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The Vinyl Word

Taiwan's Kotoswitch is hot property. photo: courtesy of queen bee

If you haven't heard of Kotoswitch, be sure to take note: he's the next big thing. What's the big deal? Kotoswitch's collaboration with Miami's renowned veteran DJ/producer Thomas Penton, whose productions have been supported by progressive house heavyweights such as Sasha, John Digweed, Dave Seaman and Paul Oakenfold, is due out this month. Moreover, the release is attracting attention from some high-profile DJs because it's on Penton's critically acclaimed Electric Candy Recording label.

Kotoswitch is the moniker of Taiwan's 25-year-old Jerry Chuang (莊家竣). During his college years in Japan, Kotoswitch started deejaying and producing. But how did he manage to hook up with the legendary DJ who brought dance music to South Florida?

"I used to collect records by Thomas Penton; he's always been one of my favorite producers," Kotoswitch said. "And as I was getting more into the production side, I wrote to him and asked if I could buy some of his samples and sounds ... . Turned out Penton was incredibly friendly and he was coming to deejay in Taipei soon after that."

Kotoswitch got to hang out with his producer role model in the studio when he visited Taiwan (to play for MoS) last year, while Penton discovered an outstanding Taiwanese talent to work with.

Self-described as a very persistent music lover, Kotoswitch spends a lot of time creating music in his studio rather than socializing to get gigs. Kotoswitch shows all the acumen necessary to continue to deliver quality music internationally, as well as break the cliquey local DJ scene.

To listen to Kotoswitch's work, log on to www.myspace.com/kotoswitch

Partygoers' eyebrows were raised twice this week. Firstly, because Spunite Production's Masago outdoor party in Tainan was canceled. Being royally screwed over by bureaucracy (officials who had promised to pitch in backed out of the deal at the last minute), left Spunite no choice but to cancel the event that was going to take place tomorrow. Secondly, the event organizer Cube canceled DJs, whom they had booked and confirmed months ago, a week before the event without any compensation. The organizers' rationale? "Our ticket-presales are not doing well so we're just doing what we have to do," said the head manager at Cube.

On the house music scene in Taipei, the heads are going to be pampered this fall. They've been enjoying the deep house weekly Bump at Naomi hosted by Sona and Saucey on Saturdays. And at Plan B this Saturday, the United Nations of Funk crew is back with its latest monthly event called Open House, which boasts all-night-long house music in an intimate setting. Eben Ezee from South Africa, Schism, Saucey and David S will be serving up the funk. Entrance is NT$400 from 10pm to 5am. The club is located at 29-1, Anhe Rd Sec 1, Taipei (台北市安和路一段29-1號). Call (02) 2775-5855. - queen bee
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