last week when we spoke with founder of The Antidote(Shanghai) Michael Ohlsson, we could tell that he was very enthusiastic, excited even, to be bringing Shanghai (via. Guizhou singer/MC ChaCha), and The Antidote party to Wuhan and for the first time, Chongqing.  Now that my first Antidote experience is over and done with, I understand why.

Local producer/DJs X76 and Red Apple, started the night off, warming one of the largest crowds Nuts Club has seen in its current incarnation.  Antidote's DJ Ozone took to the decks at about the same time most of the crowd usually leaves a show at Nuts, and was limited to an extremely short, but good eclectic set of the type of tunes lacking in Chongqing's nightlife/party scene.  Feeling Ozone's grooves I was a bit let down when his set was finished, but this disappointment was shortly overtaken by extreme joy once headliner Cha Cha took the stage backed by DJ Drunk Munk. 

Their largely reggae inspired set,with doses of hip-hop and dub-step had the crowd dancing and smiling from front to back well into the night.   Cha Cha's skills as an MC, and voice as a songstress were captivating ,and before the first song was over, it was evident why, according Ohlsson, 
"She's been recording in the studio with -- no exaggeration -- some of the world's top producers of reggae, dub, dubstep -- absolute legends.  her releases are getting excellent   critical reviews in UK, Europe, etc., so this is quite special to have her come to Chongqing..". 

Special indeed.  As a newcomer to the live house setting Cha Cha had the poise and confidence of a seasoned vet., putting on a memorable performance.

 The night rolled on as Cha Cha left the stage for DJ and owner of Shanghai night club staple Shelter Gaz Williams, aka Drunk Munk to continue the irie vibe.  Unfortunately, as is typical at Nuts,  the crowd began to thin out as soon as he was just getting going, missing out on what of China's best imported DJs.

Though Chongqing has a while before it can catch up to the scene's in Beijing and Shanghai, it is definitely on its way there as  westablished brands such as The Antidote and Split Works* making their way to Chongqing with increased frequency, can only bode well for the Chongqing scene.  And with the success of the past weekends Antidote, we can only expect better the next time around when they bring Reptile and Retard to Nuts, May 8.

-sidewalkspew

*Split Works made their Chongqing debut last winter with Hollerado, and return tomorrow, Tuesday the 16th with Dead Elvis.

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We had a chat with Michael(DJ)Ozone, co-founder of The Antidote(Shanghai) as they get set to make their Chongqing debut, Saturday March 13 @ Nuts Club.

CQSCENE: First off, can you tell me what The Antidote is all about? beginnings, etc..

Michael Ozone: Well we started in 2005 in shanghai, me and B6 we just wanted a way to bring new, innovative music to china... give new producers a platform to play out and get the right audience to discover them so, although we do bring a lot of acts from around the world, to china for the first time, our heart is in pushing up the mainland Chinese music scene.  so, the act we're bringing to Chongqing this weekend -- ChaCha -- we feel is a massive new talent in China and we're excited to work with her and let new people discover her music

CQS: Can you let the people here n CQ know what to expect from ChaCha, and an Antidote party in general?

MO: Well Antidote parties  -- we always do eclectic music on the night, so we might play everything from punk rock to minimal techno to reggae, in one night. So also, we bring mostly live electronic acts sometimes rock bands but mostly electronic. We also have DJs that play before and after these live acts so it's a *party,* not just a show where you watch and leave.  we want people to have a good night out, relax, meet new people, and have silly fun. we like to have a mix of people and music from rock to hip  hop to techno.

This time we're bringing Chacha, a singer who's originally from Guizhou, but lives in Shanghai now.  She's been recording in the studio with -- no exaggeration -- some of the world's top producers of reggae, dub, dubstep -- absolute legends.  her releases are getting excellent critical reviews in UK, Europe, etc., so this is quite special to have her come to Chongqing.  Next time will be May 8 , we bring Reptile Retard from Denmark, to Chongqing.  We did a tour with them last year, 10 shows in china, and they were incredible!

CQS: Finally, what are you most looking forward to during your first time to Chongqing

MO: Well the party of course! But, I'm also really excited to check out the food and explore the city('ill be staying for a few days after the gig).  I also write about food, so I'm eager to check out the food there. I love Sichuan food, but it's hard to find good stuff here in Shanghai.

 CQS: As I'm sure you know, CQ is famous for its hot-pot, will you be giving that try?

MO: For sure! but also want to find some weird eats, for my blog  www.weirdmeat.com.

CQS: Anything else you'd like to add?

MO: Anyone who dresses like a cartoon character gets a free beer from me.  Or a kitten, we like kittens.




DJ Ozone and ChaCha, and The Antidote will be throwing it down Saturday March 13th, 21:00 - LATE!  With specilal local guests DJs X76 ans Red Apple.

Back in November, A Taste of Singapore restaurant introduced Chongqing's first ever pub-quiz.  back then the numbers were dismal, and I had my doubts as to how long it would last, but week after week the numbers seemed to grow until the annual, month long, dearth of anything exciting came long, better known as Chinese New year, and the pub quiz went on hiatus.  Well fear not fellow quizees, for she/he/it is back, and better than ever(lets hope so at least).

Time and Location info:

Tuesday night, 8:30
A Taste of Singapore Restaurant & Cocktail Bar
5th Floor, CapitaRetail Building, Shapingba, Sanxia Guangchang
(Same building as Pizza Hut & Haagen Dazs)
新风味生活餐吧 (xin feng wei sheng huo can ba)


沙坪坝三峡广场，嘉茂购物中心 5 楼 (sha ping ba san xia guang chang, jia mao gou wu zhong xin wu lou

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Rumors have been circulating about a fully developed CiCi Square district that can offer Chongqing a full underground scene.  On Sunday, these rumors became closer to reality.  SVIP club has opened down the way from CiCi Park, offering a higher-class alternative to CiCi’s electro-scene...
[read on]

This Friday(Dec. 11) Canadian indie Rockers Hollerado bring their high-energy live act to the Nuts club stage.  Friend of the scene and City Weekend Shanghai columnist Dan Shapiro asked the band his "8 questions" which you can read here.  If reading's not your thing, you can give them a listen here, or just check them out for yourself at Nuts(recommended).

Hollerado @ Nuts
Fri. 12/11, 20:00-22:00
30RMB

sidewalkspew

As usual, this weekend's action begins on Thursday with Fresh W. Promo's(FWP) weekly dance party "Thirsty Thursdays."  known primarily for the drink specials and not necessarily the dancing word seems to be spreading that Nuts club is the place to be Thursday night.  The following night(Friday the 4th), Nuts club plays host to the 'oh so dreamy' folk sounds of Yangon Burma(via Melbourne Australia)  singer/songwriter Tamas Wells.  immediately following Tamas, is FWP's first ever Salsa night, also at Nuts. 
On Saturday, the Chongqing Conquerors rugby team hosts both Shanghai and Chengdu in a 1 day tri-series.  And that same evening, the Chongqing International Women's group has their annual Christmas charity ball, beginning at 18:00 in the Intercontinental(11th flr. ballroom).

p.s. if you can't wait until Thursday to get things going, tonight(tuesday 12/1) a Taste of Singapore restuarant in Shapingba hosts their weekly pub quiz @ 20:00.

Every Thursday @ Nuts Club
21:00 - 1:00
10 rmb Tequila shots
15rmb Gin & Tonics
15 rmb Rum & Coke

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