Taiwan Grooves

Hey everyone, welcome back to our conversation with the talented artist David Clark IV, also known as DCIV. In the first part of our discussion last week, we explored his journey of fully committing to his solo project and his transition from producing to rapping. Today, we will dive into the origins of his latest album, *Lost, Then Found*. We'll also get a behind-the-scenes look at the making of some of his songs and discuss the importance of performing tracks before recording them. Additionally, he will share which song was the hardest to finish and his thoughts on the use of AI in creating art.

About DCIV:

"I'm DCIV. I make music, photos, videos, and whatever else feels honest. I rap, sing, produce, mix. I shoot, direct, and document. Some of it's personal, some of it's for other artists, some of it just comes out and needs a place to live. This site is where I'm collecting all of it. Stuff I've put out, stuff I'm still figuring out. Nothing fancy. Just the work. I'm based in Taiwan. Open to building with good people worldwide."

For more info about his music, please visit:

Spotify

IG

https://www.dcivmusic.com/

In today's episode, I'm joined by David Clark IV, also known as DCIV. He is an artist based in Taiwan who engages in various aspects of music, including rapping, singing, producing, mixing, and creating visuals that capture his work and life.

In the first part of our conversation, we will discuss his journey of fully committing to his solo project, his transition from producing to rapping, and how both elements of his music began. We will also explore his early influences, what brought him to Taipei, and how seizing that opportunity shaped his path. DCIV will share insights on what makes a performance feel genuine and memorable and will reflect on the moment he created his first song.

About DCIV:

"I'm DCIV. I make music, photos, videos, and whatever else feels honest. I rap, sing, produce, mix. I shoot, direct, and document. Some of it's personal, some of it's for other artists, some of it just comes out and needs a place to live. This site is where I'm collecting all of it. Stuff I've put out, stuff I'm still figuring out. Nothing fancy. Just the work. I'm based in Taiwan. Open to building with good people worldwide."

For more info about his music, please visit:

Spotify

IG

https://www.dcivmusic.com/

Welcome to part II of our interview with all five members of the band Tiger Island. Last week, we learned about each member and how they came together as a band, along with some of their most memorable experiences with fans. In today’s episode, we will discuss some of their songs and their marketing strategies for promoting their music. They will also share their thoughts on the blurring lines between indie and pop music. If you haven't listened to the first episode yet, be sure to check it out. For those of you who have, sit back and enjoy the show!

虎小島 Tiger Island is a Taiwan-based indie pop band led by dual vocalists. Through interwoven male and female voices, they portray inner dialogues, blending atmosphere pop, dream pop, and cinematic rock into evocative, image-driven arrangements, turning unspoken emotions into lines meant to be sung together.

To learn more about the band, please follow:

IG

Facebook

StreetVoice

Spotify

Hello and welcome to today’s full-house episode featuring all five members of the Taiwanese band Tiger Island! In the first part of the interview, the band members will share how they met and formed the group, their creative writing process, and where they find inspiration. Next, they will discuss their favorite fan interactions from live shows and provide an overview of what they hope listeners feel when listening to their music.

虎小島 Tiger Island is a Taiwan-based indie pop band led by dual vocalists. Through interwoven male and female voices, they portray inner dialogues, blending atmosphere pop, dream pop, and cinematic rock into evocative, image-driven arrangements, turning unspoken emotions into lines meant to be sung together.

To know more about the band, please follow:

IG

Facebook

StreetVoice

Spotify

Welcome to the second part of our interview with Aysanabee, a Canadian Indigenous singer-songwriter who recently performed at a music festival in Taiwan. In today’s discussion, we will explore his experiences performing for a Taiwanese audience, the relationship between social media following and selling out shows, and his recent musical evolution. He will also share his insights on the music industry, including ticketing conglomerates, and provide a breakdown of two of his songs. I hope you'll enjoy the conversation!

Aysanabee is a multi-JUNO Award–winning Indigenous (Oji-Cree) singer-songwriter whose music blends alternative, indie-folk, and rock influences into a sound that is both intimate and expansive. Known for his emotionally resonant songwriting and unmistakable voice, Aysanabee has quickly become one of Canada’s most compelling contemporary artists, earning national acclaim for his artistry and storytelling.

Aysanabee’s music has garnered widespread critical praise and industry recognition. From “Nomads” and “Somebody Else” to “Home”, his music has become a staple on Canadian alternative and alt-rock formats while receiving consistent airplay across commercial radio, CBC and SiriusXM. His ability to connect deeply with listeners has made tracks like “Dream Catcher” standouts, with the original version, released last summer, becoming a fan favorite and a defining moment of his recent tours.

Renowned for his powerful live performances, Aysanabee has built a reputation as a must-see artist on stage. Whether performing in intimate theatres or on major festival stages, his shows are marked by raw honesty, magnetic presence, and a rare emotional connection with audiences. His now global performance history has created a loyal fan base and made him a standout performer across the country.

Continuing this momentum, Aysanabee has just announced Timelines, a new EP reimagining fan-favorite songs, set for release on March 20th. Two tracks, “Nomads (Timelines Acoustic)” and “Dream Catcher (Acoustic)” are already available digitally, offering a stripped-back, deeply personal glimpse into the songs that have defined his journey.

IG

https://www.aysanabee.com/

Spotify

In today's episode, we have another world traveler, Aysanabee, whom I met during his tour in Taiwan for the Jade Music Fest. In the first part of our interview, we will discuss his meeting with my last-week's guest, Tennyson, and his journey to Taiwan. We'll also talk about his rituals before the show to prepare mentally and how he began playing guitar.

Aysanabee is a multi-JUNO Award–winning Indigenous (Oji-Cree) singer-songwriter whose music blends alternative, indie-folk, and rock influences into a sound that is both intimate and expansive. Known for his emotionally resonant songwriting and unmistakable voice, Aysanabee has quickly become one of Canada’s most compelling contemporary artists, earning national acclaim for his artistry and storytelling.

Aysanabee’s music has garnered widespread critical praise and industry recognition. From “Nomads” and “Somebody Else” to “Home”, his music has become a staple on Canadian alternative and alt-rock formats while receiving consistent airplay across commercial radio, CBC and SiriusXM. His ability to connect deeply with listeners has made tracks like “Dream Catcher” standouts, with the original version, released last summer, becoming a fan favorite and a defining moment of his recent tours.

Renowned for his powerful live performances, Aysanabee has built a reputation as a must-see artist on stage. Whether performing in intimate theatres or on major festival stages, his shows are marked by raw honesty, magnetic presence, and a rare emotional connection with audiences. His now global performance history has created a loyal fan base and made him a standout performer across the country.

Continuing this momentum, Aysanabee has just announced Timelines, a new EP reimagining fan-favorite songs, set for release on March 20th. Two tracks, “Nomads (Timelines Acoustic)” and “Dream Catcher (Acoustic)” are already available digitally, offering a stripped-back, deeply personal glimpse into the songs that have defined his journey.

IG

https://www.aysanabee.com/

Spotify

Join me today for a quick backstage interview with Tennyson King, who has returned for a festival and ended up staying for an entire month of shows and travel. In our conversation, we'll discuss the significance of Taiwan to him, his early influences, and the themes of his upcoming albums. We'll also have the chance to hear some of his songs and explore some aspects of life as a touring musician that people may not realize.

Tennyson King 百城 is an award-winning, nomadic folk musician whose life and music stretch between Hong Kong and Canada. A lifelong traveller at heart, he draws inspiration from the road, bringing his songs to audiences across continents. Blending Western indie-folk with traditional Chinese influences, he creates music that bridges cultures with warmth, honesty, and a spirit of connection.

Performing in English, Mandarin, and Cantonese, Tennyson builds his sound around rhythmic guitar, kick drum, and traditional instruments like the zhongruan—crafting a live show that feels both intimate and expansive. His concerts are filled with playful stories from his travels, interactive moments, and a contagious positivity that transforms rooms of strangers into a shared community.

He has performed around the world, including a career highlight appearance at Glastonbury Festival, and earned a nomination for Performing Artist of the Year at the Ontario Folk Music Awards. No matter the stage or country, Tennyson brings an infectious energy that makes audiences feel both grounded and uplifted.

At its core, his music feels like a warm hug for the soul—rooted in connection and carried by smooth vocals and the steady heartbeat of his kick drum. It’s an experience that lingers long after the final note fades.

For more information about Tennyson and his music, please visit: https://tennysonking.com/

Welcome back! You are joining us for the second part of our interview with Daniel Black, a New York rapper currently based in Taiwan.

In our previous discussion, we explored how his NYC roots have influenced his sound and his collaborations with local artists and beatmakers. Today, we will shift our focus to his lyric-writing process, the subjects he prefers to avoid, and some of his songs that feature samples. Additionally, he will share his plans for upcoming releases this year and how he intends to promote them.

Once again, let's welcome Daniel to the studio for our second episode.

Daniel Black is an artist hailing from Jackson Heights, Queens, NY. His focus with his art so far has been storytelling. Whether the trials and lessons learned growing up in NYC or his travels and seeing how vast and amazingly awesome the world can be. All of that and more can be found in the lyrics of his music.

A lot of his influences do come from the hip hop found in NYC, but his overall love of music ( good music) is where he dives deep and comes back up with something that resonates with him and then makes it his own. From Nas to The Gorillaz, Mr. Black moves through genres looking for inspiration and dope sounds and puts them in the blender that is his mind and hopes you like the result.

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

IG

Spotify

Apple Music

Thank you for joining me today for Taiwan Grooves. In today's episode, I have the pleasure of welcoming Daniel Black, a rapper who brings a fresh New York perspective to Taiwan's evolving music scene. We will explore how his NYC roots have influenced his sound, his contributions to the diversity of Taiwan's music scene, and how he is giving back to the Taipei community. Additionally, we will discuss the growing rap scene in Taiwan and his collaborations with local artists and beatmakers.

Daniel Black is an artist hailing from Jackson Heights, Queens, NY. His focus with his art so far has been storytelling. Whether the trials and lessons learned growing up in NYC or his travels and seeing how vast and amazingly awesome the world can be. All of that and more can be found in the lyrics of his music.

A lot of his influences do come from the hip hop found in NYC, but his overall love of music ( good music) is where he dives deep and comes back up with something that resonates with him and then makes it his own. From Nas to The Gorillaz, Mr. Black moves through genres looking for inspiration and dope sounds and puts them in the blender that is his mind and hopes you like the result.

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

IG

Spotify

Apple Music

Welcome to today's Part II with the three band members of How Many Hippos! Last week, we discussed how each member learned to play their instruments, how they formed the band, and the story behind their unique name. Today's episode focuses on some of their influences that shape their songs, how well their style is accepted in Taiwan, their future marketing plan, and clips of their favorite songs from their latest album, Hippopuzzlemus.

How Many Hippos (幾何碼) is a band founded in 2023 by YuChia Wang (bass), Shan Lin (piano), and FlyingPP (drums). The band aims to blend elements of breakbeats, drum and bass, and other electronic rhythms into the mainstream and jazz music scenes.

Their musical inspiration is drawn from images, seeking to interpret various visual concepts through timbre, rhythm, melody, and more. Geometry is the primary visual theme they explore, which is why the keyword "geometry" is emphasized. They also incorporate a variety of sounds as codes to represent visual images that they analyze and integrate into their arrangements, making "code" another significant term. This merging of concepts is what "Geometric Code (幾何碼)" signifies.

In Chinese, "Geometric Code" also has a playful pun that translates to "How Many Hippos."

For more information about the members and their music, please go to:

StreetVoice

IG

Spotify