Yen and Zhang: It All Began With Teresa Teng

For anyone who’s been around Beijing for any length of time, Mickey Zhang is probably one of the first names you’ll associate with clubbing in the capital. His name is also virtually synonymous with the now-legendary Yen parties, which celebrate seven years of all-night electronica this month. We asked Mickey about his early musical memories, Yen’s origins and where things go from here.

What’s the first song you remember hearing?
“Story of A Small Town” (小城故事) by Deng Lijun (Teresa Teng).

What was your favorite music as a child?
I liked Richard Clayderman’s piano music a lot.

So how did you get into electronic music?
Fourteen years ago, a friend gave me a techno CD. I was working in a dance club in Guangzhou; we used to play commercial pop music every day. After I listened to my friend’s album, I found this kind of music was more imaginative, more varied and powerful – I became obsessed.

When we ask DJs and promoters who the best DJ in Beijing is, they often say “Mickey Zhang.” How do you feel about that?
Everybody has a different concept of “good” – I’m just doing what I’m supposed to do.

How did Yen get started?
The first Yen party was in late May 2004. Many clubs liked to invite international DJs back then, but a few of us thought there were really good DJs in China as well, so we tried to start an event that would present good Chinese DJs.

Did you think you’d still be doing it seven years later?
Yes. I’d thought even longer – ten years, 20 years …

It seems that the Yen/o2culture team has never bothered with opening its own venue. Why?
For now my job is being a DJ and promoter, but not a club owner. It’s a different type of job; maybe I’ll try it one day.

Does doing Yen ever start to feel like a routine? How do you keep it interesting?
I had that feeling, but it passed quickly. Because Yen is like my kid, there’s no need to “stay interested,” – organizing the event is our interest, responsibility and obligation.

Do you ever wish you’d done something else instead of being a DJ and promoter?
No. Nothing can replace these things.

Imagine Yen as a 7-year-old child. What would his/her school report card say?
It would say: “He’s a moral, intellectual, sporty, aesthetic, laborious all-round kid who can score at least 95 points,” haha!

Mickey Zhang plays Yen’s 7th Anniversary Party at 798 Art District on Jul 23.

Mickey's Summer Playlist

“Not Yet” by Dosem

“Floating Clouds” by Mickey Zhang

“Random Pleasure” by David Durango (Alexander Kowalski Remix)

“Neim” by Edu Imbernon & Triumph

“She Is Music” by Psycatron feat. Blake Baxter

Photo: Judy Zhou