How are you and what are you up to?
I am great and at present I am sitting in my hotel room in Kentish Town, London, about to go to Camden to meet up with my publisher.
You actually came to Hong Kong from the UK after you were made bankrupt – what happened?
I was made bankrupt six years ago at the time of the rise of the MP3. I was running a very successful independent record label [LCD Records] with my partner and, within eight months from when we first heard of MP3s, our sales of vinyl had dropped by 80%. The incredible speed with which MP3s gained popularity coupled with the internet caught everybody in the music industry off guard. Major record labels owed our label money but, because it affected them too, they simply didn’t pay us and many other independent labels. We couldn’t survive and sadly I lost everything and was made bankrupt.
But why Hong Kong?
I decided I needed a change after losing everything and the choice was between travelling around China or the USA. I choose China, spent over a year travelling and finally settled in Hong Kong where I have many friends.
Recently you went back to play at Manchester. Why?
I hadn’t been back for nearly three years and it’s fantastic – I played at an amazing gig in Manchester last Saturday night to 1,400 people. Manchester is a wicked city and the music scene is so vibrant. To talk with my friends who produce music is
one of the reasons I came back – to know what is happening with the dance scene, to gain knowledge and ideas that I can take back with me to Hong Kong, especially in the setting up of my label.
How is your new records label, Punk Pussy Records, different from anything you have done before?
It is very different and the main reason is because we live in a digital era, vinyl isn’t the main format anymore – it’s the MP3. So setting out the business model for the label is completely different. I have to say it is easier and more exciting because I love technology – I’m a gadget freak and love how technology has progressed since I started and how the MP3 has changed the music industry. The label is going to focus on dance music and down-tempo beats – our main medium for promoting and marketing the label will be the internet, which makes it easier for us to market and promote to a huge audience – basically the world.
But what’s with the name?
The name Punk Pussy comes from a crazy cat that lives near me on Lamma and looks like a punk pussy.
The coming gig at Beijing Club will be a Halloween party – tell us about your craziest Halloween.
I was at a friend’s house in England and being silly – like I always am – and was wearing a scary mask. A few of us went roaming the streets scaring people. I decided to hide behind a car to scare a couple walking down the road and as they got near I jumped out growling like a demented man. I scared them so much that the boyfriend out of panic punched me in the face! (laughs)
Trick or Treat – which one do you go for?
Got to be trick because I’m a cheeky, silly Manc.
DJ Nipper will play at Beijing Club’s Halloween Horror on October 31. The party starts at midnight and entry is $300 at the door.
Beat‘nTracks
spinning round the clubs
October 16
Armani Exchange and Beijing Club invite you to celebrate the New A|X Flagship Store at Beijing Club, 2-8 Wellington Street, Central, 2526 8298.
October 17
DJ Kaskade supported by DJ Forest and Preston Lau. Party starts at 10:30pm at CLIQ. Entry is $220 advance from all HMV stores, CLIQ and Flat Six, and $260 at door with a drink.
2/F, 1 On Hing Terrace, Central.
Club PP brings the rocking duo of DJ Dennis Christopher and MC La Voce. Entry is $120 including one drink for ladies, and $300 with two drinks for gentlemen. The party kicks off at 10pm. Unit 3-5, UG2, Chinachem Golden Plaza, 77 Mody Road, 2739 1084.
M1NT presents popular French DJ, and hip-hop sensation Cut Killer spinning his magic. Cover charge is $200 and party starts from 10pm. 108 Hollywood Road, Central, 2261 1111.
October 18
Having performed for big brands such as Versace, Chanel and Xavier, Tommie Sunshine, who specialises in DJing for fashion shows is bringing down the house at Q97.
Free entry before 11pm; after 11 pm, $200 with a drink. 32 D’Aguilar Street, Central,
3110 1222
DJ Kid Cal, Drafus, Mike the Unstoppable, Romantic Eddie and Jay Pelmet spin for Choc-ice or Vienetta? at Sammi Kitchen. Party starts at 10pm and cover is $100 with one drink. 137-139 Connaught Road, Sheung Wan, 3114 8186.
DJ Andy Ward spins at
Dragon I. The door charge for the night is $300 and the gig starts after midnight. UG/F, 60 Wyndham Street, 3110 1222.
October 23
Sky 21 is now open in
Tsim Sha Tsui. And every Wednesday and Thursday is Ladies Night. Get a free entry with 2 drinks. For gentlemen, free entry is before 11:30pm. After, you pay $120 and get two drinks 1/F Katherine House, 53-55 Chatham Road South, TST, 2369 7933.
October 24
‘Wicked’ on the 5th floor brings five DJs blasting house music. Tonight, DJ Tynee, (Tech/ Mini-mal/Electro), 12 am onwards. $300 on the door, 21+. Beijing Club, 2-8 Wellington Street, Central, 2526 8298.
October 25
British sensation Smokin Jo plays at Dragon I. Entry: $300 and the gig starts after midnight. UG/F, 60 Wyndham Street, Central, 3110 1222.
October 31
Mask-o-ween party at Q97: wear a mask, costumes are optional. 10pm until late, free entry before 11, $150+1 drink afterwards. 32 D’Aguilar Street, 3110 1222. |
