Move over Nakadia, Thailand has a new larger than life darling who also didn’t make this year’s DJ Mag 250: it’s the one and only DJ Slacken.

This part Thai, part Malaysian, part Indian Bangkok based man has been creating something of a stir on the internet over the past few months. We shouldn’t go overboard actually; he’s been creating a stir on the Bangkok Recorder forums. For months now he’s amazed people with his one-man campaign to promote himself as Thailand’s premier DJ superstar.

The problems with Slacken have largely been brought on by his own lack of common sense and his slightly bewildering points of view. He has put himself forward as something of a legend in the Thai club scene, although a lot of people haven’t heard of him.

He’s a modest man too. From his own DJ biography:

“DJ Slacken is a Bangkok (Thailand) based Trance, Techno and Progressive House club DJ. He started DJing in the year 1989 and now eventually he is one of the most outstanding icon of the Trance & Techno music scene in Bangkok (Thailand). Through the years, that simple individuality in musical taste and presentation made him standout from the rest of other local DJs in Thailand.”

The most bewildering thing about his “success” is that he never plays any gigs. Ever. His work remains a mystery. His one annual gig (supposedly) was at Jazzit last night. It came in the form of ‘Wake Up 2006’. To the best of my understanding, Wake Up, in previous years, has been a techno festival. This was less of a festival and more of a one-man-band playing to the pigeons. It was promoted with one of the most bizarre concepts ever to grace Bangkok.

In his own words:

“The set will be divided into four chapters:
I The Tranquility Stratosphere.
II The Trance Parthenogenesis.
III The Techno Holocaust.
IIII The Final Omega.
WELCOME TO WAKE UP 2006."

The only people expected at this party were BKR regulars. The club was not excessively busy, but Slacken was one of the most excitable, offbeat people I think I have ever seen. He was truly in his own world. To be fair, his mixing was not awful, bar a few madcap moments. I have heard far worse tune selections, although the “Trance Parthenogenesis” wasn’t all it was cracked up to be.

Slacken came down to greet us all and had a chat with everyone. He is booked to play in Malaysia for New Year’s Eve. For this gig he is leaving next week (mid-November). He certainly has vision.

He ended the four hour marathon by walking around the stage as if he were the Thai/Malaysian/Indian Jesus. It was unique, I’ll give him that much. He’s really just a big kid and I quite liked him. He’s a bit off the rails though, but at least he’s honest in his fantasy.