Back to the nightclubs this weekend after the orgy of outdoor celebrations that have recently included parties on beaches, by swimming pools, in the mountain's and in Taipei's parks. Tonight, DJ Joe Ho takes on the world.
Returning to Taipei after last year's Armin Van Burren tour, Godskitchen is putting on "East Meets West." The imaginatively named event will see Ho becoming the first "local" DJ to headline one of the UK promoter's international shows.
PHOTO: JULES QUARTLY, TAIPEI TIMES
The idea for some time now has been to expose a native DJ to other big clubs around the world so he or she can bring glory to Taiwan and eventually DJ at a presidential inauguration, or something similar.
Ho's a contender: He's been DJing 10 years, has played at the main events and recently released a compilation double CD The Resident ? 001. He also plays trance, the flavor of dance music most Taiwanese say they prefer.
Ho says he would, like any DJ, welcome the chance to play at superclubs around the globe. He agrees the exposure of a Godskitchen event is an opportunity, but it's not worrying him.
"I'm not nervous at the moment. Why should I be nervous? I guess it will be like a regular Friday night. Of course, I will be preparing something a little bit different from before and make it special."
One of the biggest names in UK clubbing, Godskitchen calls itself a "conglomerate" of dance music and compares itself with Ministry of Sound, or Gatecrasher -- essentially successful clubs that leverage their names in the world of electronic music and dictate which DJs people are listening to this year.
Elsewhere, SL and Saucey have been throwing down deep and soulful house beats at Eden's "Deep Inside" parties and the event has started to get a following.
"This formula works in Eden because of the comfortable, small space and the sound system, which I think is nothing short of kickass," says SL, about the free parties, from 10pm to 5am.
"I don't know whether you made it to the last one but it had an amazing vibe, and quite a few people commented that the music was `familiar ... yet different,' which is how we want it to sound."
This time around Dave Cee and Stevie Wondaful will be keeping SL company, as Saucey is on vacation. "Their house sound is very `US East Coast,' specifically New York, with the lush R 'n' B voicings and jazzy chords that I'm sure will put a warm glow on everyone's faces [tomorrow]," SL says.
Saturday also sees DJs Disciple and Farhaan at Luxy; with MYNC Project, from the UK at Ministry of Sound -- "four decks, two mixers and a whole heap of trouble!"
Tonight in Taichung it's DJ Phil K, The Sundance Kid, Phoenix and others at Sparc, from 12pm to 7am. The next day Chi Funk is up for a "Flower Party," at Penthouse. "This summer we give your eyes a party as beautiful as a flower with great music for ears," the promoters warn. DJs Sky, A100, Swank, Canada Elivs and Evelution from the US will be wearing Paisley.
The Vinyl Word: Are you a Badass? If so, Club TU wants to hear from you, to peform and get included on a CD. Try http://www.clubtu.com.tw for more details.
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