Huta Radio (Live DJ mixes recorded during a residency at Hutaoli)

The Huta Radio series is a sonic time capsule from a demanding, highly formative era: a relentless seven-day-a-week residency at Hutaoli, a vibrant Chinese music and video venue. Secured through manager Chris L., this residency was a nightly masterclass in reading a room and blending digital DJ execution with live, acoustic performances.

Every evening began with a distinct, quiet atmosphere. Arriving with just a MacBook and Serato, the room would initially be filled with the delicate sounds of a solo singer performing dinner music under low lights. The true shift in the room's energy—and the official start of the DJ programming—was marked by a strict venue ritual: the manager cueing a live version of Michael Jackson's "You Are Not Alone." As those final notes faded, the night pivoted, kicking off an initial 15-to-20-minute opening mix to set the stage for the night's featured vocalist.

What followed was a nightly high-wire act of technical coordination. Working alongside award-winning Chinese singers, the sets required catching USBs on the fly, cueing backing tracks on CDJs, and seamlessly bridging the gap between live vocal performances and open-format mixing. It meant managing the crowd's energy down to the smallest detail—including triggering live applause samples to hype the room, though the sheer talent of the vocalists often made the crowd erupt entirely on their own. After navigating intermission mixes and extended vocal sets, the stage was handed over completely, leaving the DJ to carry the room solo until 1 AM. These recordings capture the raw, unfiltered crowd control and stamina forged during those nightly marathons.