Born in India but raised in Indonesia, Dita Putri Widyanti has been a vibrant fixture in Asia’s thriving electronic music scene for a decade now. From her exploits in Jakarta’s underground with Interrupted Collective and Perky Club, to her high-profile international showcases at Boiler Room, Wonderfruit, Rainbow Disco Club, Dekmatel and Berghain’s Panorama Bar (just to name a few), Dita’s effervescent sound has made her floor-favourite far and wide.
But in between all that, Dita’s sonic footprints are most visible in her current home on the island of Bali. There, she’s been a resident at Potato Head Beach Club since 2019, whe she now also serves at the hotspot’s Music & Community Operations Manager. More recently, she was handpicked by the legendary DJ Harvey in early 2024 to front the local roster at their impressive new subterranean nightclub Klymax Discotheque.
We caught up with Dita to get an insider’s guide to what Bali’s music scene, community and nightlife is really like.
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Hi Dita! Take us back to your beginnings as a DJ. When and how did you start?
Hey! Oh boy, I started DJing back in Bandung in 2014 while I was at university. It all began when I went to this amazing party called Push Pull at Maja House. I saw what is still, to this day, one of the best sets by Bandung’s finest–now Melbourne-based DJ, Bayu. I was so inspired by his eclectic style and punk attitude towards dancing music.
After that night, I started digging deeper into electronic music. I was already listening religiously to Sleepy Sun, Black Mountain Leaf, and more in the psychedelic rock world, but then I slowly got into acid house, electro, and EBM. I pushed myself to learn the art of DJing I guess. I loved it! But at the time, not many venues accepted the kind of sound I was trying to push, so I was shy about putting myself out there.
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In 2017, I decided to move to Jakarta, and I guess that’s when I started taking it seriously, Jakarta had more opportunities for upcoming DJs at the time. I started playing at small pubs and bars, and eventually at clubs with proper sound systems and equipment. That’s when I really began to understand different scenes, explore gigs, and most importantly, stay true to my sound when digging. During that time, I met the Interrupted Collective - now Perky Club - founded by people from different musical backgrounds, mostly from Jakarta’s underground scene, which was rapidly growing in the pre-pandemic years. Everyone was super supportive of each other, helping craft unique sounds. The sincere fun and creativity kept us going.
Then I moved to Bali in 2019, and that’s where the Bali magic happened!
How have you grown as a DJ since then?
I’ve come to understand that each place I've lived has taught me the importance of musical roots from its own modern era. That’s really shaped me musically. I’d never box myself into a certain sound or label, I’ll always believe in “feel-good” music, and being edutaining. Educating and entertaining at the same time!
You’ve been touring a bunch lately. What’s been the best overseas gig you’ve played in 2024?
I've been lucky to tour the most this year, and I’m so thankful for that. The year kicked off with Melbourne at the Sun Cycle Festival, where I toured with the lovely Lipelis. Then, I toured much of Asia with my extended family at Rainbow Disco Club’s 15th anniversary in Korea and Vietnam.
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The recent Europe tour was incredible too - playing at Panorama Bar in Berghain was an insane experience! But If I had to pick one show from this year, it would be Dekmantel’s 10th anniversary. Finally getting there and playing b2b with the beautiful Kamma at the Connects Stage on the closing day was pure magic. That 120 minutes were filled with hugs, love, tears, and just nonstop disbelief. The connection between the Netherlands and Indonesia has always been a bit complicated, so it was beautiful to see how music can truly bring us together.
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You’ve been with Potato Head Bali since 2019. What have the past 5 years as a resident there been like?
It’s been an amazing journey. Being able to share music from late afternoons through those mesmerising sunsets and into the fun after-dark moments has been incredible. I love reading the room, feeling the energy, and delivering good times through sound.
For me, knowing that people are dancing to my music is such a rewarding feeling. It keeps me motivated and excited to keep going. It’s all about that sense of release and leading the emotions on the dancefloor – I just love it!
How do you approach your role as Potato Head’s Music & Community Operations Manager?
It is scary and exciting at the same time, I am trying to keep things fresh while being mindful of the space we’ve built. For me, it’s all about inclusivity when it comes to bookings. I want to showcase a wide variety of sounds and artists, but it’s important that each set feels right for the crowd and the venue. It has to fit the moment, not just the music.
A big part of what I do is creating opportunities for local DJs to shine. There’s so much talent here in Indonesia, and it’s amazing being able to give these artists a platform. At the same time, I love making room for international talent to come through - it’s always inspiring when they connect and exchange ideas with local DJs. It keeps the energy alive and pushes the scene forward.
In the end, it’s about building a community where everyone feels welcome, and the music speaks for itself.
What would you say is the biggest misconception outsiders have about Bali’s music scene?
People often think the music here is all about catering to tourism with the usual commercial stuff - big beach clubs playing top 40 hits. But in reality, every community and collective around Bali has its own unique take on dance music and is more inclusive than ever. There’s an incredible variety of sounds, from hip-hop, house, disco, and hyper pop to deconstructed club music, all of which deserve the same recognition. It’s what makes Bali’s music culture so vibrant.
Who are the Balinese musicians, producers or DJs that our readers should be checking out?
Bali has a rich traditional heritage that’s reflected in some really unique sounds. For something more traditional, definitely check out the legendary Dewa Alit & Gamelan Salukat. If you’re more into psych rock with a contemporary approach, blending gamelan, free jazz, and electronic noise, Gangsar is a must-listen, I’m a huge fan!
On the contemporary dance music side, there are some incredible Indonesian DJs and producers pushing boundaries. Names like Dea, Munir, Bagvs, Raissa and Jonathan Kusuma don’t need much introduction - they are already making waves locally and internationally with their unique takes on electronic music. And for experimental sounds I would definitely recommend Kuntari, a duo from Bandung inspired by tribal rhythms and dark ambient synths.
There are so many more artists killing it in the scene, I would need 3 pages to mention them all! But these are definitely great starting points to explore not only Bali but Indonesia’s evolving soundscape.
You were hand-picked by DJ Harvey to be a resident at the newly opened Klymax Discotheque. How did that come about?
Being a resident at Potato Head was a key stepping stone for me to be considered for the Klymax residency, and I’m incredibly grateful for that opportunity.
DJ Harvey is a legend in the scene, and it feels like a privilege to be able to play at one of the best clubs in the world almost every week. It’s a dream come true, and I’m just putting in the hard work to make the most of it!
In your opinion, what makes Klymax special?
I guess because I'm young and didn’t get to experience the golden age of Studio 54 or Paradise Garage, I’m really grateful to get a sense of what it was like back then. The sound, the space, the music direction, and the elevated booth – which I love the most! I’m just dancing in any direction and not towards the DJ, and the sound feels great everywhere. And when I’m up in the booth, sharing my journey through music, seeing people having a great time without phones in their hands, it’s clear they’re there for the club and that amazing sound experience.
What does Potato Head and Klymax have in store for the rest of the year?
We’ve got a lot lined up for the rest of the year! For Klymax, I’m especially excited about the regional and local DJs that will be coming up in the next few weeks. We have Xiaolin and Sam Futura from 宀 Hong Kong, DJ Masda, and Hiroko Yamamura and The Perky Club crew Kevin T, Marjylin, Simion & Bing Luther in November, and we have an all nighter welcoming back Gero from his recent EU tour in December! For the beach club, we have Ross From Friends presents Bubble Love (DJ set) in November.
We’ve also got an exciting festive season ahead, with Jamie xx on the 28 December. We’ll be ending 2024 with Overmono, the beautiful Carista (she absolutely killed her Dekmantel closing set this year!), and our great friend Baba Stiltz, along with our incredible residents Marvel, Imen and Gero. And to top it off, DJ Harvey will be back in Bali for his legendary NYE set at Klymax. There’s so much more coming in 2025, so stay tuned!
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Finally, do you still produce music? Do you have anything in the pipeline on that front?
This will be for 2025!
Dita returns to Singapore for Ice Cream Sundays presents: Dita & Gero on 16 November at Haw Par Villa, Culture Courtyard. Purchase tickets here.
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