Singapore-born, London-based SKETCH explores her darker side with an hour of peak-time heavy leaning techno.
Image Credits: Immy May
If you keep your ear to London’s vibrant queer scene, SKETCH’s name should have caught your eye. A resident of East London queer collective FamFem, she has played gigs around the city including Origins, and Risen Festival to name a few.
SKETCH’s story is one of searching. Her roots lie in her home country of Singapore where she began to explore her musical palette. However, after testing her wings as an artist in Singapore’s creative circuit, racial and sexuality-based barriers held her back. Although currently settled on the other side of the world, her Malay roots are something she still holds dear. Earlier this year she released her debut single Khayal.
Inspired by the hypnotic effect of traditional Javanese dance, Khayal takes gamelan instrumentation and contextualises it for the ritual of the Western dancefloor.
In a similar fashion to what you would find in an episode of Blues Clues, SKETCH’s music has revealed the path she needed to travel. To a place where both her and her sound would fit best. Now settled in London and finally around her tribe, those same sonic sketches have allowed festivals, media outlets, and clubs from the UK and beyond to find her.
We spoke to the rising underground artist about her move from Singapore, her love for London’s queer community and more.
How were things for you growing up in Singapore?
Growing up in Singapore mostly involved saving my weekly allowance and going to gigs every weekend. I would hang out with my punk, metal, and indie buddies at gigs, exchanging music and spending hours at HMV trying to decide which CDs to obsess over that month.
It was a relatively small scene. Everyone knew everyone, and even if there was a new venue or show, it would always be the same homies there. I was always with friends, so much so that my favourite local band asked me to be their vocalist. We almost went on a small tour, but I had to relocate to the UK.
When did you decide to get into music? What were some of your early inspirations?
I decided to get into music at quite an early age but only got around to it in my late 20s. I remember asking my mum for a turntable set at 12 years old because I was into hip-hop and wanted to try scratching, but she thought I had asked for a times table set, haha. Of course, I knew she was joking and wouldn’t get it because it was too expensive. I was finally able to teach myself how to use the controller and CDJs when Pirate Studios came to Brighton.
Before that, I was in metal/punk bands. I did a bit of drumming and screaming. Early inspirations included Karen O from Yeah Yeah Yeahs. Seeing how she is such a lovely person off stage but a firecracker on stage was a huge inspiration! It is really amazing to see badass babes like that, and I wanted to be like them.
When and why did you decide to move to London?
I moved to London in 2020 after being in Brighton for five years due to work relocation. However, I moved to Brighton in 2017 because I felt like I wasn’t able to pursue my creativity as a queer Malay woman. There was always some sort of glass ceiling whenever I did something, so I knew I needed to change my environment, and I am so happy I did.
How was it when you moved? Did you find it a bit of a culture shock?
I think all the years of listening to British music, hearing artists sing about the streets of London and the UK weather, prepped me for living here. For example, Placebo’s “English Summer Rain,” haha.
Coming from one city to another felt a bit like home. Plus, I like being in London as it’s massively diverse. You can find your group of people here, or if you don’t, you can always carve out a space, and the type of people you need will come.
Coming from another country must have been difficult, especially in a place like London. How did you begin to assimilate yourself into the music scene here?
I think the most difficult thing was doing it alone. All my family is back home, and figuring things out on my own wasn’t easy, but I managed. I found ways into the music scene by looking for female-led collectives. Big up to thebeatriarchy—I had my first live set through their open decks. I made a lot of friends from there, and then things started to open up.
What are some things you love and hate about the music scene in London?
The things I love about the music scene in London are that it is so diverse; there is quite literally something for everyone. I also love how community-based the queer scene is. All the collectives are always so supportive of one another. People are always turning up and having a great time.
I think the thing I hate about it is not being able to be there for all your friends’ events! Sometimes you are away, or you need to rest or use as much free time for production.
Can you describe your DJ & Production style?
With my DJing, it depends on when I get booked. If I am doing openings, I like to open with some dub techno/IDM, but these days I lean more towards percussion-heavy sets. However, I am leaning more into acid techno. I got a chance to play that at a festival in Italy last year, and I have been riding that high since.
I think my productions are a mix—some for the dance floor, some to daydream on the bus to. I always start with percussion as I feel more comfortable with that, then add all the other bits later.
I think it is nice to have a balance of both heavy and light worlds. I was on the fence about my production as I always thought I needed to make tunes for the dance floor, but I am now in a space where I am just making what I love and what sounds right to me.
Tell us about your mix for //SNCMAG.
I have decided to go for a heavier blend this time. I have been having lots of fun playing heavier stuff, and I am leaning into it. It starts out slow to ease in before getting to all the heavier bits.
What’s next for SKETCH?
Finishing my EPs, finding labels, and hopefully more shows. I also want to try picking up the guitar again so I can infuse it into my productions.
Tracklist:
Transmutation – Djedjotronic, Rein
Universe – Aquarius Heaven
Snakes Surround Me – Jericho
Simulation Assimilation – Syrte
Subconscious – Kaiserdisco, The Southern
Seamonkey (Surgeon Remix) – Moderat
803 – Seeker (COL)
Form (Kangding Ray Remix)- Oscar Mulero
They Will Not Control Us – Goncalo M
Onryo – Introversion
Strange Feeling – Drunken Kong
Straight Up! – Bruce Zalcer
Nevermind – A.Paul, Dolby D
Anger – Uncertain
Switchblade (Descendant) – D.Dan
Blackbox – Phase Fatale
Do You Want Acid – Ganez The Terrible
Seat Belt – ROBPM
Dubjam – Blenk
Pull Me In – Diøn
Jam Master (T78 & ROBPM Remix) – The-Prophecy
Treibjagd (T78 Remix) – Kurt Leon