NIGHT PROWL — Few people can cite experience bringing order to half a million mystical seekers on their resumes. And there may be only one for whom it proved pretty good preparation for creating more intimate, transcendental experiences.
Steve Moss is the godfather of Bangkok DJs. After moving to Thailand 20 years ago and pioneering the local underground scene, Moss is a well-known character in the nightlife, never missing a big event – even after so many others have come and gone from the dance floor (and let’s face it, become really boring) through the years. But not much is known about the soft-spoken man, something of a paradox for a party promoter.
Manow – as he’s affectionately known by partygoers – still plays a big part in the scene. He’s one of the founders UB Radio, a 24/7 online station about to celebrate its sixth anniversary with a party at Glow Nightclub. UB showcases DJs by giving them a platform to share their music by uploading sets and giving them regular shows and events.
“I’m a mama-san for 100 fucking egotistical DJs,” he said with unfeigned modesty. “I feel like a mama-san in a whorehouse, helping (DJs) promote all their stuff for free. UB Radio’s never going to make a lot of money. I’m doing it out of love.”
Manow’s story started in Philadelphia. The son of a Broadway director and an artist, a younger Manow relocated to Miami, where he lived for 15 years. He built up an executive security company, coordinating stays for the rich and famous from the private jet down to the hotel suite. That’s how Manow eventually became in charge of security for the famed Indian meditation teacher, Maharaji or Prem Rawat.
“We traveled around the world, and that’s where I got my experience putting on events,” explained Manow. “We did events with 600,000 people and I had to set up the programs, make sure the hotels were secure, everything.”
Photo: Siam2Nite
Manow became passionate about meditation during that time (“It doesn’t make it rain or shine or give me money, but that’s what makes me feel good”). In 1991, he came to Thailand as a backpacker and fell in love with the country. But at the time, there wasn’t any underground music – no deep house, techno, what have you – and that just wouldn’t cut it.
“So I partnered up with the police and started an after-hours club in Pattaya in 1994,” said Manow. “It was so illegal, but so cool.”
The short-lived coffeeshop-cum-24/7 freak party joint was open only to locals who knew somebody who knew somebody else – gathering up to 600 people on a night.
“There were no highways, roads, it was kind of a hassle to get out there,” said Steve, coincidentally on the phone en route to Pattaya (this time, in a cushy mini-van, but still lacking sleep after two or three days of partying and uploading mixes… some things don’t change). “Those days were like heaven on earth. I used to just come here and kiss the ground.”
A few years later, Manow stopped DJing to start UB Radio. There are now around 100 DJs on the roster, from Thailand and even Cambodia, Malaysia and Japan. The station used to put together a lot of club events, but Manow says he’s grown tired of that aspect, at least in Bangkok, where commercial music seems to be taking over.
“It’s gotten very hard here for good music all of a sudden,” he said. “There’s a lot of good things out there, but it’s a little low. There’s just a lot of commercial right now, but underground will come back.”
UB Radio is planning to expand with club nights in Phnom Phenh, but don’t expect quantity over quality from anytime soon – the same way Manow’s always done business, with few words but a lot of heart.
“I’m not working with anybody, unless they’re doing something good,” the godfather said. “I’ve definitely turned down money. I’m not being a Communist or anything, I just want to keep it real.”
UB Radio celebrates its sixth year with simultaneous parties in Bangkok, Phnom Penh and Kuala Lumpur on May 24.
In Bangkok, DJs Saintvincent, The Outsider, Stewart, Mendy and Mody will take it all back full circle to Glow Nightclub. Tickets are THB300 and include one drink.
FIND IT:
UB Radio Sixth Anniversary Party
Sukhumvit Soi 23
BTS Asoke, MRT Sukhumvit
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