Tonight the Speakeasy Bar will hold a CD release party for the Battle of the Year (BOTY) Soundtrack 2009, which was put together by DJ DSK and Sam Debell of Unity Recordings. In addition to being a CD release party, tonight's do will also be a farewell party for Debell, who has been an integral part of the Kunming music scene for as long as we can remember and is moving to Beijing.

GoKunming chatted with Unity's DSK and Debell about the new CD and tonight's party:

GoKunming: What is the Battle of The Year Soundtrack 2009?

DJ DSK: BOTY is an international B-Boy or break-dance competition held each year in Germany. This year celebrating its 20th anniversary, BOTY has grown to be the biggest international competition of its kind - there are over 30 worldwide eliminations in over 20 countries. The CD is the soundtrack for the Chinese national elimination which was held last weekend in Shanghai.

The CD is a project by Unity Recordings to promote positive hip-hop and funk music in China and also give Chinese artists a chance to reach a worldwide audience and network with artists from other countries. On this year's CD we have funk bands from Kunming, Shanghai and Chengdu, rap from Guangzhou, Aruba and the US, electro from Shenzhen, hip-hop beats from Athens, Bangkok, Qingdao and a lot more.

GK: What difficulties did you encounter while managing such an international project?

Sam Debell: It was very hard to coordinate people in different cities all around China and in six countries and get them all to meet deadlines especially as this is a nonprofit release. Also DJ DSK had many sleepless nights as he had to help record and mix a lot of the songs at the same time as having a baby! The final master CD and drums on one track were finished whilst on a tour, which meant us getting back to the hotel around 3 am and working till daylight. No matter how well you plan there always seems to be a mad rush at the end!

DSK: The biggest difficulty was the same one facing everyone making music today - no one is buying music anymore! Sales of CDs are down everywhere due to people downloading free online. So we really need people to support the project and buy a real copy. The CD is only 25 yuan and it's very difficult for any music artist to survive these days, especially in China, so if you like a Chinese band or artist, please buy their music!

GK: How does the release differ from last year's China BOTY 2008 CD?

DSK: This release has the same basic philosophy and musical style as last year but everything is much more professional this time round. We had all the music mastered in a professional studio in the UK so everything sounds more polished and up to the quality of most commercial releases, we also increased the budget to include a booklet in the CD. The artwork is again provided by famous UK graffiti writer and graphic designer DEP.

GK: What can we expect at the release party tonight?

For the release party we want people to come along and have a fun night to a soundtrack of funk, disco and hip-hop. We really want to show to people the positive side of non-commercial hip-hop and not the rubbish so called rap music you hear in the top 40.

We will also be showing the award winning movie "Planet B-Boy" at 8 pm. This movie is very interesting as it follows B-boy crews from USA, Korea, Japan, France and Canada, showing their lifestyle and what dancing and hip-hop means to them in the context of their own cultures.

Then we will have B-boy cyphers. That means music and live percussion specially for B-boys/B-girls to dance and have fun to. It consists of DJ DSK on two turntables cutting up old funk, soul and Latin breaks along with some classic hip-hop and People's Rhythm adding live African and Latin percussion. Then at 12 we have a 15 minute scratch performance of DMC routines and freestyle scratch set from me, Marco and Echo. At 12:15 DJs will be playing funk and hip-hop to party the rest of the night away. If we have enough time to organize we may also add some live graffiti painting outside from 9 to 10.30.

GK: Can you tell us some more about BOTY China competition and who won?

It was an amazing event held last weekend in Shanghai's Jing'an stadium in which crews from all over China had to perform a six-minute dance routine and then the top four crews entered a knock out championship to decide the winner. Kunming's own B-boy crew KGS came second in the dance routine rating, impressing the international judges with their mix of traditional Yunnan minority dancing and B-Boy moves. Dragon Style from Beijing came first with an impressive show using moves and make up taken from kungfu and opera. KGS made it into the semifinal battle losing to STO from Guangzhou who went on to win BOTY China 2009.

STO will go to Singapore this weekend to enter BOTY Asia along with Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Korea, Japan, Taiwan and Indonesia - the top three will then go to the BOTY world finals in Germany in October.

GK: How are you distributing the new CD?

The CD is available in Kunming at Salvadors Coffee House and other CD shops around the area and in the rest of China through the 1973 mail order hip-hop shop.

Also, you can come to the Speak and support the release party - we are giving a free vodka to anyone who buys the CD, which is only 25 kuai. It will also be available in Europe through the official BOTY shop in a week or so - you can check our website for more details.

GK: Will you be releasing another album next year?

DSK: We hope so. It's a lot of work with little financial motivation but it's something we believe in and we will look for more sponsors to help us out. We are currently in talks and hoping that BOTY China or even BOTY Asia can be part of the 2010 Expo in Shanghai. We are always looking for producers or bands, especially Chinese, of suitable music for the next release. So if you or anyone you know thinks they have music that could be on next year's release please contact us!

DJ DSK and Sam Debell can be contacted at unitynick [at] gmail [dot] com and unitysam [at] gmail [dot] com, respectively.

The long dry spell of touring bands passing through Kunming will end later this month when Beijing-based post-punk outfit Rebuilding the Rights of Statues – aka Re-TROS – plays the Speakeasy Bar on March 18. The video above is for the band's single "Hang the police".

A three-piece with male and female vocalists, Re-TROS was founded in 2003 and has steadily built up a following in Beijing and across China with its dark, danceable style. The band's music has also attracted attention beyond the PRC – prolific composer and producer Brian Eno liked the band so much he was a guest keyboardist on their debut EP "Cut Off!".

Re-TROS is currently touring 29 Chinese cities in support of their new album on Modern Sky Records, "Watch out! Climate has changed, fat mum rises…". Their Speakeasy show marks the beginning of tour season in Kunming, which all but ceases during the winter.

Information regarding showtime, ticket price and the opening band has yet to be released.

Friday: Brutal Beatroot at Speakeasy Bar
Tonight Speakeasy Bar will feature the music of Brutal Beatroot, which the bar describes as "non-serious DJs with eclectic tunes, varied BPMs and real snare sounds". Rum and Cokes will be on special for 10 yuan. Music starts at 10 pm, entry is free.

Friday: Fluo Party at Uprock
The blacklights are back at Uprock for another 'Fluo Party' tonight, brightly colored clothing, makeup, chewing gum and other party accoutrements are encouraged. Music will be provided by DJs Tormod and Martin. Music starts at 10 pm, entry is free.

Saturday: Valentine's Dinners at Moonlight Corner
Both Moonlight Corner Thai Restaurants will be offering special Valentine's Day dinners starting at 6:30 on Saturday. Moonlight Corner's Expo Garden location will be offering a set meal, while its Green Lake location will feature a buffet. Dinners at either location cost 498 yuan/couple and include two glasses of champagne, a teddy bear and chocolate. Reservations can be made at 5013125 (Expo Garden) or 5138088 (Green Lake).

Saturday: Valentine's Dinner at TCG Nordica
TCG Nordica will also be offering a Valentine's dinner featuring a Western buffet with dessert and wine. Nordica's house band will provide the music. Dinner starts at 6 pm and costs 58 yuan/person. Reservations are recommended.

Saturday: Valentine's Party at Speakeasy Bar
Speakeasy Bar is throwing a Valentine's party on Saturday night featuring music by DJs Yan and Ma Xi plus images by VJs Pixy and AV and samples by M-Laos. Three strawberry tarts and three bottles of red wine will be given out to the couples involved in the most public displays of affection (not applicable to married couples), and there will be free punch for all ladies. Music starts at 10 pm, entry is free.

Saturday: Retro Night at Uprock
Uprock will eschew Valentine's Day for a retro party featuring music from the 70s and 80s played by DJs Shonny and Echoo, with special guest DJ Miki – cheesy dress is encouraged. Best costume wins a bottle of vodka. Music starts at 10 pm, entry is free.

Sunday: Wei's Closing Party
Wei's one of Kunming's oldest Western restaurants, will close its doors for the last time on Sunday night – but not before having one last party. Sunday night from 7 pm there will be a 20 yuan all-you-can-eat buffet, plus half-price drinks.

Friday and Saturday: Kunming Social Club at Moonlight Corner
Moonlight Corner's new Green Lake Restaurant and Bar will feature its house jazz band 'Kunming Social Club' from 9:30 to 11:30 tonight and Saturday.

Friday and Saturday: Lucia buffet and concert at TCG Nordica
TCG Nordica will hold its annual buffet and concert for the Scandinavian holiday of Lucia this weekend. The buffet begins at 5:30 pm today and Saturday. The buffet costs 45 yuan for adults and 25 yuan for children and includes free admission to the Lucia concert at 8:00. Admission to the concert for those not attending the buffet is 10 yuan.

Friday: Tribal Moons and bikini party at Club Nice
Club Nice in the Kundu Night Market will be throwing a 'bikini party' beginning at 9:00 with special musical guests Tribal Moons. Entry is free.

Friday: Britney Spears party at Speakeasy
A triple birthday party with a Britney Spears theme will be held at Speakeasy Bar tonight, beginning at 10:00. There will be a Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake (and presumably K-Fed) costume contest, with first, second and third prize winners taking home a bottle of bourbon, tequila and red wine, respectively. Music will be provided by DJs Yan (one of the birthdays) and Kris and local dance troupe KLT will perform at some point in the evening. Entry is free.

Saturday: Holiday open house at The Silver Spoon Café
The Silver Spoon Café will hold its holiday open house from 10 am to 9 pm on Saturday. Visitors can enjoy free flavored coffee and apple cider plus enter the free raffle. Specialty gifts will be on sale and there will be special offers on Silver Spoon food and merchandise.

Saturday: Tribal Moons at Uprock
Uprock will host the last Tribal Moons show until February on Saturday night, music will also be provided by DJs Shonny and Martin. Admission for the 10:00 show is five yuan.

Friday and Saturday: Kunming Social Club at Moonlight Corner
Moonlight Corner's new Green Lake Restaurant and Bar will once again feature its house jazz band 'Kunming Social Club' from 9:30 to 11:30 tonight and Saturday. Admission is free and the kitchen will feature a limited late-night menu.

Friday: Tribal Moons at Camel Bar
The Camel Bar has been hosting more local music than usual in the last few weeks, tonight Tribal Moons will take the stage. The free show starts at 9:30.

Friday: Alien Quest Party at Speakeasy Bar
DJs Latino and Chicken Han will provide the music while Speakeasy Bar screens cheesy B movies on its big screen. Tequila shots will be on special for 10 yuan. Music starts at 10:00, admission is free.

Friday and Saturday: HIV/AIDS benefit concert at TCG Nordica
TCG Nordica will feature all the performers that have played in this week's international music week tonight and Saturday in special benefit concerts to raise funds for HIV/AIDS programs. Music starts at 8:00 both nights and admission is 50 yuan/person or 25 yuan for students with ID.

Friday and Saturday: Extended House Party at Uprock
Uprock will be featuring DJs Shonny and Xiao Dong plus a special guest tonight and Saturday night beginning at 10:00. There will be 2-for-1 cocktails between 10 and 11. Admission is free.

Sunday: Choir Concert at TCG Nordica
On Sunday night Nordica will wrap up its international music week with a free choir concert featuring the Kunming Dong Dong Qing Miao People's Choir, Marianne G Nielsen, Liao Qiyu, Zhang Mingyue, Gao Chang, Chen Jinsong, Gao Xuehong, Nenia Zenana, Mari Salli, Huang Shan and Tang Yiling. Singing starts at 7:30, admission is free.

Friday: Reflector, No Answer at Laowo Bar
Laowo Bar will host Beijing punk trio Reflector (反光镜) tonight for the band's Kunming stop on their autumn tour of western China. Local band No Answer (打死我也不说) will start off the evening at 9:30. Entry is 35 yuan.

Friday: Halloween costume party at Speakeasy Bar
Speakeasy Bar will be holding a costume party with DJs Kris, Martin Solberg, Lumberjack Jon and special guests starting at 10 tonight. Bottles of Red Label, Stolichnaya and Jim Beam will be awarded for the first-, second- and third-place costumes and Mike Shipley will be painting faces for those who come costumeless. Entry is free.

Friday: Halloween costume party at Camel Bar
Camel Bar will hold its Halloween costume party at 9 tonight with a free bottle of vodka for the best costume plus a free bottle of beer for anyone wearing sunglasses. There will also be specially priced 10 yuan shots of tequila and vodka as well as B-52s.

Saturday: Double exhibition opening at TCG Nordica
Two Scandinavian artists will be featured in a double exhibition opening Saturday night at TCG Nordica in the Loft/Chuang Ku art compound on Xiba Lu. Morten Viskum of Norway will unveil his solo exhibition 'Monogram XI' and Madeleine Aleman of Sweden will present her recent works created during her stay in Kunming. The opening starts at 8:00 and entry is free.

Friday: Legopulver at Halfway House
Norwegian jazz/rock band Legopulver will play its first of two Kunming gigs this weekend at Halfway House tonight at 9:00. The band consists of guitar, bass and drums. Entry is free.

Friday: Sam's Birthday Masquerade at Speakeasy Bar
Sam Debell of Speakeasy Bar will be celebrating his birthday tonight with a masquerade party and cheap 10 kuai glasses of Jagermeister. Music will be provided by DJs Martin, Jon and Christian.

Saturday: Union Music Festival in Tuanjie Village
A music festival highlighting local rock and hiphop is scheduled to take place from 1 to 11 pm on Saturday, featuring some of Kunming's biggest local acts including Noise Addiction, Tribal Moons, No Answer (打死我也不说), Dark Cosmos (黑宇), Triatic (恶性循环) and Broken String (断弦).

Our info about this event is limited, but we do know the organizers intend on holding it at the Tuanjie Village Bai Leisure Garden (团结乡白族休闲园) a bit more than 20 km northwest of Kunming. To get to Tuanjie Village, take the road to the Bamboo Temple until getting to the Tuanjie Village (团结乡), where a right turn takes you straight there - look for the three Bai-style white pagodas.

Saturday: Legopulver at TCG Nordica
Legopulver will play its second show in Kunming at the spacious gallery of TCG Nordica on Saturday night. Admission to the 8 pm show is 30 yuan for adults, 15 yuan for students and 10 yuan for children.

Saturday: Yunnan-Vietnam Female Artists Exchange at Yunart Gallery
Yunart Gallery will host an opening for its new exhibition "In the course of our contacts..." which highlights the works of female artists from Yunnan and Vietnam on Saturday night, beginning at 8:00. Entry to the opening is free.

Saturday: The Hump Bar's 8th Birthday Celebration
The Hump Bar is celebrating its 8th birthday on Saturday night with free buffet and beer from 7 to 9 pm. After mealtime the bar will be throwing an Afro-Latin dance party until morning.

Monday: P.K.14 at Speakeasy Bar
P.K.14 one of the better-known 'it' bands in the Beijing rock scene at the moment, will play Speakeasy Bar on Monday night for the Kunming stop on its national tour. Entry to the 10 pm show is 30 yuan.

Saturday: "Restless flesh" opening at TCG Nordica
Local artists Zhang Xingwang and Yan Renkui will launch their new exhibition at TCG Nordica in the Chuangku/Loft art compound on Xiba Lu on Saturday night. The 8:00 opening is free and open to the public.

Saturday: Wu Tun and Dong Zi at Speakeasy Bar
Chinese rock veterans Wu Tun (吴屯) and Dong Zi (冬子) will bring their national tour to Speakeasy Bar on Saturday night, with music starting at 9:30. Entry is 30 yuan.

Sunday: Wu Hongfei Speakeasy Bar
Beijing-based singer/songwriter Wu Hongfei (吴虹飞), who has been on extended holiday in Kunming over the last few weeks, will play the Speakeasy on Sunday night with special guest Leng Bingqi (冷兵器). Music starts at 9:00, entry is 30 yuan or 25 yuan for students.

Sunday: Free afternoon documentary at Yuansheng Studio
Yuansheng Studio will continue to hold free afternoon showings of documentaries from the Yunfest archives on Sunday afternoon, starting at 2:00. Sunday's documentary is Dear (亲爱的) a film by Gu Yaping (顾亚平) set in Beijing. The documentary will have English and Chinese subtitles. Entry is free.