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[VINYL WORD]

Briton Simon Watkin, left, and Costa Rican Esteban Carballo. PHOTO: COURTESY OF UNF

Formed by Briton Simon Watkin and Costa Rican Esteban Carballo in October 2005, the United Nations of Funk (UNF) has established a groovy and loyal fan base by specializing in intimate parties with quality house music. Tomorrow night, UNF is throwing Open House at Plan B featuring Space Ibiza resident Tony Haze on his first Asian gig.

In an interview with the Vinyl Word, Carballo explained that UNF's goal is to fulfill the needs of the Taipei party scene with more than "old over-played house and people just out to be seen."

Open House is "fun and quality music is key," said Watkin, who comes from the gray and rainy English port town of Hull. "Our music has no pretensions. We keep it funky for the crowd and not for the DJs' egos. The booth is up close and personal with the dance floor, so much-needed interaction can take place with the DJ ... . There are no cliques and everyone brings something to the scene."

With the last Open House party filled to capacity, the signs are good that this one will provide more of the same with Haze manning the decks. The Space resident has been playing in Ibiza for the past few years with the big boys - Groove Armada, Miss Kitten and Steve Lawler - at world famous venues Plastik, Kanya and Eden.

"I am really excited about coming over and witnessing how a different culture reacts to my interpretation of house," Haze said in an e-mail exchange. "I've heard from many of my friends who have played in Asia that the crowds seem to have that little bit more enthusiasm and energy for the scene, and that is all I need to know."

On house music's evolution, Glasgow-born Haze said: "Right now, the tendency seems to be on the deeper, darker edge of things with a lot of press [focusing] on the stuff coming out of France from Ed Bangers or Digitalism from Germany ... . All it takes is a few big tunes from an evolved genre and the whole thing will shift again. I just know I'll be there when it does."

For his set, which runs from 1am to 5am, Haze will play "electronic disco, ranging from up-front electro house to deep techno and random rock tunes."

"I try to get a feel for what a crowd is liking early on and give them what they want," he said. "I'm not here to take people on a journey or educate them. I'm here to party with them."

"This is the next step for the UNF," said Carballo. "It is great for the company to bring over our first international DJ and an even better opportunity for the people … in Taiwan to access the highest quality house music from the number one house music venue in the world, Ibiza."

UNF resident Schism, will warm up the crowd from 10pm till 1am with his own eclectic brand of dirty electro funk.

Admission for Open House is NT$600 and includes a drink. Plan B is located at 29-1, Anhe Rd Sec 1, Taipei City (台北市安和路一段29號之1).

Send an e-mail to unitednationsoffunk@gmail.com to be included on UNF's mailing list.
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