CHINESE NOISE VOICES FROM THE SCENE 005

TO-WA

The OG Sealander from the HKV Crew

01 Introduction

This article is part of Chinese Noise, a living archive exploring Chinese identity, underground music and cultural memory through 25 years of Hong Kong Violence.

For this edition, we sat down with To-Wa, the OG Sealander in the HKV crew and one of the people who was there when the whole Sealand story began.

What started as an inside joke between friends eventually grew into Sealand Recordings. Today, To-Wa runs the label and is still part of the extended HKV family.

Long before becoming part of the HKV story himself, he stood in front of the HKV Stage at Dominator, discovering the artists and sounds that would shape his own journey through hardcore.

On July 18, he returns to the HKV Stage at Dominator Festival 2026 alongside Senyai.

02 Finding HKV

Before hardcore, there was metal.

As a teenager, To-Wa grew up listening to heavier music and was already searching for intensity long before he discovered electronic music.

When jumpstyle exploded in popularity, he quickly found himself looking beyond the mainstream.

"I started looking for the harder and rougher side of electronic music, the kind of intensity I was already used to from metal."

Through older people in his area, he discovered artists such as Nevermind and Tense, before diving deeper into names like Fiend, Hellfish, The DJ Producer, Passenger of Shit, Drokz, Maladroid & Epsilon and fellow Sealand legends The Outside Agency.

One sound stood out immediately.

"That breakbeat-driven, uncompromising sound immediately clicked with me."

And with that, he found HKV.

03 My Favorite HKV Track

The Outside Agency – The Kid With The Golden Axe

For To-Wa, one track stands above all others.

"That track perfectly represents everything I love about the HKV sound."

The combination of breakbeats, atmosphere and aggression perfectly represents the side of hardcore that first drew him towards HKV.

There is one other track that deserves special recognition.

"To me, that track captures the essence of UK hardcore at its best and represents a sound that has inspired me for many years."

Fiend & Akira – London Iz Not

04 Back On The HKV Stage

This year, To-Wa returns to the HKV Stage at Dominator Festival.

This time, together with Senyai.

Interestingly, despite sharing the stage, the two have never performed together before.

"He's very much part of the next generation, while I see myself somewhere in the middle generation."

That contrast is exactly what makes the collaboration exciting.

"We're going to bring a really interesting mix of classic UK hardcore, early hardcore influences and our own styles."

Fans can expect a journey through different eras of hardcore.

"Expect a set that flows through different eras while keeping the energy high from start to finish."

05 Learning From The Generations Before

According to To-Wa, one of the biggest differences between generations is the way artists connect with their audience.

"The older generation built everything through dedication, events and word of mouth."

Today, social media has changed the landscape completely, giving younger artists more tools than ever before.

But what stands out to him most is the attitude.

"What I really admire about artists like Akira and Hellfish is that they continue to lead by example and remain approachable to younger artists."

For To-Wa, that's one of the reasons HKV has remained relevant for so long.

"The new generation brings fresh energy, and it's important that we keep that energy alive while learning from the experience of those who came before us."

For him, the future of hardcore isn't about choosing between old and new. It's about making sure both generations continue to push each other forward.

06 What HKV Means To Me

For more than a decade, To-Wa has been a familiar face at the HKV Stage at Dominator.

Over the years, that connection grew from being a fan in the crowd to becoming part of the crew itself.

"I've become closely involved with the crew over the years."

For him, HKV represents everything he loves about hardcore.

"It's breakbeat-driven, fast, rough and packed with influences from hip-hop and other underground genres."

More than anything, it feels like home.

"It perfectly fits the corner of hardcore that feels like home to me."

And having Akira at the forefront only strengthens that feeling.

"Having someone like Akira at the forefront as a role model for the scene only makes it even more special."

07 Favorite HKV Merch

For To-Wa, one item stands above the rest.

The Original HKV Logo T-Shirt

"I still own one of the original pink HKV logo T-shirts."

For him, it's more than just merchandise.

"It's a piece of history and one of my favourite items in my collection."

08 One Word

If he had to describe HKV using a single word?

UNMATCHED

09 A Message To HKV

Twenty-five years later, To-Wa believes the mission remains the same.

"Keep on keeping on. For both the old heads and the new generation."

For him, the future of hardcore is built through cooperation rather than competition.

"Let's keep creating, supporting each other and pushing things forward together."

"The more we work together, the better it is for everyone involved."

10 Follow The Project

Chinese Noise

This article is part of Chinese Noise — a growing archive of stories, memories and voices connected to Hong Kong Violence.

Chinese Noise is a collaboration between SinoHaven and HKV.

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11 TO-WA

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INSTAGRAM → @DJTO_WA

12 Follow The Project

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End of Archive Entry 005 • Status: Ongoing