Although some radio DJs occasionally play electronic music, the musical genre, intimately linked with nightlife and clubbing, is still rarely heard on mainstream radio.
"It is not just music for midnight parties," notes Rocky Le, strategic and creative director of the 24-hour online electronic music radio station Udancecn.com.
"There are different kinds of electronic music that fits various times and moods."
The daily updated programs, with a length ranging from two to four hours, cater for the different needs of listeners at different times of the day.
The program is played 24-hour per day on the Web site and podcasts for some programs and events are also available to download.
High beats music are played from 3 am to 5 am for those who need to pull all nighters or stay high when it is quiet around.
Much lighter music is played for the next two hours, as people are getting ready to go to their work. The hours between 7 am and 9 am feature a music lesson for students or those who are interested in the history and background of electronic music.
The Redeye Flight, played live on Friday nights from 11 pm to 3 am, is a highlight featuring guest DJs who spin, chat and answer listeners' questions.
"They get very excited about playing in the studio because they have only played for events before," notes Le.
The studio is in a regular office building on Shanghai's Yan'an Road.
The recording room is small, simple and well-equipped with synthesizers and turntables.
In addition to the online radio, the Web site also contains global electronic music information and a blog page.
"Anyone with 20 megs of space on their server can upload their electronic music to our Web site," explains Le.
Planned since last year, launched in May with major promotion since August, the radio station now has 1,000 registered listeners.
"What we need to and are doing is to find the electronic music lovers through Udancecn and gather them to hold a huge party with the best Chinese DJs, pioneers and electronic music producers," notes DJ Dave K, a veteran DJ, electronic music producer, party organizer and program director of Udancecn.com.
Creative director Le is not worried about potential listeners either. He identifies the majority of the station's listeners as young working adults and students.
"Electronic music is not just for clubs. We want to offer the listeners the opportunity to hear the best music so that they can gradually develop their own judgment about the quality of the music," says Le.
"They will finally understand our concept of integrating music into life because electronic music is not just for clubbing."
Starting his musical career aged 16 Dave K was resident DJ for VIP Room, Vogue, Mara, Pegasus, among other famed clubs. He agrees with Le's opinion about electronic music.
"For me, it is quite peaceful and laid back. In metropolis like Beijing and Shanghai, where time equals money, it is great but not easy to chill out at times."
Having warmed up for top DJs including Paul Oakenfold, John Digweed, Paul Van Dyk, Tiesto and Sasha, K's own music taste is always changing.
"I wasn't influenced by anyone when I first started. In 1999, I heard a remix CD of Sasha and John Digweed from a friend. I was totally amazed and indulged myself in what's later called Progressive Trance," explains Dave K.
"In 2006, I got interested in Canadian DJ Richie Hawtin and Minimal Techno, which is what I play the most now."
The veteran DJ has his own daily program on the radio station, in which he introduces and recommends good music from his personal collection. He is especially excited about the program.
"Most electronic culture groups in China are formed by foreigners and joined by foreign guests. There's a crush between the traditional Chinese culture and foreign party culture. However, the gap has been filled because the trendy young adults are no longer restricted by the traditional thoughts."
(Shanghai Daily October 18, 2007)
