The Funky Beats DJ collective has taken off around the hotspots of Bali in the recent years. The Beat spoke to mainstay DJ of the collective, DJ Fede Soulfunk about the group, where they are from and where they’re going.
Let’s talk about you, what’s your involvement in Funky Beats?
My name is Fede and I am the founder and main resident DJ of Funky Beats. I am also in charge of some other tasks like decoration direction, bookings and marketing. Since it started I have also learnt about many other topics like ad campaigns, graphic design, video editing, etc.
How long have you been in Bali? And how did you come to be here?
I arrived to Bali in October 2022 and a bit unusual for this destination, love brought me here. My girl was already settled here when we met so I decided to come with her for a couple months and see what was all about. At the end I never left and here I am for two years already, doing what I promised myself that I would do, Dj and music production.
Were you born in Berlin or from somewhere else?
I was born in west Germany and grew up in Spain. In 2015 moved to Berlin and didn’t leave the city for 7 years, until I came to Bali. Nowadays I like to spend Winter season in Bali, and Spring and Summer in Berlin and Spain. I can combine this with the Funky Beats events, happening in Bali during all year, and in Berlin only in the summer.
So, tell me about Funky Beats.
Funky Beats was founded on passion, creativity, and love for house and funky music, it all started as a small project by Dj Soulfunk and it quickly became a Berlin nightlife sensation, celebrating with likeminded people in beautiful venues, lakes, and festivals. We’ve expanded to Bali, where we aim to blend Berlin’s wild spirit with Bali’s tropical beauty for a unique global experience.
We started with our first event in Bali at Caravan in Berawa Beach, tried out some other venues around Canggu and mostly in Uluwatu, where we finally found our favourite venue right above the ocean, at the iconic Ocean Deck from Ulu Cliffhouse. We have been there now around two years hosting our monthly event, each of them getting better and better.
Our music is our heartbeat. We carefully curate our lineups as the music is the core of our events, so it’s crucial that it will always be on point. We mainly focus on house and disco music that has lot of groovy and punchy baselines where there is no other option than to dance.
Currently we have three resident Djs , our new Lila Groove, also Billy Cosmic that has been with us since the beginning in Bali, and me (Soulfunk).
And you also have guest DJs at your events right?
Yes, we are always booking new DJs at Funky Beats, most of them come by recommendation from other Djs that already played in our events, and others contact us directly asking for gigs while they are visiting Bali. Of course, we bring back DJs that we liked in past Funky Beats editions.
Is Billy Cosmic German too? Where did you meet?
I met my friend Billy Cosmic in a birthday villa party in Uluwatu. He is originally from South Africa but has been traveling the world and djing around since a long time.
How long have you been spinning tunes?
9 years now, since I arrived in Berlin. It started as a hobby playing at house parties, then clubs, then festivals and nowadays also in my own events.
Was there a musical background?
My parents are both musicians, music teachers, so music has always been around me. I used to play different instruments when I was young and now I’m focusing in music production since more than two years.
So you really are Mr Funky Beats!
Hahha I guess so. I really love the funky house and disco sounds, even though I also love to play different style of music going from more deep minimal to darker underground tech house if it aligns to the occasion.
I saw funky Beats was recently back playing a show in Berlin. How did that go?
We threw an event there at the end of July next to a lake with a sand beach bar. Many DJs from other popular underground collectives in Berlin played and danced with us. It felt like a festival surrounded by forest and water.
Maybe you could tell us about what has been happening with Funky Beats lately
We have recently just been focused in improving our monthly event at Ulu Cliffhouse Ocean Deck, and also did a new after hours edition at Tabu.
Have you always been into funk music?
It is not funk music, actually. Funky and groovy house, yes. I discovered this style in one of my favourite clubs in Berlin.
You said you were now producing music, what genre of music is that? And has that added another dimension to your existence?
I am still experimenting and finding a specific sound that I like. For now I think my main focus will be music on the same direction of what I usually play, groovy house with bouncy and powerful sexy bass, but I also want to start doing more ambient and chill lounge music production. When I am producing this is my safe space where I can enjoy being by myself without being interrupted and totally focused, so yes this is another dimension to explore.
What do you think, is it better to go solo or be in a collective for a young DJ?
I think both sides have their pros and cons. At the moment I am playing a lot of b2b with my partner Lila Groove and this is bringing a lot of fun and excitement to our lives. But I still like to play alone sometimes too and really go with the flow of the ambient.
What’s coming up in the near future from Funky Beats?
There are some new venues opening close to our area where we may start doing new events. Also we are exploring the opportunity of making collaborations events with friends with collectives in Australia. Definitely exciting times are coming.
