Behind the alias is Huang Shao Yong, founder of Dark Paradise Records and a sonic alchemist who’s been pushing boundaries across Asia’s underground scenes. From layering chopped pig oinks with gamelan loops in a Hong Kong hotel room, to fusing balafon textures with deep rhythmic tension, Oberka’s process is as unpredictable as the sound itself; volatile, immersive, and unrelentingly forward-thinking.
So with the new album available to stream now, we sat down with Oberka to talk about his obsession with sonic deconstruction, and what it means to make music that’s both cryptic and cathartic in an ever-shifting world.
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What was the first instrument you fell in love with?
I started learning piano when I was six and picked up the violin in middle school. But the first instrument I truly fell in love with was the electric bass, which I began playing in college.
What kind of music did you love when you were younger?
I was really into rock bands like Red Hot Chili Peppers, Rage Against the Machine, and Incubus.
What was the first album you remember owning?
It was probably a Mandarin pop album… or maybe even a comedy crosstalk recording. I can’t quite remember which came first.
Do you have any habits or rituals you go through when trying to write new music?
I try to avoid using techniques or workflows I’m already familiar with. Instead, I’ll explore new instruments or tools—hardware or software—to create something I’ve never heard or imagined before. When I’m working on my own albums, I also avoid listening to other music entirely, just to keep outside influences to a minimum.
Who are your favourite artists you have found yourself listening to at the moment?
Fred Again.. has been on repeat lately.
If you could open a show for anyone in the world, who would it be?
Jamie xx or Red Hot Chili Peppers.
What do you find is the most rewarding part about being a musician?
The people I’ve met. Music has introduced me to some of the most fascinating individuals, and it’s taken me to places and experiences I never imagined.
And what is the most frustrating part?
The work is never truly done.
And what is the best piece of advice you have received as a musician?
One of the best pieces of advice I’ve heard is: “You can’t really train a great creator or producer—most of them emerge naturally. If you want to nurture good producers, the best way is to give them unlimited freedom with zero preconditions. That’s how breakthroughs happen.”
Also, I love this quote from Deadmau5: “90% of my time is just goofing around, trying to come up with something.”
It reminds me not to take the process too seriously.
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Oberka's new album 'Regrow Protocol' is out now. Check it out in the player below.