Kevin Usagi

Hi friends guess whose track made it to Boiler Room 🥲⁣ ⁣ Bro man @sivaneshpillai asked me to tune into the 20th minute of @niks_bad Boiler Room set live from The Warehouse Project in Manchester and boom there it was. “Black Shore” was a track I produced back in 2020 and I never released it on any label whatsoever. Yet many years later and halfway around the world, UK selector NIKS had somehow excavated it and exposed it to a packed global audience. Surreal doesn’t even begin to cover an inkling of what I’m feeling. ⁣ ⁣ As a producer, I’ve reached a point where I’ve stopped making music for hits or number of plays. I’m quite content making music just enough to feed my soul. But I always felt something special for Black Shore. I remember being particularly proud of it when I cooked it in my more wide-eyed state, and the feedback I got locally from you guys was encouraging. I was eager to give it more reach but never got around to doing it, so thanks NIKS for giving that track a second wind years later.⁣ ⁣ I didn’t even wanna believe it when I first heard it. I thought maybe someone had ripped it off and plugged it as their own. But my insecurity fizzled away when I checked the tracklist to find my name lodged between tracks from Untold, Roza Terenzi and The Hacker to name a few. NIKS’ whole set is a masterclass here and you gotta listen to the whole thing. Keep a watch on her she’s brilliant. ⁣ ⁣ And to all producers and DJs here in Singapore, keep on pushing no matter how small. You never know what the universe has in store of you.

Sneak Peak. 👀 We are bringing back the house party vibes. No big rooms and no egos. Just an intimate NYC Loft vibe in an SG Shophouse with the @voidacoustics.sg rig. 🔉🔉 We have also mapped out a 12 hour journey focusing on the importance of sound and dance. These are ancient rituals that have been scientifically proven to be medicine for the mind,body and soul. 🧘🏽 We keep our locations under wraps to protect the intimacy of the room and to ensure everyone is synced on the same frequency. It is not about being exclusive for the sake of it. It is about making sure that when the doors close, the space is filled with exactly the right people who have sought out the sound. 🎶🙏🏽 Capacity is Limited. Once the tickets are done the doors stay closed to focus on us having a good time. 🚪 Ticket link in bio. 🔗

The Secret Loft Party Part 3 03 DANCE | 9pm – 2am: We’re closing out The Loft with a heavyweight lineup of local selectors dishing out all things House and Techno on our Void Acoustics sound system. Quality through and through. Lineup: The Beat Usagi, Daytime Dancing, Erwin Linden, Hammy, RTJ, Taz Angullia Tickets $35 | Includes access to the Listening Session. Link in bio 🔗

So what was january all about anyhoo? Turned 38, had some ridiculously good eats, watched a gig or two, caught up, wound down, started new work things and just trying to live my best life with the wife. It’s a simple pace, but eh, I’ll take it.

making a mental note to have more short and sweet tralalala getaways like this

The Beat Usagi is the musical alias of Singaporean DJ, producer, and journalist Kevin Ho. A versatile and narrative-driven selector, the project channels his nomadic imagination into fluid, shapeshifting sets that balance experimentation with dancefloor intuition. With over a decade spent documenting the local scene as founder and editor of Life In Arpeggio, Kevin brings a curator’s ear and historian’s insight to his craft. His DJ sets unfold like journeys, moving through glitchy textures, tribal rhythms, and driving beats, before settling into downtempo, reflective terrain. Drawing from house, techno, Italo, Balearic, electronica, minimal, nu-disco, and indie dance, The Beat Usagi adapts seamlessly to shifting spaces and moods. A familiar presence across Singapore’s club circuit, he has played venues including The Council, Thugshop, Headquarters, Tuff Club, and Offtrack, supporting international acts such as Radio Slave and Demi Riquísimo. As a producer, Kevin has released four EPs and multiple collaborations since 2017, with his track “Black Shore” receiving international support on Boiler Room via UK selector NIKS. Ig: @8bitusagi @lifeinarpeggio

Starting the year with a thoughtful line-up of sounds. From intimate acoustic sets to late-night DJ sessions—diverse, impactful, and rooted in community. 9th Jan - @8bitusagi When it comes to his lexis behind the decks, The Beat Usagi is eloquently versatile. The musical project of Singaporean DJ, producer and journalist, KevinHo, The Beat Usagi exists as an autobahn of expression for his oft-nomadic imaginarium. 16th Jan - @_hzqq_ Based in the vibrant city-state of Singapore, HZQ has been spinning tracks that ignite the dance floor for four years. Drawing inspiration from the eclectic sounds of breaks, jungle, UK bassline, techno, and RnB, HZQ crafts infectious sets that get crowds moving. 23rd Jan - @dusty.adam Adam returns for another intimate acoustic set on 23rd January, bringing stripped-back melodies and heartfelt vocals that effortlessly serenade the room. With a sound that’s both soothing and soulful, Adam knows exactly how to read the crowd—whether it’s a quiet sing-along moment or a late-night vibe that keeps the energy flowing. 30th Jan - Special B3B Set @dee4shorttt Rooted in R&B, Soul & Hiphop, Dee’s genre-fluidity has put her behind the steering wheels of dancefloors from Bangkok, to Manila, to Singapore where she has held residencies at Mandala Club, Potato Head, and now The Standard. @wonniegochild Raised on radio hits, rewired by Seoul’s underground, ‘wonni’ is no stranger to the dance floor. Selector by night, dancer all day, he builds sets that hit the heart and the hips with grooves that don’t let go. @t.williamssssss T.Williams is a charismatic and high-energy hype man and event host whose magnetic personality lights up every stage he graces, whether he’s at the hottest clubs in Singapore, pumping up the crowd at exclusive parties, or hosting electrifying shows for private events. With a keen ear for music and a natural ability to connect with any crowd. Not forgetting our curated open decks on 10th Jan with @braydenpeterr + @emmantsyx up & coming local talents with groovy tunes! ✨

First xmas tree in our new home hitting with a whole different kind of warm fuzzy feelz. Jingling with my tingleying @kittingfong

31 December, GATHER TOGETHER this New Year’s Eve at RASA What a year. It’s not been easy getting it all together, which is why, this NYE, we’re ushering 2026 doing exactly that. We’re bringing community from every corner, energy from every era, and something for everyone under one roof as we dance of 2025, and welcome 2026. Starting with a true titan of electronic music: @darrenemersonmusic From shaping the sound of Underworld to defining a generation through his Global Underground mixes, Darren’s fingerprints run deep across dance music. Darren put Singapore on the map with the release of Global Underground 020: Singapore which has become a fond staple to most DJs and music-heads. Having him with us this NYE, to open a new year in our new home felt just right. Around him, the night stretches out in its own ways: Returning to the floor, we have @barker_volteklabs and @kinleonn setting strong sonic foundations with a live performance together with @s_____ffyan and A&E (@amberhaudio & @emmassiscalling ) guiding the room. And in the Hall we have @failtrylagi and @8bitusagi b2b @mrpohjavan bringing their own colours and stories to the night. On this night, we gather together — to celebrate one another and to welcome the New Year as a community. Doors open 22:00 so come early and spend the last few moments of 2025 with us. Early Bird $40 | Standard: $48 | Door $60 (incl. 1 drink) Get your tickets at #linkinbio 🎟️

As someone who’s often ventured into the more urban parts of Japan, heading to the Seto Inland Sea for the Setouchi Triennale was literally a breath of fresh air. Held once every three years, the Triennale boasts hundreds of artworks across its scenic charming isles and I had the chance to catch just a sliver of them with the cutie crew. Saw a Yayoi Kusama pumpkin. Giant legged mushrooms. Unsettling doll statues. A quirky bathhouse with tiles of my dreams. Brutalist bliss in a Tadao Ando-designed museum. Water coming alive like a T-1000. And the best coastal views I think I’ve ever seen. Even conquered my fear of cycling around teshima despite falling into a ditch. Yes, I will get hurt for art.

Finally struck labyrinth off the bucket list and it just might be my new favourite festival. Three days and two nights surrounded by nature and love. Pitching tents in the chilly fog. Replenishing HP with ramen and gumbo. Trippy techno that tickles the brain. Ambient swirls and chants for mental resets. Timeless deep house and some peekaboo d&b to awaken the senses. Rolling greens and endless blues of Minakami. Unreal sunsets that burn the sky. Beautiful mind-yanking sets from DJ Masda, Peter Van Hoesen, Fred P and DJ Red. Winding down with our personal campsite midnight diner (and cup noodle omakase). Another lifetime memory forged with the bestest crew. ぜひまた行くぞ. 来年かなぁ?

Blackout Agency x Wild Pearl: Pearl-o-ton!. St John’s Island Ride 🚲🏝️ On 30 Aug, we’re taking you off the mainland and onto the hidden gem of St John’s Island — a place steeped in history, once home to quarantine centres, POW camps, and political detainees, and today one of Singapore’s most untouched escapes.🌴🌴🌴 We’ll be joined by the @wildpearlstudio crew and their iconic cargo bike, soundtracking a scenic ride around the island. On the decks: The Beat Usagi, setting the vibe for your island adventure. The ride runs 4–5pm, followed by a hangout to enjoy the sunset and good company. 🌅 This experience is limited to 30 riders only. Bring your own bike — we’ll handle transport from Marina South Pier to St John’s Island and back. Don’t miss out on this. It’s going to be an extremely fun day trip with us. We told u, we don’t do normal.. Read more on @lifeinarpeggio or click the link in our stories to check out info. 👍🏽 Hit us up if u have any question. 📥 🖤🖤🖤