Taiwan Grooves

Join us as we explore the creative world of music with Lili Greenberg, a talented singer, songwriter, and dancer. In this episode, you will find out how her upbringing in the multicultural neighborhoods of New York City, along with the influence of musical theater and her family, has shaped her artistic journey. Lili reflects on the challenges and triumphs of touring as a performer, shares insights into the music scene in Taipei, and discusses its impact on her personal growth.

She also shares personal stories of self-discovery and emphasizes the importance of being present. And don't forget to tune in next week for part two, where Lili will analyze her songs and share more about her life in Taipei.

Lili Greenberg is a multidisciplinary artist whose work lives at the intersection of joy, community, and human connection. A singer, songwriter, and dancer, Lili uses her voice and body as instruments to tell stories, spark emotion, and invite others into shared experience.

Raised in New York City and deeply influenced by both the sounds of the streets and the music of her synagogue, Lili’s artistic identity blends raw emotion with vibrant rhythm. Her songs often explore the love we didn’t get to have, the ache of longing, and the beauty found in honest expression—yet they always carry a through-line of hope, humor, and connection.

Her performances are not just shows—they’re gatherings. Whether on a small stage, in a festival field, or in an intimate living room, Lili crafts each moment with warmth and intentionality. Through soulful melodies and lyrical vulnerability, she makes space for audiences to feel seen and heard.

Her medium is music and movement. Her mission is to bring people closer.

Whether she’s singing about unspoken feelings or dancing with abandon, Lili Greenberg’s work reminds us that joy is a powerful form of resistance—and that art is, at its best, a communal act.

To find out more about her art, please visit:

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Hello and welcome! Today, we will continue our conversation with Taipei-based musician Max Lee, who originally hails from Florida. In this second part of the interview, we will discuss memorable performances, the dynamics of collaborating with other musicians, and the challenges of rehearsing and recording music. Max will share his excitement about discovering new venues for acoustic sets and the ongoing struggle of promoting music in a competitive landscape. Our conversation will emphasize the importance of teamwork in music and the need for a well-prepared band.

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

In today's conversation, Max returns to discuss his musical journey since his last appearance. He shares insights into his performances, the challenges he faces with different venues, and the evolution of his projects. Max reflects on his songwriting process, the importance of collaboration, and the need for effective promotion in today's saturated music landscape. He expresses a desire to balance his creative output with opportunities for performance, aiming to ensure his music reaches a wider audience.

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

Greetings! Join us for today’s discussion with Mamasay Records and three of its bands as they visit and tour around Taiwan. We will feature BESTFRIEND, deLight, and jinsungyoon. In the second part of the interview, they will share insights on the popularity of busking in Japan and Korea. Additionally, BESTFRIEND will discuss their latest album, and deLight will describe the inspiration behind some of her songs. We will also hear samples of their music and learn how they manage performances.

Mamasay Records, a South Korean music label, is different from the beginning.

We didn't start to sell music, but to do music. We live as musicians, which is not just an occupation. It contains philosophy, emotions, and techniques. These are all in our lives. We hope you live listening to good music. We hope Young generations to grow up like that. Life without music is just about livelihood.

There is a music playground called 'Mamasay' here. Don't compare yourself to others, or try to applaud us. This is a hideout that proves that music is a pure pleasure. All you got to do is just like us. Follow us, then you can experience the real 'well-being' like us.

For more information about the artists, please visit: https://www.mamasayrecords.com/

Hello and welcome! Today, we'll explore some K-rock! We have Mamasay Records in the studio, bringing three of their bands to showcase and tour around Taiwan, including BESTFRIEND, deLight, and jinsungyoon. We'll discuss the label's mission, what sets them apart, why BESTFRIEND is based in Osaka, and how bands are selected to be managed.

Mamasay Records, a South Korean music label, is different from the beginning.

We didn't start to sell music, but to do music. We live as musicians, which is not just an occupation. It contains philosophy, emotions, and techniques. These are all in our lives. We hope you live listening to good music. We hope Young generations to grow up like that. Life without music is just about livelihood.

There is a music playground called 'Mamasay' here. Don't compare yourself to others, or try to applaud us. This is a hideout that proves that music is a pure pleasure. All you got to do is just like us. Follow us, then you can experience the real 'well-being' like us.

For more information about the artists, please visit: https://www.mamasayrecords.com/

Today, we will continue our discussion about learning the guitar with Drew. Building on our conversation from last week's episode, we will explore which guitar players have had the greatest influence on his playing style. Additionally, Drew will share his personal teaching philosophy and offer some special advice on how to manage performance anxiety.

Growing up in a musical household, music was always a part of Drew’s life for as long as he can remember. He was constantly playing something — starting with piano (like many Asian kids, not exactly by choice), then trumpet, drums, and eventually guitar. He took a couple of semesters of guitar lessons in high school, but admits he wasn’t that into it at the time. That all changed in college when he bought an electric guitar and his roommate introduced him to Metallica. That moment lit a fire in him, and he became hooked. From then on, he never stopped playing — always learning new songs, bit by bit.

Along the way, he picked up licks and phrases from every source imaginable — magazines, books, and those wild "Betcha Can't Play This" videos. Over time, something interesting started to happen: songs got easier to learn as he began recognizing patterns and techniques almost instinctively.

Today, Drew combines his personal learning journey with his formal background in psychology and education to create Berry Building Blocks — a method grounded in the idea of putting music first while using science-backed techniques to accelerate learning. His mission is simple: to help others experience that same joy and sense of fulfillment that comes from playing the music they love.

If this approach speaks to you, join Berry Building Blocks today and start stacking your guitar skills one block at a time.

https://www.youtube.com/@BerryBuildingBlocks

https://beacons.ai/berrybuildingblocks

Welcome to today's episode! Today, I'm joined by Drew, who will be sharing his guitar journey — from being a student to teaching others, offering insights and tips he’s picked up along the way to play more efficiently. We'll dive into how he got started with music, how he began sharing his knowledge, his transition to creating online content, and the inspiration he drew from Japanese singer-songwriter Shinichi Kobayashi.

Growing up in a musical household, music was always a part of Drew’s life for as long as he can remember. He was constantly playing something — starting with piano (like many Asian kids, not exactly by choice), then trumpet, drums, and eventually guitar. He took a couple of semesters of guitar lessons in high school, but admits he wasn’t that into it at the time. That all changed in college when he bought an electric guitar and his roommate introduced him to Metallica. That moment lit a fire in him, and he became hooked. From then on, he never stopped playing — always learning new songs, bit by bit.

Along the way, he picked up licks and phrases from every source imaginable — magazines, books, and those wild "Betcha Can't Play This" videos. Over time, something interesting started to happen: songs got easier to learn as he began recognizing patterns and techniques almost instinctively.

Today, Drew combines his personal learning journey with his formal background in psychology and education to create Berry Building Blocks — a method grounded in the idea of putting music first while using science-backed techniques to accelerate learning. His mission is simple: to help others experience that same joy and sense of fulfillment that comes from playing the music they love.

If this approach speaks to you, join Berry Building Blocks today and start stacking your guitar skills one block at a time.

https://www.youtube.com/@BerryBuildingBlocks

https://beacons.ai/berrybuildingblocks

Join me and Tanner Williams from The Co-Pilots for the second part of our interview about his band. In this episode, Tanner will break down his latest single for us. We'll also discuss the sound of their upcoming album, the impact of AI music on the industry, and the challenges Tanner faces with his new bandmates.

The Co-Pilots are an independent rock project based in Taipei, originally from Pensacola, FL. Formed by Tanner Williams, The Co-Pilots have undergone numerous transformations both in their lineup and their sound. To date, the project has released four albums, each showcasing a distinct style within the discography.

For more information about the band, please visit:

IG

Linktree

Apple Music

In today's episode, I am joined by Tanner Williams, a member of The Co-Pilots. We will discuss the band’s lineup changes, the origins of The Co-Pilots, and their move to Taiwan. Additionally, Tanner shares how he took up piano as a guitarist, their debut at a festival in southern Taiwan, and the difference between playing in closed venues versus festivals.

The Co-Pilots are an independent rock project based in Taipei, originally from Pensacola, FL. Formed by Tanner Williams, The Co-Pilots have undergone numerous transformations both in their lineup and their sound. To date, the project has released four albums, each showcasing a distinct style within the discography.

For more information about the band, please visit:

IG

Linktree

Apple Music

Welcome to the second part of our interview with sitar maestro, Yo, and erhu virtuoso, T.S. Today, they will share with us their favorite experience performing, tell us the origin and background of two of their songs, what kind of rituals they follow, and their plans to play abroad more.

Wooonta is a Taiwanese world music ensemble renowned for their innovative fusion of traditional Eastern instruments and diverse musical genres. Formed in 2015, the band is led by erhu virtuoso Lo Chang Chin and features Japanese sitarist Ryohei Kanemitsu, affectionately known as "Yo." Their music seamlessly blends elements of classical, jazz, and global sounds, creating a unique auditory experience that resonates with audiences worldwide.

Their debut album, Wooontaful, garnered critical acclaim, earning multiple nominations at the Taiwan Golden Melody Awards for Traditional Arts and Music, and winning the prestigious Best Composition Award. Following this success, they released Borderless Realm, which was also featured on the French radio program JAZZ ATTITUDE in 2023.

Wooonta's live performances have captivated audiences at renowned international festivals, including the 2016 Edinburgh Fringe Festival, the 2018 Taiwan World Music Festival, and the 2022 Asia-Pacific Traditional Arts Festival. In 2023, they had the honor of performing as the special opening act for the globally broadcast Vienna Philharmonic New Year's Concert. Their music has also been featured on French radio, further expanding their global reach.

The band's adaptability is evident in their diverse stage setups, ranging from intimate duos to expansive ensembles, allowing them to tailor their performances to various venues and audiences. This versatility, combined with their mastery of traditional instruments, positions Wooonta as a significant force in the world music scene.