Taiwan Grooves

In today’s episode, we will continue our conversation with henÿ, an indie-pop artist, songwriter, and producer known for blending lo-fi textures, groove-driven production, and lyrics in both English and Mandarin. Last week, we discussed how henÿ began making music, the artists who influenced his sound, and his journey from picking up the guitar to writing, producing, and releasing his own songs.

Today, we will explore how he brings his songs to life beyond the recording process. He will talk about his enjoyment of working with session musicians and the new ideas that come from collaboration. Henÿ will share the stories behind songs like “Bet You” and “Sunday Afternoon,” including the inspirations that shaped them and the creative choices that make them unique.

We’ll also address the challenges faced by independent artists in Taiwan, the pressure to stand out in a crowded music scene, and how streaming and AI influence their sound. Henÿ will reflect on what motivates him, like hearing that his music helped someone through their day, and share his hopes for audiences at his live shows.

henÿ is a Taiwanese bedroom pop artist, songwriter, and producer based in New Taipei City. Blending Bedroom pop, Indie pop, and Lo-fi influences, he creates intimate soundscapes through conversational bilingual storytelling.

Since releasing his debut EP 磨合期 Phase Issues, his music has been featured by KKBOX Rising Star. Also featured on playlists such as Spotify Fresh Finds Taiwan and many other editorial

playlists. Currently, henÿ is preparing his debut full-length album while continuing to document the uncertainty, romance, and everyday moments of his generation through music.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

• Featured as a KKBOX Rising Star (2024)

• Semi-finalist, Taoyuan Iron Rose Music Festival Competition (2025)

• Finalist, H.O.T. Music Competition (2025)

• Top 10 Finalist, Taipei Music Non-Stop (2026)

• Winner, Chiayi Jhulou Rock Festival New Artist Selection (2026)henÿ is a Taiwanese bedroom pop artist, songwriter, and producer based in New Taipei City. He blends elements of bedroom pop, indie pop, and lo-fi influences to create intimate soundscapes through conversational bilingual storytelling.

For more information about henÿ, please visit:

IG

YouTube

Spotify

Welcome to today’s episode of Taiwan Grooves. I’m joined by henÿ an indie-pop artist, songwriter, and producer whose music blends lo-fi textures, groove-driven production, and lyrics in both English and Mandarin. In the first half of our conversation, we talk about how henÿ started making music, the artists who shaped his sound, and the journey from picking up the guitar to writing, producing, and releasing his own songs. He will also share how he keeps his songs personal, the significance of groove elements in his music, and the importance of keeping things simple. Enjoy!

henÿ is a Taiwanese bedroom pop artist, songwriter, and producer based in New Taipei City. Blending Bedroom pop, Indie pop, and Lo-fi influences, he creates intimate soundscapes through conversational bilingual storytelling.

Since releasing his debut EP 磨合期 Phase Issues, his music has been featured by KKBOX Rising Star. Also featured on playlists such as Spotify Fresh Finds Taiwan and many other editorial

playlists. Currently, henÿ is preparing his debut full-length album while continuing to document the uncertainty, romance, and everyday moments of his generation through music.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

• Featured as a KKBOX Rising Star (2024)

• Semi-finalist, Taoyuan Iron Rose Music Festival Competition (2025)

• Finalist, H.O.T. Music Competition (2025)

• Top 10 Finalist, Taipei Music Non-Stop (2026)

• Winner, Chiayi Jhulou Rock Festival New Artist Selection (2026)henÿ is a Taiwanese bedroom pop artist, songwriter, and producer based in New Taipei City. He blends elements of bedroom pop, indie pop, and lo-fi influences to create intimate soundscapes through conversational bilingual storytelling.

For more information about henÿ, please visit:

IG

YouTube

Spotify

Hello, and thank you for joining us for the second part of our interview with the talented voice and creative artist, Dory, also known as Dodo. She is a member of the a cappella group The Wanted and a solo artist with a unique approach to music.

In our first episode, we explored how Dory discovered her passion for music, learned harmonies from a young age, and became part of an internationally performing a cappella group. In this second episode, we will break down two of her songs and discuss the freedoms and limitations of pursuing a solo project compared to being in an a cappella group. Dory will also share some inspiring words for future artists. We hope you enjoy it!

Dorry Chien is a Taiwanese a cappella vocalist, arranger, and creator known as a soprano and arranger for the vocal band 尋人啟事 The Wanted, as well as a solo creator sharing demos on platforms like StreetVoice and YouTube.

For more info about Dorry and The Wanted, please visit:

https://streetvoice.com/dorrychien/songs/

YouTube

What happens when a singer, raised in choir music and opera, decides to forge her own path? In this episode, I'm joined by Dory, also known as Dodo, a member of the a cappella group The Wanted and a solo artist with a unique approach to music.

In our first episode, we discussed how Dory discovered her passion for music, learned harmonies from a young age, and became part of an internationally performing a cappella group. Dory explains how The Wanted creates music using only their voices and why strong rhythm and teamwork are essential in a cappella.

We will also explore her solo project, the source of inspiration, and the creative freedom she finds with loopers, vocoders, and layered harmonies. Dory shares personal stories behind her songs, touching on themes of illness, love, and hope for the future. So join us and find out what goes on behind the scenes in the world of a cappella and vocals.

Dorry Chien is a Taiwanese a cappella vocalist, arranger, and creator known as a soprano and arranger for the vocal band 尋人啟事 The Wanted, as well as a solo creator sharing demos on platforms like StreetVoice and YouTube.

For more info about Dorry and The Wanted, please visit:

https://streetvoice.com/dorrychien/songs/

YouTube

Hello and welcome back to getting to know CJ MiT! He is a singer-songwriter from Taiwan whose first album, *My Words*, was very successful. Today, we will continue from where we left off last week to explore why he chooses to write his songs primarily in Taiwanese and how he learned music production through YouTube.

CJ will also share the equipment he used to record the album and his plans for upgrades. Additionally, we will discuss his new album ideas and break down some of his tracks. Enjoy!

CJ will also discuss the significant improvements he made through singing lessons and the jobs he held while studying in North America. We’ll conclude by delving into his songwriting process, the essential elements that precede it, and begin discussing his first album.

CJ MiT (謝金融) is a singer-songwriter and producer from Taichung, Taiwan. His self-produced debut album, “My Words” (《我說》), received four nominations at the 37th Golden Melody Awards in 2026, including Best New Artist, Best Taiwanese Male Singer, Best Taiwanese Album, and Album of the Year. He started playing piano at the age of eight and later studied in the United States on a scholarship, earning dual master’s degrees. A right-hand injury eventually led him to explore singing and pop music, shifting his focus away from classical performance.

About two years ago, CJ left his teaching job in the U.S. to return to Taiwan. He taught himself arrangement and mixing through YouTube and began building his career by taking on small gigs and competing in competitions.

“My Words” is a largely DIY album, recorded, arranged, and mixed at home with a production budget of under NT$30,000. It blends R&B, country, jazz, blues, musical theater, and orchestral elements into Taiwanese-language songs. The album is deeply personal, dealing with themes of staying with someone until the end, especially following the recent passing of his father. CJ has expressed that his biggest regret is that his father was unable to witness his Golden Melody nominations.

The “MiT” in his stage name stands for “Made in Taiwan,” chosen to enhance searchability and to affirm his identity as a Taiwan-based artist. He describes his work as a way to transform his classical foundation into a personal musical language and expresses a desire to keep evolving stylistically with each new album.

For more information about CJ, please visit:

IG

Apple Music

Spotify

Thank you for tuning in to your weekly exploration of talented musicians based in Taiwan! Today, I’m excited to be joined by CJ, a Taiwanese singer-songwriter and producer who has experienced a blessing in disguise. In the first part of our conversation, he will share how he began playing the piano and what led him to shift his focus from classical performance.

CJ will also discuss the significant improvements he made through singing lessons and the jobs he held while studying in North America. We’ll conclude by delving into his songwriting process, the essential elements that precede it, and begin discussing his first album.

CJ MiT (謝金融) is a singer-songwriter and producer from Taichung, Taiwan. His self-produced debut album, “My Words” (《我說》), received four nominations at the 37th Golden Melody Awards in 2026, including Best New Artist, Best Taiwanese Male Singer, Best Taiwanese Album, and Album of the Year. He started playing piano at the age of eight and later studied in the United States on a scholarship, earning dual master’s degrees. A right-hand injury eventually led him to explore singing and pop music, shifting his focus away from classical performance.

About two years ago, CJ left his teaching job in the U.S. to return to Taiwan. He taught himself arrangement and mixing through YouTube and began building his career by taking on small gigs and competing in competitions.

“My Words” is a largely DIY album, recorded, arranged, and mixed at home with a production budget of under NT$30,000. It blends R&B, country, jazz, blues, musical theater, and orchestral elements into Taiwanese-language songs. The album is deeply personal, dealing with themes of staying with someone until the end, especially following the recent passing of his father. CJ has expressed that his biggest regret is that his father was unable to witness his Golden Melody nominations.

The “MiT” in his stage name stands for “Made in Taiwan,” chosen to enhance searchability and to affirm his identity as a Taiwan-based artist. He describes his work as a way to transform his classical foundation into a personal musical language and expresses a desire to keep evolving stylistically with each new album.

For more information about CJ, please visit:

IG

Apple Music

Spotify

Good day, and thank you for tuning in to Taiwan Grooves. In today’s episode, we continue our conversation with singer, songwriter, and composer Max Lee from Project Maximus.

Last week, we discussed his recent performances and his transition from being part of a fixed band to embracing the flexibility of a solo project. We explored the new opportunities this shift has created. In today’s episode, we will delve deeper into this topic, examine what makes a performance engaging, and listen to some of his latest tracks after a decade-long hiatus. Additionally, we’ll discuss his plans for recording and releasing new music. We will conclude with his innovative ideas for enhancing his social media presence to promote his work.

So sit back, relax, and once again, welcome Max Lee. Let’s dive in!

In 2022, Maxwell Lee moved to Taipei after being awarded a Gold Card from the Taiwan Ministry of Culture for excellence in the arts. He maintains a busy performing schedule as a primary member of the punk rock band Electric Monk, the dark art rock trio Hive Mind, LoFi group Ai Mao Yuan, and his own pop rock band Project Maximus. Maxwell also frequently features as a guest performer with artists including the Church of Loops, Mr. Bamboostick, Taiwan Beer spokesperson Billy Walshaw and Hits! The Musical cast member Lili Greenberg.

With 22 years of classical training, Maxwell has enjoyed roles as a performer, educator and adjudicator. He has performed in concert halls in the US, Europe, and Asia. He also previously served as a professor of music at Florida State College in Jacksonville and as a frequent judge for the upper divisions of numerous local and state competitions.

Maxwell received a master of music degree from Northwestern University in the studio of Alan Chow. He has also studied under the tutelage of Arkady Aronov (Manhattan School of Music) Paul Schenly (Cleveland Institute of Music) and Boris Slutsky (Peabody Conservatory).

As a violinist, Maxwell served as the concertmaster of his civic youth orchestra and received certificates in string pedagogy from the University of Florida and Northwestern. He also plays guitar and bass in a few of his bands.

For more information about Max and his music, please visit:

YouTube

Facebook

Spotify

Hello and thank you for tuning in to Taiwan Grooves for today’s episode featuring singer, songwriter, and composer Max Lee from Project Maximus.

In the first part of the interview, we discussed various topics, including his recent performances, his transition from being part of a fixed band to embracing the flexibility of a solo project, and the new opportunities this shift has created, among other subjects.

So, let’s welcome Max Lee back to the show!

In 2022, Maxwell Lee moved to Taipei after being awarded a Gold Card from the Taiwan Ministry of Culture for excellence in the arts. He maintains a busy performing schedule as a primary member of the punk rock band Electric Monk, the dark art rock trio Hive Mind, LoFi group Ai Mao Yuan, and his own pop rock band Project Maximus. Maxwell also frequently features as a guest performer with artists including the Church of Loops, Mr. Bamboostick, Taiwan Beer spokesperson Billy Walshaw and Hits! The Musical cast member Lili Greenberg.

With 22 years of classical training, Maxwell has enjoyed roles as a performer, educator and adjudicator. He has performed in concert halls in the US, Europe, and Asia. He also previously served as a professor of music at Florida State College in Jacksonville and as a frequent judge for the upper divisions of numerous local and state competitions.

Maxwell received a master of music degree from Northwestern University in the studio of Alan Chow. He has also studied under the tutelage of Arkady Aronov (Manhattan School of Music) Paul Schenly (Cleveland Institute of Music) and Boris Slutsky (Peabody Conservatory).

As a violinist, Maxwell served as the concertmaster of his civic youth orchestra and received certificates in string pedagogy from the University of Florida and Northwestern. He also plays guitar and bass in a few of his bands.

For more information about Max and his music, please visit:

YouTube

Facebook

Spotify

Hello and thank you for tuning in! Today, I am once again joined by Chet and Sam, two members of the indie rock band AlexisWhirl. In last week’s discussion, they shared the band's origins, how they fell in love with playing music, and their recent success in a battle of the bands, among other topics. This episode will cover the challenges of finding the right band dynamics, their unique approaches to the creative process, future recording plans, and their perspectives on what a live performance and studio tracks should be like. So let's welcome the two members and start off with how they met.

Alexiswhirl is a Taiwan-based indie/alternative rock band blending raw guitar riffs, catchy melodies, and modern indie textures with an energetic live sound. Their music moves between driving guitars, atmospheric moments and darker, more introspective songwriting, creating a sound that is both melodic and unapologetic.

Formed with a love for live music and original songwriting, Alexiswhirl have quickly built a reputation for energetic performances and a growing collection of original material. Their debut EP, There’s Always One, is now available on Spotify, Apple Music, STREETVOICE and SoundCloud.

With new songs, shows and plenty more to come, Alexiswhirl are a band still finding their sound — while making sure they have a bloody good time along the way.

For more information about Alexiswhirl, please visit:

StreetVoice

Spotify

IG

Hello and welcome to today’s episode! I’m excited to be joined by the indie rock band AlexIsWhirl. In this episode, we will discuss how they formed as a band, the story behind their name, and when they first started playing their instruments. They will also share what it took to win their recent Battle of the Bands in Taiwan and their perspective on the local music scene. Stay tuned for an insightful look at their songwriting, rehearsing, and live performances in Taipei!

Alexiswhirl is a Taiwan-based indie/alternative rock band blending raw guitar riffs, catchy melodies, and modern indie textures with an energetic live sound. Their music moves between driving guitars, atmospheric moments and darker, more introspective songwriting, creating a sound that is both melodic and unapologetic.

Formed with a love for live music and original songwriting, Alexiswhirl have quickly built a reputation for energetic performances and a growing collection of original material. Their debut EP, There’s Always One, is now available on Spotify, Apple Music, STREETVOICE and SoundCloud.

With new songs, shows and plenty more to come, Alexiswhirl are a band still finding their sound — while making sure they have a bloody good time along the way.

For more information about Alexiswhirl, please visit:

StreetVoice

Spotify

IG