Allen Liu (劉培倫) and Keith Liu (劉力予), better known to partygoers as @llenblow and DJ Shorty, are anything but conventional. As veterans of the scene, Allen and Keith have worked for nearly a decade bringing alternative music to Taiwan. Whether it’s as members of the Taimaica Soundsystem (台買加環繞音效) playing dub and reggae, or as DJs playing dubstep, drum ’n’ bass and abstract hip-hop, they have sacrificed time and money in the hope of diversifying the country’s musical tastes.
Vinyl Word: In a climate where alternative music isn’t nearly as abundant or accepted like it is in, say, Japan, how did you get started?
Allen Liu: I’d have to say it was MTV during the 1990s. Right now MTV only plays Taiwanese shows and music, but during the 1990s the programming had a good mix of local and foreign content. That got me into things like grunge and punk and also began my relationship with hip-hop.
Keith Liu: Yeah, MTV late-night especially. Allen and I both started out in different punk and hardcore bands and it really helped to keep us inspired. But I was also fortunate enough to be one of the few kids in my neighborhood with Internet access, so I took full advantage of that.
VW: Now that MTV airs almost all local content, outside of the Internet, where in Taiwan can people go to discover new music?
KL: Outside of the Internet? That’s tough. Species Records in Ximending has always done a lot to nurture my curiosity. They really know their stuff and constantly give me great recommendations. Other than that, the annual Freak Out Da Beast party [in Taipei] is still excellent and maybe the only regular major event where you can really hear something different in Taiwan.
AL: There’s also Campo, which used to happen monthly here in Taipei but has since turned into an annual event in Tainan. It’s not as big as it once was but it’s still great. But other than that ... there’s no money in the alternative, so no one plays it.
VW: If there’s so little interest in alternative music, why do you bother?
KL: Well, actually, despite the obvious challenges, attendance at our 420 parties has progressively improved. From the first one where it was just a small group of friends to last year where we had over 100, there’s definitely been a growth in support.
AL: I also think it’s our duty. No matter how frustrated we might get, we’re still Taiwanese and I feel like it’s our responsibility to push and expose an alternative no matter how unpopular it may be.
VW: What can partygoers expect from your bash tomorrow?
AL: To hear something you’ve never heard and won’t hear anywhere else in Taiwan.
KL: You won’t hear [Super Junior’s] Sorry, Sorry and you won’t hear the Black Eyed Peas. Come with an open mind and experience something fresh.
You can catch @llenblow and DJ Shorty alongside Point, Hangin’ in the Air (盪在空中) and KbN (凱比鳥) tomorrow at the fourth annual 420 Party from 10pm to 4:20am at Roxy Roots, 90 Songren Rd, Taipei City (台北市松仁路90號). Admission is NT$300. On the Net: www.roxy.com.tw
For more information, visit @llenblow’s blog: tw.myblog.yahoo.com/uselessbrotherhood
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