ChinaTalk

Taiwan indie music 101, the Taipei underground and tankie rappers

Mar 31, 2022

Brian Hioe, a Taipei-based DJ and New Bloom editor, dives into Taiwan’s indie music scene, shedding light on its sociopolitical context. He explores how indigenous communities influence music, and the challenges artists face earning a living in Taiwan versus China. The conversation also touches on his Twitter clashes with tankie rappers, a unique indie music dating app, and the surprising impact of celebrity scandals, like Wang Leehom's divorce, on national discussions about culture and women's treatment in society.

58:33

Creator website

Episode guests

Brian Hioe

AI Chapters

Episode notes

Intro

3min

The Indie Music Evolution in Taiwan

27min

Celebrity Divorce Sparks Public Controversy and Societal Discussion

2min

Exploring Celebrity Scandals and Indie Music Trends

4min

Indie Music and Politics in Taiwan

18min

Exploring Taiwan's Indie Music and Underground Scene

3min

Taipei-based DJ and New Bloom editor Brian Hioe (@brianhioe) takes us on a tour of the local indie music scene and explains what some of last year’s top tunes can tell us about Taiwanese politics and culture, from the influence of indigenous communities to attitudes towards China.

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