Flaunting a specialty in fluidity, Daryl Knows is a bridger of genres sourced from amorous soul cuts and spry jittery electro, to frisky disco rarities and his uplifting house jaunts. It’s this roaming versatility that’s made the veteran figure an oft-booked performer for some of the region’s biggest festivals, such as Bestival Bali, Sunda Festival, Garden Beats and ZoukOut.

Daryl’s gig portfolio in the local bar and club circuit is compatibly expansive, filled by his duties as a resident of Offtrack, Rasa, Headquarters and Singaporean international record label, Darker Than Wax. A key member since 2016, Daryl’s been instrumental in orchestrating some of the scene’s most beloved events on behalf of Darker Than Wax, including renowned courtyard bash, BREW, alongside the region-drawing Haw Par Thrilla spectacle with +65 promoters, Ice Cream Sundays. As a deeply-embedded advocate of electronic music within the community, Daryl has also participated in historical gigs that made national headlines, spanning the pandemic-combatting #SaveMusicSG campaign and The Last Mile which bid farewell to cultural and architectural icon, Golden Mile Complex.

The seasoned tastemaker’s milestones and prospects, meanwhile, stretch beyond the Lion City. Daryl’s performance accolades have seen him support the international likes of Peggy Guo, Sasha, Gerd Janson, Lauer, DJ Boring, Jackmaster, Demuja, Lars Vegas (Dam Swindle), Dan Shake, Frits Wentink, Young Marco, Kornel Kovacs, Luca Lozano, Christopher Rau, Hidden Spheres and Max Graef to name a few. His career wholly embraces his love of sharing sounds to audiences from all walks of life, and this has been apparent in his international appearances in London (4tothefloor), Tokyo (Mitsuki, Solfa Nakameguro), Mumbai (Soho House), Bali (Klymax, Potatohead), Ho Chi Minh (The Obsevatory), Bangkok (Beam Cube, Tropic City), Taipei (Rabbit Hole), Jakarta (Pantja, Brightspot) and Kuala Lumpur (Good Vibes). Daryl Knows is a true Singaporean soul with global appeal, and it shows every time he hits the decks.

“I think I’ve matured a lot as a DJ after the pandemic,” says Daryl. Citing his myriad ongoing commitments in the scene as inspiration, he is now broadening his perspective and embracing the opportunity to listen, dig, and play music that he genuinely feels for. Even after all these years, it’s this tenacious drive to nourish this passion that spurs him on in his relentless DJ pursuits – no matter where in the world they take him.

“I always like to have a conversation that flows between me and the audience,” he wraps up. And that is a dialogue that Daryl Knows best.

Sometimes things don't work out, but at least we keep trying.

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