Job Discussion Forums

[KindergartenCop]

Hey.

I'm moving Taipei at the beginning of July. I was hoping some of you guys might be able to give me a bit of info about the scene over there.

I did two and a half years in Seoul and managed to get myself a band over there, but I can't say that I was that impressed by the amount of original bands for a city of 10 million+ people. By original bands I mean ones that write their own songs, rather than just playing bad Bon Jovi covers to p*ssed-up white folks.

I found a web page called "Island of Sound" which has some great stuff on Taiwanese and expat indie/punk music, but doesn't seem to have been updated for a few years. What bands (expat or otherwise) should I be looking out for when I get there? I'm into my rock/indie mainly, but I'm always game for a bit of dance music. Think Justice, Chemical Bros, Digitalism, Caribou.

A few other musician-themed questions-

1) What is the availability of decent gear over there? Korea was a nightmare for trying to get decent guitars, pedals etc, unless you payed over the odds. On the other hand Japan was like heaven! What's the situation in Taiwan?

2) What clubs hold regular gigs? Is there a mix of Taiwanese and expat bands at gigs? Or is there an early gig with local acts, then a late gig for expat bands?

3) Any info regarding costs for recording studios/jam spaces would be great. Thanks to NEP for his January 2011 post on jam spaces. I'll check those places out when I get there.

4) Do many "Big" Western acts make it to Taiwan? Obviously the definition of "Big" varies, but throw a few names at me.

Answers to any of those questions would be greatly appreciated.

If anyone is interested in a jam from the begining of July onwards PM me! I've been the drummer in my last few bands, but I play guitar to a half decent level. I've written plenty of songs for bands I've been in, and I'll have a stab at writing lyrics too. Can't sing for sh*t though...

Thanks.

[KindergartenCop]

Thought I'd bump this up. 230 views and no one has anything to say?!

[creztor]

Meow.

[Dr_Zoidberg]

Maybe you would have better luck on forumosa

[KindergartenCop]

Thanks Dr. Zoidberg, I'll try forumosa.