For Katsu, being a DJ is simply bliss

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For Katrina Razon, being a DJ means having “the responsibility to create moments of collective euphoria”. She was always surrounded by music. Razon, popularly known as Katsu, started playing music for crowds at 16.

“Throughout my childhood, my mum played music. She would take my brother and me to Tower Records in San Francisco, where we would listen to different types of music and walk away with a handful of CDs,” says Razon. “I remember vividly when my mum first played Depeche Mode’s Enjoy the Silence in the backseat of the car; I was eight years old, and it was my first meaningful connection to music.”

Razon’s understanding of art became more apparent as the years passed. The Wonderfruit festival producer sees music in a different light. “Music is the freedom that relentlessly exists and magic that transcends through time,” she says.

Above Courtesy of Katrina 'Katsu' Razon

She explores different genres of music to keep the crowd guessing. She recently played an extended seven-hour set at Futurist. “The crowd were warm and receptive, and I could feel that they trusted me. Everyone was getting lost in the music—an experience that reminds me why I love what I do,” beams Razon. This year, she will be performing across the region apart from producing Wonderfruit and UNKNWN.

But one of her favourite performances of all time dates to the first UNKNWN event in Intramuros in 2022, two years after the pandemic hit. “The great energy from the community in a stunning outdoor location was priceless. Everyone was eager to finally get out in the open and connect after the isolation. A memory I will hold close to my heart forever,” she says.

Additionally, Razon shares that she’s maximizing the opportunity to connect with people not just with music, but also through yoga. “Connection is our currency,” Katsu concludes.