Down in the Taijungle tomorrow night the old and new of the house music scene hook up at Zoo for a night of intriguing and intimate partying.
On its fourth time around the block, Latex is returning to its revved-up sexuality for a steamy party, a month earlier than usual, brought forward after its last outing broke all ticket sale records for Zoo with 400-plus people in attendance for a night of electro war and porno love.
Headlining the event is the Godfather of electronic dance music in Taiwan, Victor Cheng, with young cat Kolette prowling around the outside area with her very own brand of electronic music. The Vinyl Word caught up with Kolette to find out more about her sound, electro-rock punk.
PHOTO COURTESY OF LATEX
Being half French means 20-year-old Kolette has spent much of her time there understanding une certaine idee of French house music. “France is now the most vibrant nu rave scene in the world,” Kolette said in an e-mail interview. “This means that the French dance music scene is arguably the most advanced and full of inspiration … led by Lauren Garnier’s Rex Club, the most exciting techno nightclub in the world.”
After soaking up the French scene Kolette has made big inroads in Taiwan with her own production/performances.
At the age of 18, she signed to one of Taiwan’s only underground indie electro music labels, Tripper, as its youngest member in 2006. “Tripper is perhaps the one and only label dedicated to underground dance music. I signed with them in 2006. The label owns a studio where I have been producing for years and the label manager asked me to join, based on my production, which matched their style of music.”
Although at the moment Kolette describes her sound as, “electro with touch of rock/punk,” she says her “sound will evolve.”
Matty D, six-year veteran of the Taiwan scene, promoter and DJ for Latex is more emphatic about her sound. “I am ecstatic to have Kolette playing,” he said. “I’ve had the pleasure of seeing her play once before and knew she would fit perfectly into Latex. Her techy electro beats with her smooth-as-silk voice and stunning looks make her a must-see.”
So what else can be seen at Latex? “Donkey porn,” says Matty D. Although joking, Latex does push the visual envelope. “Some classy, but full-on good East-meets-West porn that seems to fuel eroticism on the dance floor.”
As well as Kolette’s original electro show expect more of the same from the night’s other DJs. “The music has been electro from the start. It has always seemed like the slut of electronic music to me,” Matty D said. “It’s sexy and dirty and makes you move even if you don’t want to.”
As well as the aforementioned purveyors of music, attendees also get the pleasure to hear music from Kriz, Edify and Gareth Jones, who have been making waves in Taipei recently and scored 10 thumbs up at last week’s United Nations of Funk party at Plan B.
Alas, all good venues must come to an end. The Vinyl Word has learned Plan B closed down. A new partner dropped out before contracts were signed and the club’s tenancy agreement ran out on April 15th. The landlord has pulled the plug and will not allow any more parties.
“It was completely unexpected and I want to say sorry to everyone that I couldn’t have a … bye-bye party,” manager Brian Huang said. “Thank you to everyone for coming who made Plan B the success it was.”
Latex at Zoo, 68 Daguan St, Taichung City (台中市南屯區大觀路68號). Tomorrow from 10pm to 6am. Entrance is NT$349 before 12am with one drink and NT$399 after 12am, also with one drink. For more information call (04) 2386-1840. For more information on Kolette visit www.myspace.com/kolettekolettekolette.
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