Shanghaiist: Interview: Michael Ohlsson, DJ and Antidote party organiser

gun

Thu, 09 Feb 2006 01:12:28 +0800

don't let the aviator shades fool you. michael is neither cool nor underground. he is a big earnest geek who has helped create a stage where none existed before for shanghai's aspiring musicians and sound experimentalists. give credit where credit is due and aplaud the man for having a mission rather than mudballing him for having an opinion.

otorok

Sat, 28 Jan 2006 00:32:20 +0800

Last Antidote session was a blast. Nowhere else can you find RMB10 drinks + Good music + Nice & Friendly crowd. Pretentious? I beg to differ.

joon

Fri, 27 Jan 2006 23:39:35 +0800

"There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy." perhaps it will be instructive for us to reflect on the bard's sage advice.

Horatio

Thu, 26 Jan 2006 22:20:56 +0800

Maybe you just haven't been "underground" enough Ozone? Maybe (though unlikely) there are even more pretentious people than you down there?! Anyway, like all the sycophants around you - "you are cool Ozone". Never worry about that.

Ozone

Thu, 26 Jan 2006 12:59:54 +0800

@ Horatio -- yes, you got the point. @ hdp -- "foreigners on expense accounts" is a demographic group that generally isn't searching for this kind of music. Glad to know you are an exception. "impose a style of music or culture on another culture" -- who's imposing? most of Antidote's DJs, and our designer, are native to Shanghai... are you concerned they are imposing on foreigners?? We've been to Beijing, and yes the "underground scene" is relatively exciting and prolific, as are places like Chengdu. Shanghai's isn't.

hdp

Thu, 26 Jan 2006 11:07:27 +0800

"...foreigners on expense accounts — both groups couldn’t care less about checking out innovative music." This comment is not only offensive; it also reveals the DJ's complete lack of knowledge about the music market and its consumers. A few extra Euros in the wallet does not preclude me from enjoying good music, whatever the flavour. Furthermore, what is the point of trying to impose a style of music or culture on another culture? No matter how much Coke flogs its cola, some people will still opt for ice-tea. Pretentious and disdainful DJs like this one should dedicate some time to visiting the underground scene that does exist, and perhaps he might learn something new. A trip to Beijing is highly recommended. Comparisons to London, Berlin, Paris and even Tokyo are ludicrous and ignorant in the extreme. I would check out Antidote for the music, but the hospitality sounds like it'll be cr*p.

Horatio

Wed, 25 Jan 2006 20:40:20 +0800

congratulations, you just won the "most pretentious egoist" award. The 'wearing sunglasses in a club' (and the goatee) gets you even more points.