Thursday 14
For those game enough, it’s swimwear party time tonight at Club No. 9 – the first in a series of special club nights.
3/F, The Galleria, No. 9, Queen’s Rd, Central, 2973 6899.

Friday 15
Foxy DJ Joyce Mercedes enchants crowds at Chivas A Taste of Ibiza tonight. Joining her at the decks will be local flavours – DJ Joel Lai, DJ Tommy, FAMA, EO2, and Vangie Tang, Stephanie Cheung, DJ Tommy, Ella Koon – and a visit from Ibiza’s El Divino resident The Jinks. Starts at 8pm.
Hong Kong Exhibition Centre, 3/F, Wanchai, China Resources Building.

Pioneering DJ Chris Fortier is back and plays Volar tonight, blending distinctive dance mixes.
Bsmt, 38 – 44 D’Aguilar St, LKF, 2810 1510.

Saturday 16
DJ Leo brews up a fine mix celebrating Bollywood night’s first anniversary this Saturday. 11:30pm, Aqua Spirit, 29/F, Penthouse, 1 Peking Rd, TST (Free entry).

DJ Guru warms the decks every Saturday. Defunkt takes place at new Wanchai club Sin playing funky house, electro and breaks. Free entry, sounds from 10pm onwards.
G/F, Tonnochy Tower, 250 – 274 Jaffe Rd,
Wanchai, 2877 4688.

Ghost style, DJ BDH drops into 1/5 tonight, racking up mixes in house, hip-hop, with a bit of rock thrown in – something for everyone at Mash Up Fever. 10pm – late.
9 Star St, Wanchai, 2520 2515 (no cover).

Thursday 21
Shanghai nite at Club No. 9, part of a series in special nights hosted by the club with a view.
3/F, The Galleria, No. 9, Queen’s Rd, Central, 2973 6899.

Saturday 23
Take a sampan from Lamma ferry pier to Coleman beach and join in a spectacular free gig launching Trip Travel Records’ Buddha Power. Fans of Japan’s underground trance scene will be happy to hear that Trip Travel Clothing has expanded into one of the freshest trance sounds around. Label heads Takuya and Atsushi fly in for the night, whipping up a batch of psytrance and tech, accompanied by crew members DJ Kouji and DJ Kei Fujishiro.
From sunset till late.

Wednesday 27
Hip-hop-lovers The Toyko Pimps get the crowds steaming at Hot this Wednesday from 11pm – late. $280 with one drink.
3/F, East Wing, New World Centre, TST, 8120 0888.

Thursday 28
Get glammed up for a fashion show tonight at Club No. 9.
3/F, The Galleria, No. 9, Queen’s Rd, Central, 2973 6899.

Mine started life as a wine bar, until owner Enrico realised that, in the Chivas-drowned streets of Causeway Bay, it mightn’t go down so well. That’s not to say they gave in to public opinion completely – with its curvy shagpile walls, bouncing R’n’B and comfy but classy style, Mine is streets apart from manic Canto-pop karaoke bars and all-you-can-drink joints jostling close by. “It’s our way of staying different,” says Enrico with a chuckle. Though it’s true they keep a well-stocked whisky bar, also offered are DIY cocktail sessions, “pulling out the liqueurs,” for impromptu lessons. The international crowd that winds up at Mine hears about it mostly by word of mouth from other satisfied punters who enjoy a carefree place to hang out, have fun, and dance if they want, says Enrico. And what became of the wine? They kept five choice reds on the menu just in case.

Mine opens daily at 7pm. 13/F, Bloom House, Tang Lung St, CWB, 2836 6565.

Joyce, we can’t wait for you to come and get the party thumping in Hong Kong. But first we’d like to get a little bit familiar…

When was the first time you thought about becoming a DJ?
I was singing in a pop group called Centerfold with my friend Wendy Wustlich. She was a DJ and was dating a very famous DJ from The Netherlands. I remember I never really wanted to become a DJ, but Wendy persuaded me. I was not keen on all the hype that surrounded being a female DJ. I thought it was pathetic and did not take it seriously at all. After we formed Centrefold, she started to teach me and I wanted to learn just for fun, so I could play their private house parties. I went travelling around the world and found myself buying more and more records. I think it’s there where I decided to really go for this and wanted to become the best in the field.

Who is the most inspiring person you’ve played with, and why was that?
I think being on the same line up as Sasha at Dance Valley was special – I really respect this guy and love his music.
Also DJ Bobby from Jakarta, I played with him in STADIUM – what an incredible club and an incredible sound.

What is the most unusual venue you’ve played?
I was in my early career when a very commercial venue booked me purely for my looks. It wasn’t very smart of them because I play a deeper underground sound. Commercial nightclubs are never going to ‘get’ my music and the night fell flat.

Have you ever come close to losing any records on your travels?
Yes, but not because of me. I was playing in Madrid, I came home, and at my next gig many good records were missing – they had been stolen. I have since heard that Madrid airport has a very bad reputation for theft of records – beware!
I played for the Ministry of Sound in Chile, somebody else carried my records to the car. When I opened my bag in the hotel my whole CD case was gone. Thank God the vinyl was all there still inside. Those I cannot replace, but it was still fucked up.

You have worked as a singer, dancer and even Playboy Bunny – have you had any other jobs?
Oh no, that sounds very cheap. No I was not a Bunny – I did a reportage for Playboy when I was singing in the pop group. We did a beautiful shoot – a sexy fashion shoot, not a naked feature. I love to be glammed up and working in front of the camera. At the moment I pose a lot for magazines like FHM and MAXIM as well as some other modeling – why not?!

Do you think your good looks held you back or set
you free?
Of course this opened doors for me in the beginning – I got a chance to let the people fall in love with my music. On the other hand, you have to prove yourself more.

What is the best thing about being a female DJ?
Never having to carry your own record bag!

What can Hong Kong expect to hear when you play here?
Deep energetic powerful progressive sound with a great atmosphere and vibe.

What are you dreaming of next?
I am working in the studio on my own tracks, next to this I work on pop tracks, with me singing. I wish both projects will work out well, and will hit the charts globally.

I have recently launched my own label, QOC, watch out for releases soon .Nice one for the girls, see you soon.

Club Angel XX

www.joycemercedes.com
www.myspace.com/joycemercedes