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FORMAT.HQ Presents. Asian Archive MixISSUE 03   ADEAD, little DD & 阿带










ADEAD, little DD

/ɐdˈɛd/ , /lˈɪtə͡l dˌiːdˈiː/
(Shenzhen)

ADEAD, Pioneer of Emo Bass, Employing apocalyptic deconstruction techniques, they subuert dub music and its undiscouered subgenres, aiming to spearhead its reinuention. Based in Guangdong Province, they rank among the region's most prolific producers and DJs.
They haue released words on labels including Bio Future Laboratory, POSTWORLD, C.T.M, Absurd Trax, Jyugam, Daftpop Sounds, ZAAANG, double take records, and Seippelabel.


Words: Jace Liao  |  22 October, 2025


INSPIRATION
OF THESE MIXES



This programme comprises Side A and Side B, reflecting my triple identity.

Side A: AURE(ADEAD U RUIN EVERYTHING)

This isn't just a title; it's a mission statement. Side A is its manifesto — a visceral outlet for confronting one's own vulnerability, transformed into a nihilistic rebellion against the world.

Hearing it, you're hit with a blistering, high-velocity assault. The track fuses a 2022 DJ set, recorded at the mega-club Galame in China, with a newly reworked 'Destruction Mix', condensing ADEAD's arsenal of cataclysmic sounds into one devastating piece of rave music.

Side B: 4X4=0

Side B emerged from a long thought process about global scene dance music preferences, born out of weariness with the globally dominant 4x4 beat and a yearning for unique, complex rhythms. This mix, crafted by little DD and 阿带, brims with Broken Beat/Bruk's challenge to conventional pop sensibilities. It harmonizes with little DD's appreciation for dance beyond electronic club music, pursuing the goal of comfortable dancing without boredom.

Enjoy.

Q&A



From evolving from aDeAD to ADEAD, then developing identities like little DD, and moving from being rooted in Guangzhou's underground scene to Shenzhen, how has your mindset transformed? 



In fact, I developed all of my personal projects during my four years in Guangzhou. I played a wide variety of music and constantly explored its boundaries, so the aDeAD project represents the culmination of my initial musical experiments and explorations. I believe I grew so rapidly that I put pressure on everyone while simultaneously discovering my identity as an artistic creator. At this pivotal moment in my life, I decided to step out of my former comfort zone and leave Guangzhou to return to my birthplace to focus on independent creation. My greatest realisation is that I must accept and understand myself. During my time in Guangzhou, I was subject to a great deal of criticism and judgement. It was often only when I was alone that I could produce good work. And so, I continue to progress boldly.






Could you tell us where your name comes from?


ADEAD actually came about quite by accident during my time at college, when I suddenly grew weary of cute aesthetics and became intensely emo. At the time, I went by the name Akira Dream, and then someone added 'De' to the abbreviation 'AD'. One day, a friend suddenly called me 'Adai', and it just clicked. ADEAD is simply the antonym of ALIVE. While I acknowledge that the name carries a certain intensity, I have grown comfortable with any interpretation of it. Using all caps also makes life easier for designers. This moniker embodies the theme of my life. Around the time of my graduation, I experienced many farewells involving life and death, including the passing of my father. However, I chose to accept and embrace these negative emotions, channelling them through artistic expression.





Recommend three tracks from your release to readers and explain why you chose them.



I absolutely adore S.T.G, Call It Hard Drum, and Move! Move!

These three tracks have undoubtedly shaped my own personal worldview. S.T.G embodies a boldness and audacity I've never before possessed, Call It Hard Drum captures the beauty within despair, while Move! Move! is my most visually evocative work.







What is your take on the current underground scene in China – could you offer a sharp critique of it?



I feel there's still a lack of research and critical thinking among us, coupled with an excessive tendency to expect handouts. But what can you do?DJing is seen as just entertainment and a leisure activity, and most people want to take part rather than excel. I observe people backing down when faced with challenges.

Nevertheless, it's crucial for someone to take the lead — that's true across all industries.

Many practitioners are under considerable pressure due to time and resource constraints. Widespread discontent and intense survival pressure mean that numerous quality venues are struggling to stay alive, while fresh and compelling events are becoming increasingly scarce. It's an overwhelming situation – it's best not to dwell on it too much. For now, the priority is simply to survive while doing as much good as possible within one's means.



You're notorious for being a member of the “Anti-4/4 Music League”. Why don't you like 4/4 music?


My time working at two clubs in Guangzhou probably played a part — many of my less-than-stellar musical memories involve techno! Having experienced deconstructed club scenes and reached musical dead ends, I naturally gravitated towards more eccentric and inventive rhythmic designs. The decisive factor here is the design of the kick and other drum patterns. 4x4 is notoriously difficult to innovate with, and I find the current trend of everyone jumping on the bandwagon is riddled with mediocre obsession — or perhaps it's just my own fixation on broken beats. However, if you want to have fun, just give it a go.

When DJing, introducing a mix from another track that suddenly shifts the rhythm can be thrilling. Compared to the consistent stability of 4x4, I crave more room for expression and creativity. You might even find greater inspiration here, as 4x4 is prone to template homogenisation, whereas broken beat resists this. It inherently offers more possibilities in terms of both feel and creative approach.


Is there anything you would like to say to the ppl currently thriving in the Asian scene?


To discover more of your potential, look after your mental wellbeing. Learn everything you can about music and conduct research and experiments to uncover things that interest and bring you joy. Feel and reflect. With perseverance and a commitment to improvement, you will only get better and better.






MIXES ARE OUT
ON OUR SOUNDCLOUD








TRACKLIST

DJ Jerry (羅百吉) - 幹你娘
DJ N.K. - Matumbina
Ørjan Nilsen - The Late Anthem (Way Too Late Mix)
Pixelord - Shuffleclub
House of Suns - Untender
Raymond Wong (黃英華) - Kung Fu 1
Bad Zu - ROYAL ENFIELD
Comastasis - Swarm
Resla - CUCURRUCU
Bulma - G Force (tropical interface upgrade)
El Irreal Veintiuno - Dogma
Selvagia - RUGIDO
TSVI - Black Dog
Prettybwoy - Rat's Talk feat. IlIl
Yelzin - Basic Instinct
otro - 2KWorld
Liliane Chlela - Swordfish
oldyungmayn - Bassboor
Van Boom & Safety Trance & Evita Manji - OBJECT MAPPING
Wristboi - Knight Terror (Tommy Bahama Remix)
tropical interface - Plant Genome (Comastasis Recycle)
Hans Zimmer & John Powell & Lorne Balfe - Dragon Noodle Warrior
Toby Davis - Rust in My Veins (ADEAD Remix)
Design Default - A.S.K
Demdike Stare - Know Where To Start
Sinjin Hawke - Snow Blind (Doubt 148 Edit)
Grasps_ - Bloodflow
DJ MA GILLA - H ENERNITY
BTG - Meek Mill Ft. Cardi B (BTG RMX)
T5UMUT5UMU - STRANGE CREATURE IN THE GARDEN
Comastasis - Ross 308
Jaymie Silk - Savage
Novelist & Mumdance - 1 Sec
T5UMUT5UMU - Deconstructed Eco Grime
Kazuki Koga - The Face
Beton Brut - Booters
Linn da Quebrada - Pirigoza Vampyr (Odete Remix)
Pixelord - Chrono Echoes (Broken Haze Remix)
Sioban - That ash seeketh embers...
ZULI - Bump
EEK - Trinity
Raiika & Ghost Raid & August Fear - Self-Immolation (Crown Of Starlight)
Viner - Qurgōn (WULFFLUW XCIV Remix)
Only Now & Dave Sharma - Merciless III
Bloomfeld - Echo Resin
ADEAD - Move! Move!
Dj Narciso Rsproduções - Não Sabes
ETHiK - GG
ADR - Fiscal Spliff
Aire - Ending









TRACKLIST

Offshore and Coen & Kali Mija - Always (Alone) (Reprise)
Raw Gamma - FelaAyers (feat Quinn Mason)
ChrisCarter - Whistling Bird
Harold Matthews Jr & Sean McCabe - Metronome (Turbojazz Remix Edit)
Jared Jackson - Things I Would Do
Bruk Rogers & Jswiss & Onj - Feel Alright
Wipe The Needle - No Sleep
Bruk Rogers & Wipe The Needle - Jelly Head
NameBrandSound - Head Down (feat. Reek0)
Sly5thAve - Liberation (Jamz Supernova & Sam Interface Remix)
Xtra Brux - Hot Shot
DJ CHiEF - Focus on Beat!
Son Of Dan - Bruk Encounters
Disclosure - Tenderly
Raz & Afla - Shikor Shikor (Jamz Supernova & Sam Interface Remix)
STREETON & Pluto Monkey - In Transit
Tennyson & Leslie - Dolphin
Afronaut™ - Gettin' Hotter (Hitch93 Remix)
Ben Hauke - DAGADAGA
Jkarri - 1 Ina Million
Footshooter & James Mollison - Cycles
Jkarri - Nuff Imports
MILLICENT - GOOD MORNING
SofaTalk - Magpie's Rules
EVM128 & Ché Wax & Sticky Dub - Brukley Clash
Footshooter & Natty Wylah & Brother Portrait - Obelisk
Last Nubian - Ring the Alarm
Subquest & Chiminyo & Viva Cee - Glide
SofaTalk - Drum Circle
K15 - measured resistance
Erykah Badu - I'll Call U Back (ZJ Edit)
Mo Wrights - things2proof
Sentinel 793 - My Guess
Sticky Dub - Trouble n Bass
MILLICENT - MAGGOT STAIN
Highrise - Next Level
Mod Sens - Bridges
38. L-Vis 1990 - Junglism
Disclosure - Jaded (Jammer Remix)
神崎蘭子 (内田真礼) & 黒埼ちとせ (佐倉薫) - 堕ちる果実 (Kur@ra DJ Tool)
NOROI - Heart Under Blade








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