Taiwan Grooves

Today, I have a fantastic singer-songwriter from Thailand in the studio! Join us as Matthew shares his experiences at Taiwan's songwriting camp and discusses how his musical roots sparked his journey. He will also talk about his influences and the invaluable experiences he gained while being a part of the band Rocketman, which helped him in his solo career. Plus, we'll listen to excerpts from the...

Hello, and welcome back to interviewing Feng E, the man reinventing ukulele playing by bringing rhythm, melody, and soloing together. Last week, we talked about his past and how a series of events led to the creation of his band, Resonance Effect! Today’s focus will be on the band’s upcoming EP, balancing different roles in the band, and his creative process for composing songs. We will also discu...

Today, I’m speaking with Feng E, the Taiwanese ukulele virtuoso who first gained fame at just ten years old. Since then, he has evolved from a young internet sensation into one of the most exciting and technically inventive ukulele players in the world, performing internationally and demonstrating just how versatile the ukulele can be. Feng E doesn’t just play the ukulele; he is expanding what peo...

In today’s episode, we will continue our conversation with henÿ, an indie-pop artist, songwriter, and producer known for blending lo-fi textures, groove-driven production, and lyrics in both English and Mandarin. Last week, we discussed how henÿ began making music, the artists who influenced his sound, and his journey from picking up the guitar to writing, producing, and releasing his own songs. T...

Welcome to today’s episode of Taiwan Grooves. I’m joined by henÿ an indie-pop artist, songwriter, and producer whose music blends lo-fi textures, groove-driven production, and lyrics in both English and Mandarin. In the first half of our conversation, we talk about how henÿ started making music, the artists who shaped his sound, and the journey from picking up the guitar to writing, producing, and...

Hello, and thank you for joining us for the second part of our interview with the talented voice and creative artist, Dory, also known as Dodo. She is a member of the a cappella group The Wanted and a solo artist with a unique approach to music. In our first episode, we explored how Dory discovered her passion for music, learned harmonies from a young age, and became part of an internationally per...

What happens when a singer, raised in choir music and opera, decides to forge her own path? In this episode, I'm joined by Dory, also known as Dodo, a member of the a cappella group The Wanted and a solo artist with a unique approach to music. In our first episode, we discussed how Dory discovered her passion for music, learned harmonies from a young age, and became part of an internationally perf...

Hello and welcome back to getting to know CJ MiT! He is a singer-songwriter from Taiwan whose first album, *My Words*, was very successful. Today, we will continue from where we left off last week to explore why he chooses to write his songs primarily in Taiwanese and how he learned music production through YouTube. CJ will also share the equipment he used to record the album and his plans for upg...

Thank you for tuning in to your weekly exploration of talented musicians based in Taiwan! Today, I’m excited to be joined by CJ, a Taiwanese singer-songwriter and producer who has experienced a blessing in disguise. In the first part of our conversation, he will share how he began playing the piano and what led him to shift his focus from classical performance. CJ will also discuss the significant...

Good day, and thank you for tuning in to Taiwan Grooves. In today’s episode, we continue our conversation with singer, songwriter, and composer Max Lee from Project Maximus. Last week, we discussed his recent performances and his transition from being part of a fixed band to embracing the flexibility of a solo project. We explored the new opportunities this shift has created. In today’s episode, w...

Hello and thank you for tuning in to Taiwan Grooves for today’s episode featuring singer, songwriter, and composer Max Lee from Project Maximus. In the first part of the interview, we discussed various topics, including his recent performances, his transition from being part of a fixed band to embracing the flexibility of a solo project, and the new opportunities this shift has created, among othe...

Hello and thank you for tuning in! Today, I am once again joined by Chet and Sam, two members of the indie rock band AlexisWhirl. In last week’s discussion, they shared the band's origins, how they fell in love with playing music, and their recent success in a battle of the bands, among other topics. This episode will cover the challenges of finding the right band dynamics, their unique approaches...

Hello and welcome to today’s episode! I’m excited to be joined by the indie rock band AlexIsWhirl. In this episode, we will discuss how they formed as a band, the story behind their name, and when they first started playing their instruments. They will also share what it took to win their recent Battle of the Bands in Taiwan and their perspective on the local music scene. Stay tuned for an insight...

Hey everyone, welcome back to our conversation with the talented artist David Clark IV, also known as DCIV. In the first part of our discussion last week, we explored his journey of fully committing to his solo project and his transition from producing to rapping. Today, we will dive into the origins of his latest album, *Lost, Then Found*. We'll also get a behind-the-scenes look at the making of...

In today's episode, I'm joined by David Clark IV, also known as DCIV. He is an artist based in Taiwan who engages in various aspects of music, including rapping, singing, producing, mixing, and creating visuals that capture his work and life. In the first part of our conversation, we will discuss his journey of fully committing to his solo project, his transition from producing to rapping, and how...

Welcome to part II of our interview with all five members of the band Tiger Island. Last week, we learned about each member and how they came together as a band, along with some of their most memorable experiences with fans. In today’s episode, we will discuss some of their songs and their marketing strategies for promoting their music. They will also share their thoughts on the blurring lines bet...

Hello and welcome to today’s full-house episode featuring all five members of the Taiwanese band Tiger Island! In the first part of the interview, the band members will share how they met and formed the group, their creative writing process, and where they find inspiration. Next, they will discuss their favorite fan interactions from live shows and provide an overview of what they hope listeners f...

Welcome to the second part of our interview with Aysanabee, a Canadian Indigenous singer-songwriter who recently performed at a music festival in Taiwan. In today’s discussion, we will explore his experiences performing for a Taiwanese audience, the relationship between social media following and selling out shows, and his recent musical evolution. He will also share his insights on the musi...

In today's episode, we have another world traveler, Aysanabee, whom I met during his tour in Taiwan for the Jade Music Fest. In the first part of our interview, we will discuss his meeting with my last-week's guest, Tennyson, and his journey to Taiwan. We'll also talk about his rituals before the show to prepare mentally and how he began playing guitar. Aysanabee is a multi-JUNO Award–winnin...

Join me today for a quick backstage interview with Tennyson King, who has returned for a festival and ended up staying for an entire month of shows and travel. In our conversation, we'll discuss the significance of Taiwan to him, his early influences, and the themes of his upcoming albums. We'll also have the chance to hear some of his songs and explore some aspects of life as a touring musician t...

Welcome back! You are joining us for the second part of our interview with Daniel Black, a New York rapper currently based in Taiwan.  In our previous discussion, we explored how his NYC roots have influenced his sound and his collaborations with local artists and beatmakers. Today, we will shift our focus to his lyric-writing process, the subjects he prefers to avoid, and some of his songs t...

Thank you for joining me today for Taiwan Grooves. In today's episode, I have the pleasure of welcoming Daniel Black, a rapper who brings a fresh New York perspective to Taiwan's evolving music scene. We will explore how his NYC roots have influenced his sound, his contributions to the diversity of Taiwan's music scene, and how he is giving back to the Taipei community. Additionally, we will discu...

Welcome to today's Part II with the three band members of How Many Hippos! Last week, we discussed how each member learned to play their instruments, how they formed the band, and the story behind their unique name. Today's episode focuses on some of their influences that shape their songs, how well their style is accepted in Taiwan, their future marketing plan, and clips of their favorite songs f...

Join me today for a geometry lesson accompanied by music! I will have all three members of the band, How Many Hippos, joining me. The first episode is about how each member learned to play their instruments, how they formed the band, and the story behind their unique name. Additionally, we'll explore the inspiration for their songs, what makes their live performances special, and which song they r...

Good day and welcome to another episode filled with classical music! Once again, I am joined by Gwhyneth Chen, a Taiwanese-American concert pianist who is widely regarded as one of the foremost pianists of her generation. Last week, we discussed how she began playing the piano, her early education, and the dedication required for practice. We also explored her work teaching piano to Alzheimer's pa...