It’s no secret that Taiwanese culture is heavily influenced by Japan. Mykal, real name Mykal Lin (林哲儀), keeps a close watch on Taiwan’s neighbor, jumping on any opportunity to bring over top electronic DJs.
“The club scene in Japan is definitely much better than we have in Taipei and it has produced many world famous DJs, like Shinichi Osawa, FPM and Takyu Ishino,” said Mykal in an interview with the Taipei Times.
“I think most Japanese DJs have good technique regardless of whether they are famous or not,” he continued. “That’s why I always love to invite Japanese DJs rather than spending money on so-called ‘top 100 DJs,’ even though they’re not really famous in Taiwan. I wish that all the major clubs in Taipei could be more open-minded and not just focus on top 100 DJ lists.”
Photo courtesy of DJ Mykal
Mykal’s latest discovery is newcomer 2BOY, real name Taichiro Tsuboi, who follows in the footsteps of recent Japanese prodigies like The Lowbrows, Kyoko and Mademoiselle Yulia. The young DJ’s upcoming show is a chance take a peek into the latest Harajuku music, art and fashion culture.
“I heard about him from my Japanese friends like Dexpistols and Kyoko, and I knew he was a young and talented DJ and producer in the Tokyo electronic scene,” said Mykal. “And I liked his debut single Eureka so much that I played it when I opened for the Chemical Brothers last year. So I thought it was time to invite him to come to Taipei.”
The rising Japanese star self-produces his own art and videos, promotes his own Department parties in Tokyo, and is a street fashion blogger — all of which have made him immensely popular in both the underground and mainstream scenes in Japan. His bio boasts that his music is “unpredictable, eclectic and fresh.”
2BOY plays tomorrow night in Taipei at Elektrockinbeatz, alongside K From Sixty Seven (阿凱), real name Chen Ray-kai (陳瑞凱, aka Ah-kai, 阿凱), who despite his background with the renowned Taiwanese rock band 1976, will be showcasing his dance music skills on the decks for the first time.
Mykal is also on the bill tomorrow night.
Chen Ray-kai, 2BOY, Mad Brain, Pilot K and Joint Division play tomorrow at Pipe, 1 Siyuan St, Taipei City (台北市思源街1號) tel: (02) 2364-8198. Doors open at 10pm and tickets can be purchased in advance for NT$400 at M@M Boutique, 4F-3, 112, Zhongxiao E Rd Sec 3, (台北市忠孝東路四段112號4樓之3), (02) 8771-5688. Admission at the door is NT$700, which includes a drink.
Also tomorrow night, Revolver hosts WareHouse II by Agnst Asia — an all dubstep and drum ’n’ bass party. On the dubstep side, Inn and @llen will drop the bass, and Lai and Neker will throw down the drum ’n’ bass.
■ Revolver is located at 1-2, Roosevelt Rd Sec 1, Taipei City (台北市羅斯福路一段1-2號), near Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall MRT Station (中正紀念堂捷運站) Exit 4. Tel: (02) 3393-1678. Admission is NT$350 at the door, which includes a drink.
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