International Refugee Day - June 18

The plight of refugees is not something one thinks about on a daily basis, so it certainly seems appropriate to have a day dedicated to creating more awareness of this issue. If you've ever wished you could help but weren't sure how to, get on down to Yugong Yishan on June 18 for International Refugee Day. A percentage of the proceeds go to charity and there are set to be performance from Afrokoko Roots, Kite, Black Cat Bone, The Verse, as well as the Funk Fever DJs. See? No act of kindness goes unrewarded! We spoke to one of the organizers, Funk Fever's Jeff Hinson (aka DJ Bitesize Buddha), ahead of the event.

What's happening on June 18 for International Refugee Day?

The office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and Funk Fever will be putting on an event at Yugong Yishan, to raise awareness on Refugee issues, discover ways people can help out, as well as shine a light on superb Beijing-based bands and DJs. We're putting together a heavyweight line-up, with Afrokoko Roots, The Verse and Shanren already confirmed and more to come. Additionally, there will be an art exhibit on the second floor and a pre-event screening of the amazing documentary on 'Seirra Leone's Refugee All Stars'. For more info on the event and musicians involved please visit our website.

Who is Funk Fever?

Funk Fever is a DJ/Music collective dedicated to bringing Funk and Funk-related musical forms and expanding solid musical diversity in China. The three founding members are Roobin (Perman), Martin (Martin Star), and myself. Since then, percussionist Sam (Sammy Slazenger) and DJs Jon (Slide) and Suiki have completed the current incarnation.

Why are you getting behind this particular issue? It's not a particularly big issue for China, is it?

The possibility of physical displacement seems to be more and more of a reality for people around the world, whether it be from increasing natural disasters, political upheaval, intolerance or the potential effects of climate change, and an issue as large as this effects all of us.

What do you hope to achieve?

We're firm believers in partying and giving a funk about social issues simultaneously!

Where will any money raised go to? What projects will fund support?

This is primarily an event to raise awareness, so a small portion will be set aside for UNHCR programs and the rest will be split amongst the sizable number of performers (probably around 40 people).

What are the challenges of putting together an event like this? Are there any risks involved?

Convincing an eclectic group of musicians, artists, volunteers and other folks to join together under the umbrella of an issue that everyone might not feel strongly about, with the promise of meager monetary compensation is not easy unto itself. Coordinating them and making sure that everything runs smoothly during the night is another tough hurdle, not to mention getting people to actually come through…all together not an easy undertaking, with perils at every turn.

Can local promoters really make a difference?

Those of us who believe can try, there's many facets to actualizing change and many roles to play that share different meaning…there won't always be quantifiable results towards proving a point, but that won't stop us from trying our best.

What got you into DJing?

Primarily breakdancing, the sensation of giving one's entire being to music that it provides made me love and respect music even more, and sparked the desire to take part in its pervasion.

If you could ask any DJ, producer, or musician any question, who would it be, and what would you ask them?

Hmm, think I'd ask James Brown how he did it. The man had an incredible life, going from a split home and being raised in a brothel, to panhandling to survive and incarceration, onto being one of the most influential musicians ever - how's that for a life story?!

What five tunes would be on your funk playlist, and why?

Send Him Back by The Pointer Sisters - a great, danceable heartfelt track, could speak to the refugee experience of constant separation from loved ones, homelands as well as possesions.

Don't Stop Till You Get Enough by Ashaye - a great boogied up medley of MJ tunes

Che Che Cole Makossa by Antibalas - a great fusion of Afro-Latin flavor, a banging' tune

Different Strokes by Syl Johnson - a classic tune and a super funky and fun banger.

Give It Up, Turn Me Loose by James Brown - JB at his heaviest, the baseline's irresistible.

Who are your favorite local DJs (foreign or Chinese), apart from the Funk Fever guys? Why?

I'd probably have to say Eddie Lv, as far as DJs go, the guy's just got so much energy when he's playing that it's infectious.

What are some of the weaknesses Beijing's party scene suffers from? How could these be overcome? What does the scene need?

Mainly the lack of a great and centrally located venue which houses a diverse array of music, but there also seems to be a strange vortex here, in which we all complain about lack of diversity in nightlife, and then stick to the same venues and styles of music. However, I hope more solid options firmly plant themselves here.

Do visiting foreign DJs contribute to the scene's development, or provide a temporary distraction that hinders the local scene's development? I know lots of people who are always interested in a foreign “big-name” DJ visiting, but show little interest in locally based DJs, whether Chinese or foreign.

Visiting DJs and musicians add another dimension (hopefully) to Beijing's ever-expanding scene. Whether or not it seems visibly apparent, I believe everything's connected - even disparate forms like underground scenes and pop music in some ways symbiotically feed off one other.

You work with both bands and DJs – what are there differences between the rock scene and electronic music scene? It seems to me that the rock scene is on slightly more solid footing, more evolved – would you agree? If so, why is that?

Aside from Rock's earlier presence and general social acceptance, a band tends to evoke more of a 'performance' atmosphere than the average DJ. That being said, there is already the presence of dance culture in China, on streets and squares, and it's up to clubs and promoters to expose folks to different aspects of this culture, as well as DJs to try and bring people into the dance with their skills and selection.