Faced Forward: the Future with MoShang

By Courtney Donovan Smith Translated by Ann Lee

Like a good soundtrack to a futuristic movie, MoShang's East-meets-West downtempo electronica is eclectic, richly textured and lushly multicultural. Classical Chinese and Western instruments interplay with microchips and singing is matched with audio grabbed from the streets of Taiwan. It's easy to imagine this music playing at a classy bar in Shanghai in 2020.

MoShang (South African-born Jean Marais) in his production and his complex musical arrangements displays a broad knowledge and appreciation of different musical instruments, forms, sounds and styles. This produces music that is full of fresh takes and unique twists yet still sounds complete, balanced and natural--like a musical ecosystem. Overall, his music avoids the manic electronica of the club scene and the brooding, pretentious "artistic" end of the spectrum--roaming freely in a playful middle-ground.

Like his music, MoShang isn't content with the traditional methods of getting himself heard. He performs live in online world Second Life twice a week at the virtual venue Mood Lounge, at other Second Life venues and online music fests. When asked about these performances, MoShang said, "It's so real, you get nervous like you would on a live radio broadcast. The audience response is very immediate, people type in their comments as you play." Though based in suburban Taichung, most of MoShang's fan base is overseas, with his music a regular on many playlists, podcasts and online radio.

He does have some real-world ties, however. For example, I'd recommend picking up his CD Chill Dynasty (Onse Plate) or his new Asian Variations remix album (see boxes for details).

Getting MoShang's Music:
MoShang's CD Chill Dynasty is available online on Apple iTunes and many other music sites. For local credit card holders it is easiest to purchase from Red Mountain Black Label based in Hong Kong, CD Baby based in the US, from his myspace page at www.myspace.com/moshang or from the album website www.chilldynasty.com. It is also sold at Eslite Bookstores around Taiwan.

The new Asian Variations remix CD will be handed out free at the launch parties (see box), and can be downloaded free at www.asianvariations.com.

For more information and music, check out www.moshang.net.

Asian Variations Launch Parties (with guests):
* Saturday, September 9, 9:30 pm at Grooveyard in Taichung. Cover charge is NT$200 and comes with a copy of the CD.
* Saturday, September 29, 9:30 pm at Living Room in Taipei. Cover charge comes with a copy of the CD.