Calling all bedroom and up-and-coming DJs. Plain-man/Bedroom DJ (素人DJ) is a forum run by Shao Shih-wei (邵詩緯), a passionate muso who’s worked in the music industry for seven years, that since February of 2007 has held more than 70 events across Taiwan.
The venue gives DJs a chance to show off their skills and get noticed by a record company.
“I’m not a DJ, but I live in music every day so I guess you can call me half a DJ,” Shao said. “I used to run a small record shop in the East District (東區). To spice things up a bit, I came up with the idea of doing a DJ forum there. It’s always been about offering a meeting point for DJs to exchange ideas and share music. But now, once a month I also work with other promoters to organize a party.”
Plain-man/Bedroom DJ provides opportunities for DJs and producers who wish to break into the music industry.
“When I come across someone remarkable, I recommend them to my record company [High Note Records],” Shao said. “I’ve seen lots of impressive DJs. One of them in particular is K.J. Stone, an enthusiastic young DJ who has been participating in the forums since the very beginning. In between the events, he’d come to practice deejaying. He’s mixed three albums for High Note now.”
This month, Plain-man/Bedroom DJ is holding three events — today, Nov. 20 and Nov. 27 — at La Playa Sports Bar (2F, 206, Minsheng E Rd Sec 5, Taipei City (台北市民生東路五段206號2樓). For more info (Chinese only) visit tw.myblog.yahoo.com/under_record/article?mid=965&prev=1159&l=f&fid=26, or send an e-mail to under_record@yahoo.com.tw.
Tonight’s edition runs from 10pm to 3am. Admission is NT$250, which includes a NT$100 drinks ticket. The roster for tonight: Kenny (house), Jero (tribal house), Eat Me! Black Hole! (electro/techno/indie) K.J. Stone (electro house), Music Loop (progressive, house), Marc Engram (progressive ,trance), Eddie Hu (progressive, trance), Legacy (drum ’n’ bass) and Ian (indie electro).
With live acts and mash-up style DJ sets, another option for tonight is A State of Sound. Burn Electric, Genetically Modified Beats and J-Six are on the bill. “This time we are adding some extra performances ... as well as a couple of other things that I want to keep under wraps to keep the element of surprise,” said Hooker, the party’s co-organizer and one-half of Burn Electric. “We’re going with the Dark and Light theme to play on the rather auspicious date of Friday the 13th and all the images that it conjures up in people’s minds.”
A State of Sound at Luxy, 5F, 201, Zhongxiao E Rd Sec 4, Taipei City (台北市忠孝東路四段201號5樓), tonight from 10pm to 4:30am. Admission is NT$600.
Rolling on the River sets sail on another voyage tomorrow. “The party is aboard this fantastic riverboat that sails from Guandu Wharf (關渡碼頭),” the event’s organizer Shawn McClelland said. “It has three decks: one for mingling, one for dancing and the top deck is open air with a bar. It has a spiral staircase, crystal chandelier, VIP room with a fireplace, brass fittings — it’s really very luxurious.” And the music? There will be house and hip-hop by DJs Hooker and Mr Bear. There is a “chic and sexy” dress code. The previous two cruises both sold out.
Tomorrow from 8pm, when the boat departs, to 11pm. Advance tickets are NT$900 for ladies and NT$1,200 for gentlemen. Admission includes open bar and entry to an after-party at Luxy. For more information, call 0922-483-594.
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