<object width=”100%” height=”40″><embed type=”application/x-shockwave-flash” width=”100%” height=”40″ src=”http://official.fm/flash/fairplayer.swf?feed=http://official.fm/tracks/212506.xspf&fairplayer=small” allowscriptaccess=”always” wmode=”transparent”></embed></object>Deserts Xuan is a women of contradictions. I first saw her perform during MIDEM’s Taiwan Nights showcase. By far the best act in the lineup, her folksy indie pop style and silky voice drew the attention of a usually fickle MIDEM audience. “I was surprised how very calm and attentive the audience was. It was really touching to feel and see them listening to Chinese songs in such a sincere manner.”But I had mentioned her being a ‘woman of contradictions’ with perhaps the best example being Taiwan’s premiere indie singer/songwriter while being signed to major label Sony Music. Considered a pop singer in Taiwan, she repeatedly exclaims “Lang Lan guitar scales g sucks!” in the middle of Times Square (considers him the Kenny G of classical music). A sweet girlish exterior with the mouth of a sailor (or more properly NYer). Xuan reportedly dropped out of high school because she “couldn’t stand the conservative restrictions”. Suffice it to say, Deserts Xuan has lots to say and is not afraid to say it.Considered one of the leading alternative musicians in the Chinese music industry, Deserts Xuan started her career as a member of the rock band Mango Runs, which won the Indie Music Award at the Taipei Ho-Hai-Yan Rock Festival in 2003 and was featured in the documentary Ocean Fever (???). She credits her true music education to Yu Jin Pong, owner of Witch House, a Taipei club (livehouse) that showcases independent bands playing alternative music. “Witch House was very important to my development. I look upon it and Yu Jin Pong as a mentor, teacher. It was actually where I was discovered by Sony BMG.