Hey, Where'd My Depression Go?

- By Ashlea Mayne, Mar 10, 06

Oh wait - it seems dkd killed it.

The clubbing benchmark of the city (declared as an officially released statement by yours truly), is unsurprisingly mentioned on most of the dating profiles on this site as a "Favourite club". And in my eyes, they've accomplished (an continue to do) something near-impossible in this fickle city - gaining simple long-term respect and loyalty.

Even though many would associate the term "Underground" with alternative/experimental venues, dkd persists in using the word as a direct association ... and doesn't quite pull it off, except in perhaps the literal sense. This is, however, not at all a problem. And just like a Libra (if you've into star signs that is), there's a distinct balance: the balance of bringing in the big names, without getting a big head, or at least over-commercialized.

And as we all know, the guy who can't breakdance or grafitti, James Lavelle, will join the boast-worthy dkd party list soon enough (after tonight), and is most definitely leading the taxi ride choice tonight, or tied with Barbarossa Bollywood, Pegasus's DJ Food and Bon Bon's Marco V, in any case. And if there's no glossy ticket/s encased in your wallet yet - have no fear - 180rmb will get you there.
Having frequented dkd since November last year, (why my true discovery of dkd was a year late I'l never quite work out) dkd has become my solid set-in-block-of-concrete choice for Shanghai clubbing. My favourite event would have to be Infusion - (the truly impressive Electronica trio from Melbourne, with intoxicating energy, and sweat marks) - People were packed in like vertical cake layers, and the body heat got to that amusing high point, causing one of the speakers to blow, and creating a strange ringing silence for a few minutes (if you could block out the all the 'oooo's). And finally, my favourite place-within-a-place, would be, Tempo Space.

Tempo Space, that red-infused somewhat-hidden spot renovated a few months ago, was whispering a smoky, flavoursome promise of Sheesha, but after having the opportunity to sample it once there, I haven't witnessed any kind of a charcoaled comeback since. Riding on a happy wave of drinks and dancing, Tempo lulls you in to a low-light cushiony haven (somewhat like a life-saving blood transfusion, perhaps?). It's one of the best chill-out rooms in the city (again, I'm making an offical declaration), and yet, still tingles with that same dkd energy. Ohh, and not to mention their new promo launched in February: buy-one-get-one-free on drinks - all night every night. Try not to get too excited shouting the rounds, as there's always that slight, back-of-head nagging risk of passing out (or is that just me?) Mao Mao is the accompanying DJ in Tempo, having started his residency last month. Other residents are Mansun (China), Calvin (China), SynRG (USA), Matt (China), Julian (China), plus another new addition - the well-known David K (China).

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