Taiwan Grooves

Join today's episode, I am joined by R&B singer and bass player - LINION! Together, we will discuss his humble KTV beginnings, his main instrument, musical influences, and some of the unusual methods of his previous teachers.  LINION is a soulful singer and songsmith from Taiwan, with a core focus on Neo-Soul and R&B. With the electric bass as his main instrument of study, LINION grad...

Thank you for tuning in to part II of our interview with Yufu, who recently released his soul album, *Heal Me Good*. In today’s episode, we discuss the soul music community in Taiwan and Japan, explore a meaningful trip that changed his musical career path, and Yufu will break down some of his tracks for us.  Yufu is an emerging Soul and Funk musician who finds his muse in the classic 7...

Join us for today's episode, where I will be interviewing Yufu, a Taiwanese soul musician who previously appeared on my show a while back. He is returning to discuss his new album titled "Heal Me Good." We'll talk about what Yufu has been up to lately, some of his performances this year, and the main ideas behind the album and its creation. Yufu is an emerging Soul and Funk musician who finds his...

Welcome to the second episode featuring Kyle, the lead singer and rhythm guitarist of the band Electric Monk! In this episode, we continue from last week's discussion, where we covered the band's origins and introduced its members. We also explored the topic of overcoming stage fright.  Today, we will pick up right where we left off. We'll discuss the balance of using social media to promote...

Welcome to today's episode with a member of Electric Monk, Kyle! Together, we will discuss how the band came into existence, current and past members of the band, some of his favorite and memorable performances, and we will dig into the topic of stage fright!  Electric Monk got started in the mid-2000s in Austin, Texas, where Kyle (vocals and guitar) and Brent Scheihagen (vocals, guitar, and...

Welcome back to the second episode of our interview with opera singer, composer, and enthusiast, Ü. In last week's episode, we explored her rich musical background and discussed specific operas. Today, we will delve into some of her favorite composers, examine whether the opera audience is growing, and even hear short samples from her own work. If you're curious about opera but don't know muc...

Hello, and welcome to today's episode! I will be interviewing Ü during her visit back home to see her family and give some lectures. In this episode, we will discuss her origins in music, the importance of music in her life, and her unique connection between music and big data. We will also explore opera and score reading, including singing in different languages. Tune in for the first part o...

Hello! Join us for today's episode, part II with Holly, a talented acoustic fingerstyle musician known for her introspective and relaxing instrumental music. We will continue our discussion from where we left off, focusing on how the songs she has been working on came to life and what common themes they share. We’ll also hear a breakdown and samples of a few tracks. Additionally, she will sh...

Hello and welcome to today's episode featuring Holly! In this discussion, we'll explore Holly's journey with music, including how she was surrounded by it from a young age and began learning to play the piano and guitar. We'll delve into her experience in a band and how she transitioned between the two instruments. Holly will also share her role in a monthly improv show, including her preparation...

Hello and welcome to a slightly different episode! As for the last part of my holiday, I decided to give everyone a little quiz! Just to recap a bit and see how much you pay attention, we will play a short bit of a song from artists who appeared on this show before, and your job will be to guess the song's name! Or at least an artist. In case you can't, worry not! At least enjoy good music and per...

In part II of the episode with Wenwen, we will discuss the creation of Wenwen's EP "Wa kah i li," exploring the themes of first love and the unique mix of Taiwanese and English lyrics that define her music. We will also cover the role of live performances and social media in reaching audiences, and how these platforms influence WenWen's musical journey. Additionally, she will share insights into t...

In this episode, we explore the journey of Wenwen, an artist who evolved from studying illustration to creating music. We discuss early inspirations and the transition from illustration to music, highlighting the influence of both Taiwanese and English artists. The episode also covers Wenwen's transformative experience studying in New York and how it shaped her artistic and musical perspectives. W...

In part II of our conversation with Lili, we will explore the delicate balance between hard work and the pursuit of inspiration in the music industry. Our guest, Lili Greenberg, a talented singer-songwriter, will share her experiences transitioning from the competitive atmosphere of New York City to the more relaxed and community-focused music scene in Taiwan. She will also discuss how this change...

Join us as we explore the creative world of music with Lili Greenberg, a talented singer, songwriter, and dancer. In this episode, you will find out how her upbringing in the multicultural neighborhoods of New York City, along with the influence of musical theater and her family, has shaped her artistic journey. Lili reflects on the challenges and triumphs of touring as a performer, shares in...

Hello and welcome! Today, we will continue our conversation with Taipei-based musician Max Lee, who originally hails from Florida. In this second part of the interview, we will discuss memorable performances, the dynamics of collaborating with other musicians, and the challenges of rehearsing and recording music. Max will share his excitement about discovering new venues for acoustic sets and the...

In today's conversation, Max returns to discuss his musical journey since his last appearance. He shares insights into his performances, the challenges he faces with different venues, and the evolution of his projects. Max reflects on his songwriting process, the importance of collaboration, and the need for effective promotion in today's saturated music landscape. He expresses a desire to balance...

Greetings! Join us for today’s discussion with Mamasay Records and three of its bands as they visit and tour around Taiwan. We will feature BESTFRIEND, deLight, and jinsungyoon. In the second part of the interview, they will share insights on the popularity of busking in Japan and Korea. Additionally, BESTFRIEND will discuss their latest album, and deLight will describe the inspiration behin...

Hello and welcome! Today, we'll explore some K-rock! We have Mamasay Records in the studio, bringing three of their bands to showcase and tour around Taiwan, including BESTFRIEND, deLight, and jinsungyoon. We'll discuss the label's mission, what sets them apart, why BESTFRIEND is based in Osaka, and how bands are selected to be managed.  Mamasay Records, a South Korean music label, is differe...

Today, we will continue our discussion about learning the guitar with Drew. Building on our conversation from last week's episode, we will explore which guitar players have had the greatest influence on his playing style. Additionally, Drew will share his personal teaching philosophy and offer some special advice on how to manage performance anxiety. Growing up in a musical household, music was al...

Welcome to today's episode! Today, I'm joined by Drew, who will be sharing his guitar journey — from being a student to teaching others, offering insights and tips he’s picked up along the way to play more efficiently. We'll dive into how he got started with music, how he began sharing his knowledge, his transition to creating online content, and the inspiration he drew from Japanese s...

Join me and Tanner Williams from The Co-Pilots for the second part of our interview about his band. In this episode, Tanner will break down his latest single for us. We'll also discuss the sound of their upcoming album, the impact of AI music on the industry, and the challenges Tanner faces with his new bandmates. The Co-Pilots are an independent rock project based in Taipei, originally from Pensa...

In today's episode, I am joined by Tanner Williams, a member of The Co-Pilots. We will discuss the band’s lineup changes, the origins of The Co-Pilots, and their move to Taiwan. Additionally, Tanner shares how he took up piano as a guitarist, their debut at a festival in southern Taiwan, and the difference between playing in closed venues versus festivals. The Co-Pilots are an independent ro...

Welcome to the second part of our interview with sitar maestro, Yo, and erhu virtuoso, T.S. Today, they will share with us their favorite experience performing, tell us the origin and background of two of their songs, what kind of rituals they follow, and their plans to play abroad more.  Wooonta is a Taiwanese world music ensemble renowned for their innovative fusion of traditional Eastern i...

Today's episode of Taiwan Grooves will feature two talented musicians who bring us a special combination - sitar and erhu. The duo, T.S. Lo and Yo, will teach us about their instruments of choice, story how they got to playing them, and the origins of the band.  Wooonta is a Taiwanese world music ensemble renowned for their innovative fusion of traditional Eastern instruments and diverse musi...

Welcome to the second part of our interview with The Church of Loops. Brian and John will take us through one of their songs, talk about jamming out songs from scratch and improvisation, and we will also brainstorm ideas for pushing music to reach new listeners.  The Church of Loops creates original music by improvising with loop stations, beatboxing, vocal harmonies, MIDI controlle...