). Photo by: Amalvy, E. E. (2022)]]> 2022-12-23 17:00:12 UTC https://padlet.com/estenamalvy/99xvhfd2m7b7ybsi/wish/2428072321 estenamalvy https://padlet.com/estenamalvy/99xvhfd2m7b7ybsi/wish/2428072722 “When the beat drops, I want them all jumping up in the air, like flying” -DJ Fazad. Fazad (left), Hansel Chang (right). Photo by: Amalvy, E. E. (2022)]]> 2022-12-23 17:01:23 UTC https://padlet.com/estenamalvy/99xvhfd2m7b7ybsi/wish/2428072722 estenamalvy https://padlet.com/estenamalvy/99xvhfd2m7b7ybsi/wish/2428073040 Focus.]]> 2022-12-23 17:02:34 UTC https://padlet.com/estenamalvy/99xvhfd2m7b7ybsi/wish/2428073040 estenamalvy https://padlet.com/estenamalvy/99xvhfd2m7b7ybsi/wish/2428073280 “When the crowd is with you, there is no better feeling” -DJ Fazad.]]> 2022-12-23 17:03:33 UTC https://padlet.com/estenamalvy/99xvhfd2m7b7ybsi/wish/2428073280 estenamalvy https://padlet.com/estenamalvy/99xvhfd2m7b7ybsi/wish/2428073670 Performance in full swing, the crowd is lively and along for the ride. DJ Fahd (left). Hansel Shang (right). ]]> 2022-12-23 17:05:04 UTC https://padlet.com/estenamalvy/99xvhfd2m7b7ybsi/wish/2428073670 estenamalvy https://padlet.com/estenamalvy/99xvhfd2m7b7ybsi/wish/2428073995 “My goal when I play is to move you in some way” -DJ Fazad. ]]> 2022-12-23 17:06:24 UTC https://padlet.com/estenamalvy/99xvhfd2m7b7ybsi/wish/2428073995 estenamalvy https://padlet.com/estenamalvy/99xvhfd2m7b7ybsi/wish/2428074196 As DJ Fazad is playing (right), Hansel Chang (left) stays to assist and to enjoy the show.]]> 2022-12-23 17:07:15 UTC https://padlet.com/estenamalvy/99xvhfd2m7b7ybsi/wish/2428074196 estenamalvy https://padlet.com/estenamalvy/99xvhfd2m7b7ybsi/wish/2428074388 The equipment is made ready. Each button has a different purpose but useless on their own, only the artist operating can extract the music. ]]> 2022-12-23 17:08:01 UTC https://padlet.com/estenamalvy/99xvhfd2m7b7ybsi/wish/2428074388 estenamalvy https://padlet.com/estenamalvy/99xvhfd2m7b7ybsi/wish/2428075153 The stage is set, DJ Fazad is up next. ]]> 2022-12-23 17:09:25 UTC https://padlet.com/estenamalvy/99xvhfd2m7b7ybsi/wish/2428075153 estenamalvy https://padlet.com/estenamalvy/99xvhfd2m7b7ybsi/wish/2428075797 In the final minutes before his set, DJ Fazad joins friend and fellow DJ Hansel Chang (left) as he wraps up his own set. Boomerang lighting coordinator Michael (right) is also making sure lighting is functioning. ]]> 2022-12-23 17:12:02 UTC https://padlet.com/estenamalvy/99xvhfd2m7b7ybsi/wish/2428075797 estenamalvy https://padlet.com/estenamalvy/99xvhfd2m7b7ybsi/wish/2428076059 Once inside, everyone backstage must wait their turn. DJ Fazad is polishing some posters on his computer for upcoming show, productivity is key. Bella (left), DJ Fazad (center left), Sunny Ching (center right), Michael (right). ]]> 2022-12-23 17:12:58 UTC https://padlet.com/estenamalvy/99xvhfd2m7b7ybsi/wish/2428076059 estenamalvy https://padlet.com/estenamalvy/99xvhfd2m7b7ybsi/wish/2428076314 Tonight’s performance is at Boomerang nightclub in Lan Kwai Fong, Hong Kong. John (left), and Fahad (right), are waiting for a private event to end to enter and prep.]]> 2022-12-23 17:13:54 UTC https://padlet.com/estenamalvy/99xvhfd2m7b7ybsi/wish/2428076314 estenamalvy https://padlet.com/estenamalvy/99xvhfd2m7b7ybsi/wish/2428076753 “When I DJ, I merge with the music and disappear” -DJ Fazad. ]]> 2022-12-23 17:15:34 UTC https://padlet.com/estenamalvy/99xvhfd2m7b7ybsi/wish/2428076753 estenamalvy https://padlet.com/estenamalvy/99xvhfd2m7b7ybsi/wish/2428077275 Rehearsal starts! Final checks for sound, flow, and song choices are sorted. Sunny Ching (left) is present for quality control. ]]> 2022-12-23 17:17:53 UTC https://padlet.com/estenamalvy/99xvhfd2m7b7ybsi/wish/2428077275 estenamalvy https://padlet.com/estenamalvy/99xvhfd2m7b7ybsi/wish/2428077629 Hashing out final details with the promotor before the performance tonight. ]]> 2022-12-23 17:19:22 UTC https://padlet.com/estenamalvy/99xvhfd2m7b7ybsi/wish/2428077629 estenamalvy https://padlet.com/estenamalvy/99xvhfd2m7b7ybsi/wish/2428078081 Sunny Ching (left), Adinul Ameen (center), and DJ Fahad (right). All three DJs meet up in the studio to practice sets prior to the show that night. ]]> 2022-12-23 17:20:44 UTC https://padlet.com/estenamalvy/99xvhfd2m7b7ybsi/wish/2428078081 estenamalvy https://padlet.com/estenamalvy/99xvhfd2m7b7ybsi/wish/2428078633 Awal Fahad Bin Anas aka DJ Fazad takes the metro on his way to the studio for a quick practice before a show. Away from the lights and loud music, this is what most days look like.]]> 2022-12-23 17:22:47 UTC https://padlet.com/estenamalvy/99xvhfd2m7b7ybsi/wish/2428078633