July 15, 2005
News | Taiwan Chronicle #5: Stranger than Paradise |
As an expatriate destination, the draw of Taiwan is not exactly self-evident. Despite being frequently mistaken for it in conversation, Taiwan is not Thailand-- you’d have to be smoking something really strong to mistake the tobacco-leaf shaped island for an island paradise. Yet many foreigners do come, often to teach English, and some hearty souls stay on for years. In this fifth and final chapter of the Taiwan Chronicles, we take a look at four foreigners involved in Taiwan music.
Islander of Sound
Marty Hodulick spent only a year or so teaching in Taiwan, but managed to quickly immerse himself in the indie music scene, earning the friendship and respect of numerous local bands. Upon his return to the States he put together the most comprehensive resource on Taiwanese indies I’ve seen, the website Island of Sound. I doubt there’s any other site (even in Chinese) that treats the scene with such respect and evenhandedness. If you want to learn about what happening in Taiwan punk, indie rock and electronica, this is the one-stop shop.
A Moving Sound
Classically trained musician Scott Prairie (photo) found himself in Taiwan for a reason that probably ranks second only to English teaching in bringing youthful foreigners to her shores—love. Scott met dancer and future wife Mia Hsieh in New York and their collaborations eventually led them back to Mia’s home. Now based in Taipei, the pair co-lead A Moving Sound, a multi-culti/multi-media experience that breezes beyond the limitations of the words “band” or “dance troupe.” Scott, who plays electric bass and french horn in the ensemble, composes for disparate instruments such as Chinese erhu and African drums, setting the stage for Mia’s vocal and kinetic explorations. Their TCM release Little Universe received high praise from no less than Paul Fisher and the live experience promises to be really fun. I hope to catch them when they pass through Chicago on tour later this year.
Sax Man and Then Some
I’ll let this renaissance man speak for himself…
Hi, my name is Corbett Wall, but most people know me by my Chinese name, 高培華, and I'm into the second third of my life. I'm an Okinawan/Denver hybrid named after an old heavyweight boxer, who started traveling internationally at the age of three. I play the saxophone, have three cats, a dog, and a wife who loves me. We all live in the mountains near Taipei. For the past 16 years, I've created a fantastic life here in Asia. Much more than most "foreigners" really ever get to see. I think I was probably the first foreign local "pop star" in Taiwan. This took me all over the region and I got to travel and live a pretty happening rock and roll lifestyle. I sold a lot of records making pop saxophone music, and got to wear some nice suits. (From his website.)
I briefly met Corbett at this point in his life when I purchased a plane ticket from him. It was the mid-90’s and Kenny G was all the rage. Corbett was playing similar instrumental sax music, though he was better looking. He really was a star in Taiwan. I remember thinking his life must be pretty surreal. Over the years he’s kept things interesting by starting a small technology company, working with a non-profit organization, recording in Japan and opening the Living Room, a popular and friendly performance space/restaurant/bar. I’d say he really is making the most out of the Taiwan experience.
Robot Action Boy
Finally, I must mention my friend William, who runs the entertaining Taiwan blog Robot Action Boy. It’s through William that I leaned about Taipei’s little-known weekend morning flea market, the other vinyl hunting ground where I found some success. An avid film and music collector, his site is a great place to learn about cultural events on the island such as the Grass Festival, which we attended together. He’s also the man who taught me the word nakashi.