Soi48 proudly presents this book,
a photographic document of the unique dance music clubs
and culture
of Southeast Asia and East Asia.
The photos, from the years 2017 through 2025,
were taken in nightclubs, discos, festivals, raves,
sound system parties,
private parties, and migrant
worker clubs —
the places where Asia’s unique dance music genres are born
and thrive.
ADM, with its exclusive
on-the-spot snapshots,
provides an extraordinary
visual archive
of Asian contemporary
dance music.
Book title:
ADM: Asia’s own unhinged club culture
Author/publisher: Soi48
Number of pages: 228 pages
Paperback
Size: 257 x 182 x 7mm
The book is enclosed in a printed clear plastic bag
Journeying through Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, Malaysia, Indonesia,
Philippines, Myanmar, Taiwan, Korea, and Japan,
Soi48 captures glimpses of how people create their nights,
visually comparing the differences between countries in fashion,
dance style, lighting, club interiors, flyers, and more,
showcasing the distinctive entertainment culture
that each country has created.
The 167 photos also feature
the pioneering DJs and
track makers
who built unique music genres in each country,
such as Budots (Philippines),
Vina House (Vietnam), and
Saiyo (Thailand).
Also of note:
the book provides a valuable record of nightlife during the
COVID-19 pandemic;
captures the energy that migrant workers release in clubs
on weekends;
and in general showcases
the ingenuity,
wit, and passion of music lovers throughout the region.
ADM = Asian Dance Music
is a local dance music culture
that has taken root in multiple Asian countries and regions.
Track makers integrate
distinctive rhythms,
often inspired by
their traditional music,
with dance music to create a new sound and style.
With DJs, MCs and clubs
working in unison,
they set unique trends
resonating with their
respective audiences.
Represented by BUDOTS
in the Philippines,
VANA HOUSE in Vietnam,
FUNKOT in Indonesia, and
SAIYOR in Thailand —
ADM is dance music equivalent to BAILE FUNK and AMAPIANO.
If you sneak into local clubs
and experience
the extraordinary energy,
you will realise that a dance culture
as energetic as that of Detroit or Berlin has flourished in Asia.
ADM will continue to thrive
by cross-border collaborations between artists,
deeply appreciating both traditional
and leading-edge dance music.
A duo, comprising Tokyo natives Keiichi Utsuki and Shinsuke Takagi,
that promotes the magic of Asia and Asian music through DJ-ing, writing, design, and party activities.
of Southeast Asia and East Asia.
Their interests range from traditional music to cutting-edge dance music,
released on physical media as well as on the internet.
In addition to supervising the film Bangkok Nights (Kuzoku) and the EM Records Thai music series,
they introduce the joys of Asian music and travel through talk events, TV, radio appearances, etc.
Their books include TRIP TO ISAN: A Traveling Thai Isan Music Disc Guide (DU BOOKS),
OMK#001 (OMK), and ADM: Asia's own unhinged club culture.
As ever, they enthusiastically continue to research dance music and sound system culture
in Asian countries.
