After just shy of eight years in Taiwan, five of which he’s spent deejaying, vDub, aka Shawn Kidd, is flying the coop and moving to Vancouver to join his girlfriend while she attends culinary school. But it’s au revoir and not adieu as he is keeping his options open, with a return on the horizon.
He plays at AQUAhooligan tonight, alongside some of the UK’s finest.
“First of all we’ve got Genesis Elijah, he’s the MC for Atomic Hooligan, so it’ll be interesting because he’s gonna perform some of his new tracks, and then we’ll have a good mix of Atomic and a little bit of hip-hop, a little bit of break beat,” Kidd said in an interview on Wednesday evening. “I think he’s gonna play a pretty good mash-up of all the stuff he’s done over the past few years. And then Aquasky.”
Though the full Aquasky outfit isn’t coming (only Kieron Bailey), the lineup is strong. Genesis Elijah, dubbed “UK hip-hop’s saving grace” by one effusive reporter, has worked with the likes of Skinnyman, Kyza, Skriblah and Sway, while Breakspoll International Breakbeat Award-winning DJ/producer duo Atomic Hooligan, comprising Terry Ryan and Matt Welch, have honed a reputation as consummate purveyors of electro, drum ’n’ bass and break beats.
Taiwan veteran Marcus Aurelius is scheduled to play from 11pm to 12:30am, and vDub has the closing set.
“Originally I played a little bit of progressive, then got into break beats — then mixed it up with 80s indie electronica,” Kidd said. “I got into a little bit more electro grunge stuff ... I kind of split in half: I either do straight-up breaks and nu rave breaks, or I’ll do electro, but really grungy stuff.”
Spiked and Perpetual Motion present AQUAhooligan, tonight from 11pm to 6am at Legacy Taipei, located at Huashan 1914 Creative Park (華山1914), Center Five Hall (中五館), 1, Bade Rd Sec 1, Taipei City (台北市八德路一段1號).
Admission is NT$1,200 at the door, NT$1,000 with a flyer or NT$800 with a discount voucher that Kidd said would be available at Alleycat’s Pizza’s Huashan branch. NT$1,000 tickets can be purchased through 7-Eleven ibon and FamilyMart (全家) FamiPort kiosks.
Aquasky, Atomic Hooligan and MC Genesis play in Tainan tomorrow at a warehouse party beside Tin Pan Alley restaurant. Tomorrow from 8pm to 8am at 15, Beimen Rd Sec 2, Tainan City (台南市東區北門路二段15號). Admission is NT$600 at the door. Local DJs on the bill include vDub, Naked, Subtle, Edify and Freaky Squeaker.
On the Net: www.atomichooligan.com, www.aquasky.co.uk and www.genesiselijah.com
And now, a job advertisement, one of the prerequisites for which is unconventional.
There is an exciting opportunity to contribute to the Taipei Times’ Vinyl Word column.
If you’re keen on sharing your experience, knowledge of music and thoughts, we want to hear from you.
You don’t need to be a Carl Bernstein or Helen Thomas, but an open-minded wordsmith who is passionate about music — and parties like there’s no tomorrow.
To apply, send a resume, cover letter and four ideas for Vinyl Word columns to features@taipeitimes.com. Training will be provided. Only short-listed applicants will be invited for an interview.
Applicants must hold a valid work permit in order to receive freelance payment.
The Taipei Times is an equal opportunities employer. However, party poopers need not apply.
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