Singapore nightlife mourns promoter and DJ Eileen Chan, dead at 32
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Loading... - Banyul Nur
- 09 May 2022
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Singapore’s nightlife scene is in mourning for promoter and DJ Eileen Chan, who died last week aged 32.
As the co-founder of the music promoter The Council in 2016, Chan revolutionised Singapore’s underground club scene, bringing Peggy Gou, Amelie Lens, Charlotte de Witte and many more house and techno DJs to the country and organising secret warehouse raves.
She also co-founded the cult-favourite venues Headquarters, a two-storey club in Boat Quay with a dancefloor defined by its graffitied walls and red lasers, and Tuff Club, a pop-up-turned-permanent space that operated out of a former Chinese restaurant. Both venues cultivated an approach to partying grounded by reverence for the music, passion for community and love of the dancefloor.
“The idea of Headquarters was simple, we wanted a no-frills kind of place where people could come enjoy themselves and have a good night out, a place where people don’t feel like they need to dress up or spend lots of money to enjoy themselves,” said Chan and Headquarters and Council cofounder Clement Chin in a 2017 interview.
“Headquarters was always meant to be a space people can escape to and not have any care in the world, and enjoy music at the same time.”
Chan DJed under the moniker Cats On Crack, playing festivals worldwide and performing on bills alongside the likes of The Field, Todd Edwards, Cassy and Scarlett Etienne.
NME understands Chan died in Berlin on Wednesday, May 4. No cause of death has been given.
Tributes to Chan have poured forth from Singapore’s nightlife and club scenes. DJ Zig Zach of music consultancy and promoter Blackout Agency remembered the pint-sized Chan, who light-heartedly called herself “Singapore’s shortest DJ”, to NME. “What she lacked in height she made up in personality and drive, and damn was she driven,” he said.
Zig Zach continued: “At a young age of 32 the events and clubs that she built are achievements in the music industry that many can only wish for. She was always pushing boundaries and navigating her way around many [different] obstacles thrown at her. Singapore lost a really bright star in the scene and everyone is shocked and saddened by it. My thoughts and prayers go out to her family and loved ones affected by this tragic news.” Read More...
