Johor-born DJ Leey Houdini may be new in the electronic dance music scene, but he’s already spinning up a storm, writes Hizreen Kamal
HE goes by the name of Leey Houdini, but he’s no escape artist. What he has in common with the great Houdini is that both are great entertainers.
Muhammad Radzley Gemari, or DJ Leey, weaves, mixes and spins music. Though fairly new in the electronic dance music scene, he has already played in clubs throughout the country.
The 25-year-old, though, is also a music producer, and got noticed when his original track, Raise Up, was released in January. Since then, he has produced several remixes for acts such as Alex M.O.R.P.H, Woody Van Eyden, Shogun and W&W.
Before making himself comfortable at the DJ console, the trained musician was the guitarist and bassist of the rock-metal band Ruptured Arteries, signed under Kebaboom Records.
“I loved playing in the band. I never then imagined deejaying would be my calling,” he says.
That idea came after attending Godskitchen in Sepang some years back. As the line-up of DJs continued to spin their music, Leey began to get hooked on trance. He started listening to more electronic dance music on YouTube and attending events featuring DJs from around the world.
HUMBLE BEGINNINGS
The Johor-born Leey has no formal training as a DJ. “I picked it up here and there, getting pointers from the deejays at the clubs,” he says.
He started making monthly podcasts and received positive feedback from listeners. His interest in producing electronic music heightened after hearing Dutch trance producer Ummet Ozcan.
“I’m enjoying myself as a DJ. I count my blessings for being where I am right now,” says Leey, who first learnt playing the guitar at 8 when his father gave it to him as a gift.
He has indeed come a long way. He has performed alongside artistes such as Torex, Musher, Rojak Bois, Chuckiess, Ayeev, DJ Eddy and JocoMellomania. His debut was in December last year at Exit Club in Kuala Lumpur, together with DJ Loco. He also performed at the New Year’s Eve Countdown 2012 and is currently performing once a month at the Bora-Bora Beach Party in Batu Ferringhi, Penang, alongside Syed Tboy and JocoMellomania.
MINI ALBUM
A graphic designer and photographer by day, Leey is working on four new songs. He plans to release an EP comprising seven original songs in August which will feature the vocal trance track Abstrak Hingga Ke Bulan.
He will also take part in The Gallery by Ministry of Sound (London) on May 19 at KL Live, which also plays host to the event. The Gallery is making its debut here as part of its world tour.
Leey is one of two local acts for the event (the other is Ramsey Westwood, recipient of the Astro Hitz Spinmaster title) which features the international acts Bobina from Russia (world No. 44 of the Top 100 DJs at DJ Mag), Daniel Kandi (Denmark) and Jwaydan (UK). He will perform three original numbers — Raise Up, Falling and Out Of Control — during the one-hour set.
“I hope this platform will give me more exposure here and abroad,” says Leey, who counts DJ Markus Schulz (Holland) as one of his idols.
He also aspires to build his own home studio. “I hope to play at more outdoor events and be invited to perform abroad.”
The Gallery by Ministry of Sound
Entry: 18 and above only
Tickets: RM81 (inclusive of one drink) for early birds, RM91 (inclusive of two drinks) for regular tickets, and RM101 (inclusive of two drinks) at the door.
Available at all Rock Corner and Victoria Music Centre outlets.
Online at Ticketpro (www.ticketpro.com.my) and Redtix (www.airasiaredtix.com).
For VIP ticket packages, call 03-7880 7999.
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