Every once in a while, someone quizzes jungle/dub DJ Chinese Daughter as to why she’s a vinyl-only DJ. Like it’s an intentional statement. Something manufactured. And yet, little do they know, there is no well-planned gimmick to impress the algorithm over here. The South London DJ’s love for mixing records came long before her rise in jungle music. Her skills honed at home alongside her flat-mate Vinnie, who graciously taught her the ropes. It was a family affair that she brought into the dance, not the other way round.
Born into a home of music enthusiasts, Chinese Daughter’s early years hold huge accountability for her love for music. From the old school acid, Chicago house, soul and punk that filled her home growing up, to her early raving years as a teen; her life has been soundtracked by great music and, in turn, a deep appreciation for the arts.
Fast forward to now, the deeply adored Kool FM resident continues to pique the interests of both the old-school and the new-school. An expert digger with a modern twist. Each set carefully crafted, each record carefully selected.
Living her life moment by moment, Chinese Daughter is a fine example of what it means to ignore the noise and focus on what’s right in front of you. And with her eclectic sets causing quite the stir, we met her for coffee in central London to do a little digging ourselves.
Chinese Daughter! Let’s take it back a little. Talk to us about your house musically growing up.
My parents are ex-ravers! I’ve got quite young parents. My dad is primarily a house head – old school, Chicago, a bit of everything. My mum loves music too. She’s definitely probably more into soul, but loves jungle. And then my stepdad’s in a punk/ska band and loved bands like The Prodigy, so I did a bit of guitar and some bass when I was younger. Weirdly – no one really knows this – but I used to do a lot of dance when I was younger. Tap dancing. I did it for my school. Someone said to me the other day that actually it makes sense why I like breaks! Similar rhythms.
My dad absolutely loves music. Like, really passionate. He sends me different tracks, reels, DJ sets. It could be Juneteenth or some rave in New York in 2004. He’s actually, I’d say, more obsessed with music than I am.
Amazing! Would you say his passion is where you get yours from?
Yeah, definitely, and raving when I was younger too. Growing up in South London as well – you’ve got everything on your doorstep, so you’re lucky.
Talk to us about the transition from raver into becoming a DJ yourself.
So I used to have a flatmate called Vinnie. He loves music and had decks at home in his room. One time we’re just chilling and he just said, ‘Oh, do you want to give it a go?’ And I was like, yeah. That was pretty much it. I just loved it straight away. I was actually a bedroom DJ for a bit, until I linked up with the Swamp 81 crew in 2021. That was a really interesting time, playing jungle in a scene that isn’t heavily breaks. Only my boyfriend, Benton, really pushed breaks in that world. Jungle was starting to pop off again in the mainstream around that too. Everything was very serendipitous, really. The Swamp crew then brought me into Rinse FM. I was also doing Balamii and other shows at the same time, and then I got onto Kool. Now I’m known as a jungle DJ, but I mix everything.
Gotcha… and then things just progressed deeper into the jungle scene from there?
Exactly. It’s funny, I love DJing, but I didn’t want to be a DJ. It wasn’t intentionally like, I want to get a radio show and I want to get gigs. It was always about meeting people and mixing at home or mixing at people’s houses. It’s a sociable thing for me. But now I’m in it, I love it. It’s the most fun – but very unexpected. I’m happy I started at 29 too, it’s a good age to start something, you feel more sure of yourself and where you’re going.
Mixing vinyl is a great way of standing out in a very digital, techy era, but for you, it was just how things started?
Exactly, it’s just how I started doing it. Also, I’m a technophobe. I haven’t downloaded anything since Limewire times. It’s just not something I do. You listen to stuff online and you have your collection on Spotify or whatever. But yeah, I’m actually not very good on CDJs at all. I feel like I can’t get it in time. I like a physical thing. Even when I did a bit of art when I was younger, it was always painting – it was never photography. I could never use Photoshop. I’d always print things and layer them. I like tangible things.
Mixing on vinyl is just fun. It’s more challenging, more enjoyable. Even if you’re not on 100%, I enjoy doing that more. But the thing is, whatever you’re doing, just enjoy it. That’s literally it. No one really cares in the dance if you’re mixing vinyl or CDJs. They’re just having fun. They just want the vibes.
How does working only with records influence your sets?
Buying records now – especially if you’re mixing jungle, drum & bass or housey bits – you don’t rely on mail outs. You have to go and look for them. It’s a different way of digging. I think you have a more individual taste. I like to get a record that is one of only a few. A tune that I think about all the time. Something that makes me obsessed. Sometimes I’ll message people on Discogs and be like, I really want this record, will you do it for a reduced price? There’s something really satisfying about getting a track that isn’t available digitally. So the only time you hear it is if you have that record or if it’s in a set. It’s kind of this nerdy little thing. Like I used to love wearing Wallabees. I used to have like 40 pairs. Now I love collecting records. Finding them, being like, I’ve wanted this for ages. It’s like an Easter egg hunt vibe. And it’s about the record shops as well. Palace Vinyl in Brixton. Phonica Records. Nick – massive part of Phonica Records – has been a massive part of my DJing career. Out to Planet Wax. Soul proprietors in Brixton. A lot of record shops I go to, I see people in there as family to me. We’re very close.
Love that. What is it about the physicality of a record that means something to you?
You only have what you have. Travelling with them can be a lot though. I’ve got a trolley now, but I spent years with tote bags. You learn to pack light. When I was in Australia, I left all of my records in an Uber on the first day of tour in Brisbane. The promoter – I think his name is Jack – out to Jack – had to chase them down for hours. I think the Uber driver ended up blackmailing him for like $300. If I hadn’t had someone help me, I wouldn’t have had my bag. And the worst place to lose your records is on the first day of a tour in Australia. So yeah, there’s been some hairy moments.
What do you think record shop culture has/had that modern music is missing?
Conversation. Belonging. Community. Exclusivity. Having to go and pick up that record. How are we meeting people these days? All through Instagram? Where’d you buy your tracks from? Where are your like-minded people? I’ve heard stories that record shops weren’t as friendly back in the day. But for me, now, I find them the friendliest places. They’re encyclopaedias of knowledge. They’re involved. That community aspect is gold.
What are the downsides of being a vinyl only DJ…
Buying records is very expensive! Especially jungle, garage, certain house and techno. They’re old school records. Not everyone can afford it. That’s why I’ve got a job too. If I hear sets that sound similar to mine, it’s normally a DJ that has loved this sound for years. Or if I go to a shop and it’s stacked with everything, I always ask if someone has died. Or whose record collection got sold? Because you can’t amass that sort of collection unless it’s someone’s collection.
Sounds like a real investment in money, time, energy…
Yeah – you have to really dig too. It’s a part of what separates some of my sets from others. If it’s not digitised and well known, they’re not playing rare cuts because they can’t find them or buy them. It’s like a game for me. If I really want to get one – how can I make that happen?
What have you learned from working in music?
Nobody really cares as much as you think they do. Everyone’s just doing their thing. It’s not that deep. People are always going to have an opinion, but most people are pretty sweet. I’ve made the cutest friendships in music. Music opens up doors for potential friendships and connections. People have work friends, school friends – and then music friends. It’s really cool.
Future plans for Chinese Daughter?
Honestly, I just go with the flow. I try not to plan too many things. It’s quite exciting to just be existing and get a phone call to do something. If you don’t expect anything, you’re constantly pleasantly surprised.
I say to my flatmate – if you die tomorrow, would you be happy with some of the experiences you’ve had with music? I know if I stopped DJing tomorrow or never got a booking again, I’d be really satisfied with the memories I’ve created so far. It’s been a lot of fun. So, yeah, no future plans as such. Just enjoying what’s right in front of me.
Follow Chinese Daughter: Instagram / Chinese Daughter Soundcloud
Cover Photo Credit Cicley Grace
