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[THE VINYL WORD]

Viba’s looking for a few good musicians. PHOTO COURTESY OF MICHAEL EGAN

Viba is one of the most prominent electronica artists on the island who actually writes and performs his own music - but you could be forgiven for not knowing that, since major dance clubs and promoters in Taiwan rarely give people like him the opportunity to showcase their music.

Originally from England, the long-term Taipei resident boasts an extensive musical pedigree. He was in synth bands starting in the late 1980s and did a stint as a full-time DJ for a few years in the 1990s. Recently, Viba has been busy purveying everything from silky lounge music to electro disco-tinged house in clubs, pubs and at festivals, armed with drum machines and synthesizers that he controls with an array of high-tech devices.

"Originally, I saw a niche that being neither a band nor a DJ, I could exploit both kinds of venues and add a twist to each," he told the Vinyl Word. "In reality, I have discovered most partygoers categorize me as a DJ. No disrespect to DJs, but it was kind of frustrating to think that most people think I'm spinning other people's tunes since I put a great deal of effort composing and performing songs as 'live' as possible."

Viba's album East-West Relations, a fusion of Chinese instrumentation and electronic soundscapes (think real Buddha Bar music), was released on Bubble Bomb Records two years ago. Ocean Drive Records released a couple of his singles last year - most notably the very funky Mad Hatter. He's currently working on tracks for a new album, and is also hoping for more TV or soundtrack work after his tune Bar Wah Wah featured in a Belgian porn film called Wet His Appetite.

"I want to take the next album off in a new direction and I am looking to collaborate with some more musicians, especially a singer. I've been flirting with funky house for a while, but it's more than that - I've … got a bunch of songs with a folky feel - funky folktronica - if that makes any sense. I don't want to sound like I take myself too seriously though: I'm just a guy into music."

Bassists, singers and drummers "who are willing to play along with drum machines" can contact Viba through his MySpace page at www.myspace.com/vibamusic. Half a dozen of his tunes are available for a listen on the site.

Coming up this weekend: Liquid Moon. The three-day dance music outdoor gathering is being organized by Taiwan's most credible, longest-running party-production crew, 26D, and will be staged at Tongsiao's (通霄) beach, a white-sand stretch of coast in Miaoli County. Those of you who have been missing raves from back in the day should take advantage of this rare chance to experience those vibes again. The party starts today and runs through Sunday. For directions on how to get there by train or car, as well as other information in English and Chinese, go to tw.myblog.yahoo.com/liquidmoon-taiwan.


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