Going Underground: Journeying to the West
Going Underground is a new monthly column written by Sophia Pederson exploring the Chinese rock scene in association with Wooozy. Launched in April 2009, Wooozy.cn is a Chinese-language online specialist music site, focusing on the latest and best underground and mainstream sounds from China and beyond.
Facing Outwards
Chinese bands playing outside of China isn’t a new phenomenon. ‘Godfather of Chinese Rock’ Cui Jian played at the Printemps de Bourges festival in Paris in 1989. The all-girl band Cobra played dates in Germany as far back as 1994 and even graced the stages of CBGBs in New York in 1996. Xie Tianxiao (XTX) followed suit, and in 1999 became the first ever Chinese representative at Austin’s SXSW festival.
Although multiple Chinese artists have continued to tour overseas, difficulties securing visas, language barriers and the pure cost of traveling have kept numbers to a minimum.
That’s all changing now. Credit should be given to the Chinese artists that laid the groundwork for bands to tour abroad, but China’s economic development and unique government policies have also led to an increase in interest from those outside of the country – especially within the Western music press.
Cui Jian: www.last.fm/music/Cuijian
Cobra: www.xiami.com/artist/3153
Xie Tianxiao: www.last.fm/music/XTX
Current Chinese Festivals Abroad
Modern Sky’s first overseas festival was held in New York’s Central Park in August of last year. Artists like Shuh Tou, Re-TROS, and Queen Sea Big Shark played alongside Cat Power, Blood Brothers, and Liars. This year sees an even more ambitious lineup and production, hitting both East and West Coasts – Oct 4 in New York and Oct 11 in Seattle. Artists include new Modern Sky signings Miserable Faith, as well as standard bearers Hedgehog, New Pants and Song Dongye. Also confirmed are Gang of Four, Black Lips, and Ariel Pink.
Miserable Faith: www.last.fm/music/miserable+faith
Hedgehog: www.last.fm/music/Hedgehog
New Pants: www.last.fm/music/New+Pants
Song Dongye: www.last.fm/music/Dongye+Song
Nor are Modern Sky’s ambitions aimed firmly at the US. The Beijing label is also teaming up with Helsinki Festival, creating a mini festival – Modern Sky Helsinki - from Aug 14-30, featuring an interesting mix of Chinese talent, including hip-hop (DJ Wordy & Soulspeak), electro-indie rock (Nova Heart), and post punk (Re-TROS).
DJ Wordy: www.last.fm/music/DJ+Wordy
Re-TROS: www.last.fm/music/Re-TROS
DJ Wordy
Recent Chinese Acts at Festivals Abroad
Glastonbury Festival invited two Chinese indie acts for their debut performances this past June.
Nova Heart: Fronted by Helen Feng – the Chinese-born, American-raised darling of the China underground – this dark electro rock band have been receiving a lot of international attention in recent years. Music publications like NME have hailed them as “One of China’s best underground prospects,” while according to Rolling Stone listening to Feng was “as if the New York of the 70s has been transferred to the Beijing of today. Nova Heart sound like an apocalyptic version of Debbie Harry.”
www.novaheart.bandcamp.com
Long Shen Dao: China’s best-known reggae outfit are a bit of a curveball. The band got its start after founder Guo Jian left Xie Tian Xiao and the Cold Blooded Animals to follow his main love, reggae. Taking a cue from Xie Tian Xiao himself, the band uses Chinese instruments to create a sound that might be described as ‘Reggae with Chinese characteristics.’
www.last.fm/music/Long+Shen+Dao
Chinese Artists on Tour
In addition to tours from Chui Wan and Birdstriking in the US (see June edition of That’s Beijing), Mongolian Folk Rockers Ajinai (pictured below) have been relentlessly touring across the world the last two years. Their current summer tour has stops in Denmark, Poland, and Norway.
www.ethnocloud.com/ajinai
Wang Wen have also just wrapped up a whirlwind tour in Europe this last May. The band are no strangers to touring abroad, and their classic post rock sound with little to no lyrics makes it translatable to any audience.
www.wangwen.bandcamp.com
Carsick Cars, probably China’s most well known indie band among overseas audiences, the cars have just finished their Europe Tour, playing shows in France, Netherlands, Austria, Germany, and even proud little Slovenia.
www.carsickcars.bandcamp.com
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