Essential music for a romantic summer, the free-spirited trio jam band CADEJO has come to Mangrove Sinseol. Enjoy their lively performance and mini-interview from a corner of the room on the 19th floor.

Formed in 2018, with two full-length albums, CADEJO showcased their solid skills by winning Vans Musicians Wanted Korea 2019 and being nominated for Best R&B/Soul Album at the 2021 Korean Music Awards. Regardless of their impressive accolades, their greatest charm is their ever-changing, free-flowing music and vibe.

The live performance was set in Stay 1904, an edition room by KUA, the furniture and interior design partner of Mangrove Sinseol. KUA is a team consisting of artist Kwangho Lee (KLO), spatial design studio UOR, and ARR. This space will be open for anyone to stay from just a day starting in August.

Q. It seems like this is your first time seeing CADEJO's live performance in Sinseol-dong. Have you been to this area before?

Da-bin: I came to visit and had a chance to explore the Folk Market, which was so much fun. They have everything, and it's filled with old treasures.

Jae-ho: It's my first time visiting here.

Tae-hoon: I came to deal with a guitar once, but it didn't work out. The stuff wasn't great. (laughs)

Q. When and where did you three go independent? Have you ever lived with someone else?

Da-bin: I started living alone at twenty while attending university, and I've been on my own ever since. I'm still having a great time.

Tae-hoon: Da-bin lives very well-organized. His place feels like an old house but not like a typical home for someone in their 20s. I tried living alone during college too, but it was a mess. Earlier, at the exhibition space themed music room (Room 720), seeing LPs on the floor and scattered picks reminded me of those days.

Jae-ho: I also lived independently during college, but it wasn't a great experience. I often ruined the floor, ate poorly, practiced late, and mostly just slept in that space.

Q. After exploring Mangrove Sinseol, how was your impression?

Jae-ho: Honestly, it was a cultural shock. If I could go back to my 20s, I'd definitely want to live in a place like this.

Da-bin: After touring, I found that they really have everything. You can hit the gym or watch a movie just by taking the elevator. It's well-equipped compared to a studio and has a relaxed atmosphere, making me think residents would love this space.

Tae-hoon: It's possible to live here short-term. Spending a month here could be refreshing and comfortable.

Q. CADEJO's music gives us the strength to endure the summer. How are you three spending this summer?

Jae-ho: We all love the sea. I started surfing two months ago and try to go at least once a week. It's been incredibly joyful.

Da-bin: I tried surfing during our performance in Yangyang last week, and it turns out I like it. Experiencing waves for the first time made me feel like I'll spend every summer chasing bigger waves.

Tae-hoon: We're supposed to focus on music, but they're obsessed with the sea. (laughs) But I'm no different, so I can't complain. I've heard that Mangrove is planning something in Yangyang, and I hope it works out so we can collaborate. Summer fighting!

Q. Please introduce the songs you performed live today. 

Tae-hoon: "Cyber Holiday" is about the longing of employees who want to take a vacation but can't. It's a song meant to give a vacation feeling, even if just through the internet or while listening to music.

Da-bin: The song "Summer Vacation" has a reggae rhythm and seems to be played frequently in the summer. It's often heard at the beach, and we hope that by continuing to meet CADEJO in the summer, we can help you have a refreshing vacation.

Tae-hoon: Creating "Summer Vacation" led to us becoming perceived as a summer band, allowing us to continue in the direction we wanted.

Jae-ho: "Us" is the title track from our first album released two years ago and perfectly encapsulates CADEJO's style. It's a favorite among many, and these days, listeners even sing along, which we're very grateful for. Another song, "Dapsimni," might seem like a typical track when working or recording, but it surprisingly receives many requests during performances. We feel a surge of energy as we play, and it's a simple yet quintessential CADEJO instrumental piece.

Tae-hoon: There's a makguksu place called 'Seongcheon Makguksu' in Dapsimni that's so delicious I kept visiting the area. But visiting Dapsimni at night feels nothing like Seoul, with an air of potential incidents, which matched the vibe of the song, hence the name Dapsimni. Seongcheon Makguksu!

Da-bin: Tae-hoon seems to know all the makguksu places. When we have a local gig, before setting the setlist, we always pick the makguksu place first. It's great.

Q. What activities do you usually engage in during your leisure time at home?

Tae-hoon: I'm catching up with the NBA finals these days. I watch baseball games by Ryu Hyun-jin and Kim Kwang-hyun in the morning, play guitar, and do some cleaning. (laughs)

Da-bin: When alone, I spend a lot of time listening to music. I want to buy more LPs, but I bought so many last year that I'm holding back this year. I plan to buy some at year-end, increasing my music listening time.

Jae-ho: I mainly watch surfing videos. I drink a lot too and listen to music. Yes.

Q. Could you recommend music you often listen to at home for a relaxing mood?

Da-bin: I listen to Antonio Carlos Jobim's albums the most. I recommend the [Stone Flower] album.

Tae-hoon: I was going to suggest Joao Gilberto, but since you mentioned Jobim, I'll pick something else. I'll go with Toquinho. He's a Brazilian guitarist, his music is vibrant and rhythmic—a mix of Brazilian and traditional sounds. Pairing them together would be great.

Jae-ho: Recently, I was thrilled to buy a reissue of Kim Jeong Mi's [NOW] on vinyl. I've been listening to it frequently, and all the songs are great, especially "Baram," which feels like the wind blowing indoors. It's truly wonderful.

Q. After lively activities like [FREESUMMER], [FREEBODY], are there any upcoming plans?

During the pandemic, we couldn't perform much, so we pondered interesting projects and ended up filming a short movie at the beginning of this year. It's not public yet, but instead of making music for the film, the music prompted us to create videos fitting it. Those tracks should be out soon. Our eternal mentor, DJ Soulscape, has agreed to produce, so we're very excited.

Q. How was today's live recording?

Jae-ho: As mentioned earlier, the space felt fresh. The interior design is neat and sensory, far from feeling cramped or uncomfortable. If reborn, I'd love to live here.

Da-bin: The furniture and colors were pleasing. Not everything was white; there was plenty of wood. It felt like a cozy park. What might seem a small space creates a relaxed atmosphere through the furniture.

Tae-hoon: In international festivals, I've seen performances in such spaces, and it had that vibe. Playing with softer sound made it easier to concentrate, creating a sense of being part of an exhibition. Performing in the room while people come and go could be a fun project. The Mangrove team was attentive, making it an engaging performance.

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Written by | Jun-woo Park

Video | Bite.