DJ THC
Thierry Halbroth - an advertising executive by day, DJ THC by night - is probably best known for his self-marketing adroitness. Whether it's wearing a T-shirt that promotes an upcoming gig, donning sunglasses donated by a party sponsor or through his own enthusiastic buzz-talk manner, he is a walking-talking billboard for the popular Insertion club night.
Insertion was conceived one drunken night in late 2002 by Halbroth and mate Vincent Quek, DJ and music director of the Kee Club in Central, who was then manning the decks at Wan Chai's One-fifth bar. 'After a few too many drinks, we came to the conclusion that there was no place in Hong Kong to have fun,' says the 33-year-old Frenchman.
Soon after, a sober Halbroth re-named himself THC and Quek took on the moniker of Q-Tipp, and Insertion was launched on Boxing Day 2002 to great success. 'What started out as a casual double-DJ jam session turned into a huge regular event,' he says.
Originally, Insertion parties were themed on global music journeys, including African, Brazilian, Middle-Eastern and Russian adventures. Over time, it has morphed into a sultry musical mash-up that mixes ethnic, electro and nostalgia. 'Insertion will always be known as what we like to call Buddha Bar on steroids,' Halbroth says.
Today, Halbroth's party-promoter prowess has spanned new horizons. In May 2003, he started his series of events called East Side Stories at One-fifth. 'I wanted to create an opportunity for local and international DJs to play back-to-back in deck battles.'
Guest DJ Carl Kennedy headlined the 'Once Upon a Time in New York' inaugural chapter, which has since included a star-studded array of international greats such as Dimitri from Paris, fellow Frenchmen DJ Yellow and P Grant, and New York's DJ Kucha and Sandy Rivera.
Halbroth also spins with Quek at the Wet (Week End Tribal) parties at Kee, that were launched in summer 2003. 'Wet focuses on heavy tribal tracks, mostly African and Brazilian, and can include live percussion, adding a new dimension to the performance,' Halbroth says.
The duo have become renowned for their let-yourself-go attitude, resulting in special bookings for chichi Celine and Dunhill fashion events. And, if you're ever in a Diesel store in Asia, listen closely to the shopping music: DJ THC selected the tracks.
A music lover since the age of 12, Halbroth's DJ career started when he was 25, and has evolved into his trademark fusion style, mixing rock'n'roll hits with house classics, electro and world beats.
'These days, I'm into an Afro-Latin tribal-electro sound, which is still quite new this side of the world and not widely played,' he says. 'Also, I am into anything that has no commercial potential.'
But, although his image and reputation as a party fiend are justified, Halbroth holds down a professional advertising career and keeps his family life in check. 'I started DJing pretty late and I do have a job I love as well as a wife and son who will always come first,' he says. 'Also, I'm not as young as I used to be and recovering from late nights becomes more painful.'
So what keeps him going? 'A night without stupid song requests and a dance floor packed with beautiful people, dancing and feeling happy, in love, and not thinking about anything else but shaking it!'
DJ THC vs Antman at Insertion: The Black Session, tonight, 10pm, One-fifth, Starcrest, 9 Star St, Wan Chai; free. Dress code: black. Inquiries: 2520 2515
