STORE MIX 110: DJ BILLYBOOL

A multifaceted artist, producer, and clothing designer, DJ Billybool (also known as Thaiboy Digital) emerges as a force in contemporary music. With roots in Bangkok, northern Thailand, and the cultural hubs of Stockholm, his upbringing across diverse global landscapes informs both his art and identity. Fluent in four languages, Billybool's unique position in the world allows him to navigate and transcend genres with ease. From the raw intensity of the 808s to the euphoric energy of Basshunter-style rave anthems, his work reflects a rare versatility, effortlessly blending toughness with vulnerability in a manner few artists can.

As part of his ongoing artistic evolution, Billybool presents his bespoke store mix for LN-CC’s 110th instalment, in partnership with Marshall to celebrate the new limited edition Emberton III for Lunar New Year, Woodsnake. This is a meticulously curated sonic journey that reflects his eclectic musical vision. Sit back and immerse yourself in atmospheric beats, while gaining deeper insight into his creative journey, influences, and the transition from rapper to DJ, and more.

Billybool, can you tell us about the music that influenced you growing up? How did those early sounds shape your unique style today?

Music was an everyday thing from a young age; our family would always be playing some kind of music. I didn’t think much about it until I was 12–13 years old and we had moved to Sweden. There were MTV and iPods back in the day. People were showing what songs they had downloaded and what they were listening to. For me, I played lots of video games, so I would just play music nonstop for 10 hrs straight while gaming. It could be anything from rock to hip-hop to electronic music. I think maybe, in the back of my mind, I just kept collecting these sounds and melodies but still not thinking much of them, until I started making music later, at around the age of 15 but that’s for my rap music.

When I DJ Billybool, it's because of Basshunter, Tony Igy and Tiesto's work that helped me shape the sound of DJ Billybool. I also started from the day I saw my daughter's heart rate for the first time at 138 bpm, and since that day, I have been making these DJ Billybool songs. So, it's not just music alone that got me started on this project.

You’ve built a strong reputation under your artist name Thaiboy Digital, but now you’re also performing as DJ Billybool. Can you tell us about the transition from rapper to DJ, and in what ways have you seen your sound and vision transform over time?

As I mentioned previously, it was my daughter's heart rate that first triggered me to start this DJ project. I was handling a lot of overwhelming feelings and, sadly, at the same time, also dealing with the loss of one of my friends who introduced me to a lot of music growing up—he was the pioneer tastemaker way back.

So, I couldn’t put anything into words. Playing the keys in the early songs, I would dedicate the uplifting notes and melodies to my firstborn daughter, and the sorrowful sounds and melodies to my friend who passed away. At first, I only created instrumentals. I knew my friend loved techno a lot, but I didn’t really know much about techno, so I drew inspiration from Basshunter and Tony Igy for the DJ Billybool sounds.

The sound transformed as I made more songs. I think, since I’d never produced music before, the process grew on me a lot. In the end, I added vocals, and I knew that was the final key for these songs. My daughter likes these songs a lot, and I know I wanted to make my friend proud as well.

What does your creative process look like when preparing a mix? How do you balance spontaneity with structure in your performances?

I do have a sort of plan before starting, but as you dig and find more songs, each song sparks another level, and then you’re in a rabbit hole—lost in the sauce for a while. After all the chaos, order is restored, and that’s when I start doing the Billy Magik.

Lunar New Year is a big moment in the Eastern part of the world but also globally. What is your emotional connection to the celebration?

My brother-in-law, whose Thai-Chinese family honours the tradition, shared their customs with me. The celebration begins with 'Buying Day,' when the family gathers to purchase flowers and food, all dressed in red. On 'Merit Day,' they pay tribute to their ancestors, placing the flowers they've prepared as offerings and lighting fireworks for good fortune. It's also the day when the elders in the family present Ang Pao (red envelopes) to the younger members, often containing money, symbolising the belief that generosity brings prosperity. Finally, 'Travel Day' is when the entire family embarks on a trip or vacation to mark the occasion.

...So this mix is packed with mostly all the legendary trance, dance, and breakbeat DJs from the '00s onwards. Those who know will know, and if you lived and enjoyed these songs in the past, that's my Lunar New Year gift to you!

DJ Billybool represents a new dimension of your artistic expression. Lunar New Year is a celebration of culture, family, and heritage. How do those themes influence your performances, and how can the celebration of Lunar New Year be seen through the lens of your DJ sets?

This mix is packed with legendary DJ remixes, most of them from Asia, but the original songs are typically from the West, so we get the best of both worlds. If uniting is what it’s all about, this might be one of those bridges.

You’ve always managed to fuse your cultural roots with cutting-edge sounds. How has this evolved in your artist journey?

Well, I never thought I would produce DJ Billybool songs, and I’m barely at the beginning. I think we evolve all the time but expressing all of that through music is the hard part for me—though it’s also the most fun when it’s done right. I never do anything the same way, although I do like to play the same keys, you know.

Lunar New Year often symbolises personal reflection and transformation. How does the holiday influence the music you’re creating now?

In my family, we embrace the Chinese zodiac, the Western zodiac, and astrology. Every Lunar New Year, someone reads the Chinese zodiac to offer us insights into what the year might hold, helping us prepare for whatever lies ahead, good or bad. Of course, belief in these traditions is a personal choice, but for me, they provide comfort. They help me find meaning in life’s unreasonable hardships, reminding me that there’s light at the end of the tunnel. Similarly, they offer perspective on unexpected blessings, keeping me humble and aware that nothing lasts forever, encouraging me to make the most of the good times while they last.

I think I just try to pay my respects to the ones before me. One of the reasons I started DJ Billybool was also because I listened to all the Tony Igy and Basshunter songs and craved more of that style. In making this mix, I’ve found hundreds and thousands more in those styles, so my vault is packed, and I’m ready for 2025.

POV: You've just been handed the AUX cable. What would be the first song you'd play?

I’d play Nino Lifestyle Mix by DJ Billybool.