Though not as active on the dance music scene as he once was, newbie dad Xuan (劉軒, aka SL and Shiuan Liu) is still one of the most sought-after DJs in Taiwan. Known to many as the son of best-selling writer Liu Yung (劉墉), Xuan wears many a hat: musician, writer, broadcaster and lecturer. In the minds of many old-school heads, however, Xuan is Taiwan’s “king of house” and best known for his deep soulful sessions at Citrus — the underground house parties that he and Saucey launched. Earlier this week Vinyl Word caught up with Xuan.
Vinyl Word: What’s new?
Xuan: Last week I set up an education division in my family’s publishing business, gave a lecture to 1,000 high school kids in Taichung, and deejayed at the soft opening for the new club Tryst in Taipei. This week I’ll be working hard to finish my book, writing my column for United Daily News, hosting an MTV special and deejaying tomorrow at Dreams Club in Kaohsiung.
Photo courtesy of David Barker
VW: What’s your new book about?
X: It will be a collection of essays anchored by a few letters to special people (or non-people). Similar to my last book, the subjects will be split between music, city life, travel and family. We aim to have it out by February, which means I gotta have it done by mid-December.
VW: What’s happened to the house music scene?
X: You’ve still got your big raves, you’ve still got your “electronica rooms” at clubs, but as far as an underground house scene based on soulful, funky and deep house music, it’s pretty much gone and done. There are a few dedicated and sensible crews putting on events that feature techno and nu-school, and they’ve been kind enough to give a nod to house DJs in their lineup, but as I’ve had to sadly admit, the scene has moved on from those house days.
VW: Have you moved on?
X: I listen to a lot of electro and tech-house in the course of shopping online since that seems to be what everyone is producing, but I can’t stand most of it. That pushes me to go the other way, and I end up purchasing soul, acid jazz and R ’n’ B. The new Richard Earnshaw album is great, and I really enjoyed Dira’s solo debut. And I recently got a few jazz albums off my friends’ recommendation, such as The Heath Brothers’ Endurance.
VW: What do you play on your radio shows?
X: My radio shows are talk radio, so music is not a priority. However, every other week on my Friday morning show, there’s a segment where I introduce artists or music I like. Last week I talked about the chillwave band Washed Out, the CMJ festival in NYC, and previously I’ve even featured that Bed Intruder Song that went viral on iTunes, which I’m sure confused quite a few listeners in Taiwan.
VW: Besides deejaying you also have many other jobs. Aren’t you exhausted?
X: Once a week is fine, but I can’t do it like I used to. I still love to spin and enjoy nightlife, but I’ve found it’s much better to keep it at a ratio. At least the audience can expect that when they do see me playing out, I’m in the mood to party it up.
■ Xuan plays tomorrow at Dreams Club, 125 Nantian St, Kaohsiung City (高雄市南天街125號). Tickets are NT$500 for guys, NT$200 for girls (includes open bar). From 10pm to 4am
■ On the Net: xuan-music.com
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