[CORRECTION: The caption to the photo of Jerry Aseret on the linked PDF file incorrectly states that he plays tomorrow at Roxy Roots. He will spin at China White. The Taipei Times regrets the error.]
Underground club night Bass Kitchen launches in Taipei this weekend. Not to be mistaken with God’s Kitchen, Bass Kitchen is also a British brand, but its music is not even close to trance. The night, founded by the up-and-coming Taiwanese DJ MiniJay and two English mates, has resulted in a string of quality events in Bristol, England, since it exploded onto the British scene in October of last year. With MiniJay’s return to his hometown, Bass Kitchen will now take place in both cities. The Vinyl Word sat down with MiniJay to find out what’s cooking.
Vinyl Word: Tell us a little bit about yourself.
MiniJay: I’m 29 years old. I went to England four years ago to study computer science and digital music. I got my first DJ gig playing at a small outdoor festival organized by my friend DJ Chamber, and it turned out to be a real blast with overwhelming feedback. So after that, me, Chamber and another friend called Dr Fish started throwing parties together.
VW: What was Bass Kitchen like in the beginning? And what’s it like now?
M: Honestly, the night didn’t go off until after about 10 events. But we kept on promoting it and branding, doing stuff like putting up posters all over the place, making our logo T-shirts and hosting Bass Kitchen radio shows, and now we’re organizing DJ competitions. It really worked. Now we’ve got a decent size of followers and have been working with well-known clubs and DJs in the UK.
VW: What kind of music is Bass Kitchen all about?
M: Bass Kitchen doesn’t stick to only one genre, just like a kitchen would usually serve a variety of ingredients. Our music ranges from deep house and minimal techno to break-beat and drum ’n’ bass.
VW: How are you going to approach audiences here?
M: I noticed that the music people are playing at most clubs in Taiwan hasn’t changed much over the past four years, and people still hear the same anthems everywhere. That’s something I’d like to change. The music at Bass Kitchen will definitely be something most people here have never heard before. There are lots of outstanding but underrated local DJs out there so I’d like to begin to promote these talented artists and meanwhile infuse the party with creative elements I’ve learned in Europe. It’s going to be a long road, but I’m prepared.
Bass Kitchen, tomorrow from 11pm to 5am at China White, 2F, 97-101, Dunhua S Rd Sec 2, Taipei City (台北市敦化南路二段97-101號2樓). The lineup: studio wizard Jerry Aseret (aka Kotoswitch) will be serving up a techno set with his new singles and remixes (check out myspace.com/kotoswitch for a preview), with support from DJs NDU, MiniJay and DataBass. Admission is NT$350.
If IDM, minimal techno, dubstep, drum ’n’ bass, abstract hip-hop and trippy music float your boat, sail over to Roxy Roots tomorrow where KbN plays a live techno set and new IDM band Chill Da Dog makes an appearance before midnight. Afterwards, the 420 Project DJ crew — Either/Or, Charles, Shorty and @llenblow — takes over until 4:20am. Tomorrow from 10pm until 4:20am at Roxy Roots, 90 Songren Rd, Taipei City (台北市松仁路90號). Admission is free.
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