Underneath Diplo’s suited and booted exterior lurks a quirky soul. The DJ, aka Wesley Pentz, who plays at Luxy on Wednesday, has been causing some serious mayhem with collaborator Switch as Major Lazer.
Though Switch won’t be coming, MC Skerrit Bwoy will. He’s known for his wild stage performances and the Jamaican dancing style called “daggering,” which could be described as Kama Sutra on the dance floor, only with clothes on.
The rider for Wednesday’s gig includes “optional” items such as “inflatable animals,” “an arranged marriage,” “a Malawian orphan” and “a dartboard with M.I.A.’s face on it.”
In addition to producing tracks for M.I.A. and Snoop Dogg, remixing for Daft Punk, Lil’ Wayne, Radiohead, Missy Elliot, Tiesto and a bunch of other big names, Diplo has been touring nonstop, headlining festivals like Coachella and Fuji Rock.
Vinyl Word: What did you grow up listening to?
Diplo: Growing up was just simple, from gospel to Top 40 to hip-hop to metal to hard core to dancehall to house and then on to weird music from all over the world. And then I mixed it all up, and that’s what I play now.
VW: How did you and Switch come up with the Major Lazer concept?
D: We had been friends for many years. But we just decided to do this in our own way. Major Lazer is a sort of group of 15 people from dancers to producers to MCs. I’m just the ringleader, and Major Lazer is our flag.
VW: Why are you touring with Skerrit Bwoy instead of Switch?
D: He’s just part of the team, that’s all. When you get the show, you get the show. Don’t worry, people will get pregnant and maybe someone will be sacrificed.
VW: Skerrit Bwoy seems to get quite out of control on stage. Is he the same when off stage?
D: Yes. Touring with him is interesting and I learn a lot about the human species.
VW: This isn’t your first time playing in Taiwan. Is there anything you want to see or do this time?
D: No more monsoon rain, or Swedish girls, or mushroom wine!
Major Lazer, Wednesday from 10pm to 4am at Luxy, 5F, 201, Zhongxiao E Rd Sec 4, Taipei City (台北市忠孝東路四段201號5樓). Admission is NT$500 (women) and NT$900 (men) at the door. Advance tickets are NT$300 (women) and NT$600 (men), available from both Toasteria (吐司利亞) locations, 2, Ln 248, Zhongxiao E Rd Sec 4, Taipei City (台北市忠孝東路四段248巷2號), tel: (02) 2731-8004, and 1, Ln 72, Yunhe St, Taipei City (台北市雲和街72巷1號), tel: (02) 2365-3051, and KGB, 5, Ln 114, Shida Rd, Taipei City (台北市師大路114巷5號).
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