DJ Chozie's New Album
DJ Chozie (the pseudonym comes from "Chinese Aussie") made his name as a DJ and a producer in Taiwan and Australia, having produced tracks for F4's Ken Chu, Joey Yung, and Taiwan TV host Momoko Tao. His compilation album Chozie 18, was fabulously popular in Taiwan. He challenged me to google "taipei times" and "chozie" if I didn’t believe him. Now he calls himself an event producer. He's also the resident DJ and a partner at Suzie Wong.
DJ Chozie's first solo album is called Walking Backwards. It is a "jellybean of songs," he says, with different genres representing different stages of his life. The breakbeat track commemorates his time in Taiwan, where he led the mainstreaming of dance music. The elektro-rock track is a shout-out to his rebellious childhood in Australia. The funky-house track represents his return to Beijing from Taiwan. "Dance music has stories," insists Chozie, and his album is a collection of his experiences to date (hence the name). He played me a few of his songs on a laptop, with the caveat that the puny speakers didn't do them justice. Then, when each track wrapped up, sissy diva love songs followed, as iTunes shuffled through his playlist. "The girls!" Chozie shouted, "the girls, they put this shit on here."
The single targeted at western audiences is called One Night in Beijing, with the hook performed by house singer Peyton. The Chinese single is called Boogie Sugar. The music videos should get play on Channel V and MTV Asia. Other performers on the disc include Jamie Welton from local AC/DC cover band Dirty Deeds, and local hip-hopper Young Kin. Songs have been purchased by McDonalds, Carrefour, and an Australian television program. The tracks have already been heard in Australia, Sweden, Germany, Miami, and Ibiza.
Walking Backwards will be formally released on December 25, and will be available for purchase at any major record shop in town (look around Wangfujing or Xidan - for some tips on where to start looking check out a few of the threads on our forum here, here and here). Look for more about his upcoming album tour in the February issue of that’s Beijing.
Walking Backwards tracklist:
1. Boogie Sugar
2. Funky Disco Love
3. Hello Goodbye
4. Makin Me High
5. Next to Me
6. One Night in Beijing
7. Walking Backwards
8. We Party!
9. The Path
Links and Sources
Chozie's Myspace
Chozie's Chinese Myspace
Chozie’s Blog