Now that record stores and vinyl DJs are endangered species, teetering on the brink of extinction, hearing wax in the mix has become a blast from the past.
If you’re partial to the warm sound and thick bass of vinyl records, tomorrow’s 90s Revival Party at China White, which showcases hip-hop from that era, spun old-school style by some of the best local DJs and record diggers, will be of interest.
The party’s organizer, Dasu (aka Ghetto Child — a beatmaker of some renown), faithfully nurtures his vinyl fetish despite the proliferation of new technologies.
Vinyl Word: When did you start collecting records?
Dasu: Since I was in high school, so it’s been about 10 years. But the funny thing is that I didn’t have turntables then. My friend took me to a small record shop called Doobiest in Ximending (西門町) where I saw DJ Chicano. After meeting him, I became very ... interested in deejaying, so I started buying records. But when I’d finally saved up enough money and got turntables, I broke my hand, unfortunately, and I had to wait for a long time until I could play the records.
VW: What happened?
D: I got in a fight ... If I weren’t making music right now, I’d probably be a punk. I used to be really rebellious — getting in fights all the time, skating, ditching school ... I was bad.
VW: Where do you buy records now? How many records do you have?
D: Mostly online or wherever they sell records — could be a flea market or a secondhand bookstore. But buying records has become a habit. It’s getting harder and harder to find records in Taipei now. I guess I have about 2,000 plus records.
VW: Which genres do you collect?
D: Mostly funk, soul, jazz and hip-hop.
VW: What equipment do you use to produce music?
D: Mainly Akai’s MPC [series] (drum machine) and the EPS 16 Plus (sampler), and sometimes I use software for a final touch.
VW: Who are your influences?
D: Pete Rock, DJ Spinna, J Dilla, DJ Premier, James Brown and classic funk. DJ Chicano was the person who got me into ... old funk/soul music.
VW: Which local artists have you been working with recently?
D: Soul singer Pezen — he’s really great. We’ve just made a new single together and will be performing it
live tomorrow.
VW: What’s your take on the Taiwan’s hip-hop/
club scene?
D: Many artists are emerging, but there’s still room for improvement. As for the club scene, although hip-hop is very popular, it seems like most clubbers are into it just because it’s trendy. It’d be better if there are actually more people who know and support the kind of music they like. Otherwise, hip-hop will be replaced by something else, sooner or later.
VW: What are your plans for 2010?
D: I’m working on releasing my first album. I’m in contact with some local and foreign artists about collaborations. I’d like to break into the American scene and hope that my music will get some recognition overseas. It’s kind of hard to make music in Taiwan. I mean, the kind of music I make is far from what the mainstream market wants. I’d also like to bring some cool artists to Taiwan — Anonymous Twist from Canada is one of them.
90s Revival Party at China White, 2F, 97-101, Dunhua S Rd Sec 2, Taipei City (台北市敦化南路二段97-101號2樓), tomorrow from 11pm until 4am with DJs Chicano, Ghetto Child, Vicar and Camel and MC Basso and Pezen on vocals. Admission is NT$450.
On the Net: www.milk-crates.com
Correction: The original version of The Vinyl Word carried an incorrect byline. It was written by Queen Bee. The Taipei Times regrets the error
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