From when he was barely able to shake his diapers down to the ground, DJ 8Ball (real name Paul Duffy), was exposed to the funk.
“My mother was very into soul and Motown, so that was an early influence,” Duffy said in an email interview with the Taipei Times. He’ll be spreading that sweet sound and focusing on the decade of decadence, the 1980s, this Saturday night at Revolver with Taipei Vice.
“I remembered some ‘80s themed nights back home where people really got in to it,” 8Ball said when asked what was it about the era that he likes so much. “Also, there’s something about the ‘80s which just says summer.”
Photo courtesy of Joe Russo
8Ball cut his teeth behind the decks for the past year and a half with the Soul, Sweat & Swank conglomerate, but for Saturday night, he’s squarely focused on other things — mainly his love for ‘80s pop songs.
“Technology had a big impact on the ‘80s. You can always tell a song is of that time from the production sound alone,” he said. “I’ve always loved the melodies and hooks of many of those songs. While the production improved, there was still a lot of great songwriting there.”
8Ball said modern pop music doesn’t quite measure up. “Looking at pop music nowadays, the producer is able to mask inadequate songwriting and other deficiencies to the point where literally anybody can come in off the street and make an acceptable chart track. In the ‘80s you had some of these cheesy pop acts like Wham! but they were good pop songs. The Cure also wrote pop songs, but they were original. I see the ‘80s as a time when there was good pop, as opposed to what we have now.”
■ Taipei Vice with DJs 8ball, Robi Roka, Mr. Uppity, Kolette, and Digital D is tomorrow night at Revolver from 11pm to 5am, 1-2, Roosevelt Rd Sec 1, Taipei City (台北市羅斯福路一段1-2號). Admission is NT$350, which includes a drink and prizes for the best ‘80s outfit.
After 10 years of frolicking in the sun and surf, Summer Aquarian went out with the tide last year. Hoping to fill in Aquarian’s sandals this year is Summer SHOTZ, a beach party with three stages at Jhongjiao Beach, Jinshan Village, New Taipei City (新北市金山村中角沙灘).
Ken Peng (彭緯豪), head of Summer SHOTZ, said that he welcomed the opportunity to throw a huge event by the ocean. “Beach parties are an opportunity for people to experience freedom in the comfort of a natural environment,” he said in an email interview with the Taipei Times.
While this is the first year promoting the event, Peng believes that he will continue in the tradition that Summer Aquarian started. “Summer SHOTZ will respect the environment just as Summer Aquarian did,” Peng said.
“As we are also promoting environmental awareness, people can expect to see a very clean and beautiful beach when they arrive. During the day we will host surfing and biking activities followed by amazing musical performances. The music will start playing as the sun sets with a very entertaining setup of three stages including an electro, hip-hop and house area. There will be a massive LED light show to make this truly a night to remember.”
■ Summer SHOTZ is tomorrow from 12pm to 4am at Jhongjiao Beach, Jinshan Village, New Taipei City (新北市金山村中角沙灘). Tickets are NT$1,000 at the door. For more information (in Chinese), go to www.summershotz.com.tw.
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