The beat kicks in as soon as the words “drums please” are uttered. After a quick scratch by DJ Jazzy Jeff, a bunch of fun-loving voices start saying “aww” and “eww” before they chant the title of the Fresh Prince’s timeless warm-weather anthem, Summertime.
When this song starts getting played in Taiwan, pool party season has arrived.
Last Saturday, Liquid Lifestyle Promotions and D.Hooker (real name Dominik Tyliszczak) kicked off their Oasis pool parties in at the Taipei Country Club on a slightly overcast day. “It was one of the best-attended pool parties yet,” D.Hooker said. “It’s a nice start for Oasis to a kicking summer with many things planned, including prize tournaments and very special surprise DJs.”
Photo Courtesy of Johan Vosloo
Tomorrow, Frog in a Sock’s Havana pool parties — which rotate nearly every week with Oasis (with a few exceptions, see dates below) — start chilling the beer and firing up the grill. “With five years under our belt, we have most things under control except the weather,” said Angus Yeats, head of promotions for Frog in a Sock. “We want to see everyone have a good time, so we get the best DJs and keep it affordable with free entry before 1:30pm and good prices on our extensive drink list.”
■ Frog in a Sock’s Havana pool parties kick off tomorrow at the Taipei Country Club, 1 Qingyun Rd, Taipei City (台北市青雲街1號). From 11am until 9pm. Free entry from 11am until 1:30pm. After 1:30pm, admission is NT$250 for women and NT$350 for men, which includes one margarita). On the Net: www.froginasock.com.tw. Other Havana dates are — get a pen ready — June 25, July 9, July 23, July 30, Aug. 6, Aug. 20, Aug. 27, Sept. 3, Sept. 11 and Sept. 17.
■ Oasis is June 18 at the Taipei Country Club, 1 Qingyun Rd, Taipei City (台北市青雲街1號) from 1pm until 9pm. Admission is NT$200 for women and NT$400 for men. Men’s admission price includes a drink. On the Net: liquid-lifestyle.com. Other Oasis dates are July 2, July 16, Aug. 13, Aug. 28, Sept. 10 and Sept. 24.
Photo Courtesy of Odyssey
If you prefer trees and grass to the water, then EarthFest Revolutions is for you. What began in 2008 as a commercial-free tribal gathering has turned into 40 hours of non-stop music in the middle of the jungle. The sounds coming out of the 30,000-watt system tonight and tomorrow morning will be psytrance, moving to electro, techno, drum ’n’ bass and dubstep later tomorrow and Sunday. The EarthFest crew said they have refused sponsorship over the years and they have a break-even philosophy that guarantees everything goes back into the event, making each year better than the last.
■ EarthFest Revolutions Electronic Music Festival, Kunlun Herb Plant Tourism Garden (崑崙藥用植物園), 8-2, 1st Neighborhood, Gaoping Village, Longtan Township, Taoyuan County (桃園縣龍潭鄉高平村1鄰8-2號). The festival runs from 6:30pm today to 11:45am on Sunday. For the full roster of DJs and directions, visit www.earthfest.tw. Admission is NT$1,000.
And finally, Odyssey’s New Heroes party has a new venue. Tonight’s shindig, featuring the bombastic sounds of man-of-the-moment Afrojack (real name Nick van der Wall), as well as Fergie and Quintino, was moved from Nangang 101 to Strike on Wednesday night. No official reason has been given, but Nangang 101 holds 7,000-plus people and Strike’s capacity is less that 1,000.
With a slew of smash hits under his belt including Take Over Control, collaborations with David Guetta and Pitbull, remixes for Madonna, Ian Carey, and Snoop Dogg, and a Grammy with David Guetta for the remix of Madonna’s Revolver earlier this year, the 23-year-old isn’t doing bad for himself. The Vinyl Word caught up with him earlier this week.
The Vinyl Word: What’s the story behind the name “Afrojack”?
Afrojack: I used to have an afro (I still do when I grow my hair), and jack is synonymous for house music, and that’s what got me started.
VW: You’ve been making music with Fruity Loops since you were 11. How did you start getting into making electronic music at such a young age?
A: I was just always into making music, playing piano, a little drumming, and using a computer to make music was just a way easier way to express my creativity.
VW: Did your parents influence you musically?
A: I think so, my mother has owned a sports and dance gym for 15 years now. Before that she was a top-level aerobics/street dance teacher, and we didn’t have money for a nanny back then so I used to go with her to the lessons. I think that gave me a lot of the basics on rhythm.
VW: What’s the most amazing party you’ve played so far?
A: There are so many great parties I’ve experienced, but nothing comes close to the festival tour I did in Australia last year (Stereo Sonic), the parties in Las Vegas, and all the huge festivals in Europe during the summer.
VW: You’re only 23 and already you’re something of a superstar, how do you feel about your success? Does it bring you any pressure?
A: I’m never really pressured because I’m doing it for fun. The only thing that’s sometimes weird about the success is that you get responsibility — to the club kids that wear my clothing, or are supporting me, even listening to my music. I would make them look like idiots if I suddenly started doing crack of a donkey or something.
Note: The Vinyl Word in no way promotes “doing crack of a donkey,” whatever it entails.
■ Odyssey presents The New Heroes tonight from 9pm to 4am at Strike, B1, 563, Zhongxiao E Rd Sec 4, Taipei City (台北市忠孝東路4段563號B1). Admission at the door is NT$1,200 with a drink. For refunds before the show, call the Rose Records hotline at 0800-000-802.
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