Posts tagged Chinese indie
Audio: Chinese Indie Music Sampler – 重塑雕像的权利 (Re-TROS)
Jun 14th
This is the third post in a series of audio links to Chinese music I’ve bought, mostly rock and electronica. Most of the music in this series is by bands I’ve seen live. You can see the first post here. The second post is here.
The third band I’m featuring is post-punk 重塑雕像的权利 (Re-TROS). Re-TROS is an acronym for Rebuilding the Rights of Statues, their full English name. I saw them for the first time at My Generation is Not 2 Bad in Beijing, which I found out about somewhat ironically by reading NeochaEDGE, so thanks to Ka Xiaoxi for that post. At that show, Re-TROS wowed me with their showmanship as well as disregard for conventions in both composition and performing.
Audio: 08 Up Next: Bela Lugosi’s Back
You can order Re-TROS’s music online on Amazon or their official Web store.
In Beijing, you can buy Re-TROS’s music at:
The Chinese Underground Music, 89-3, 鼓楼东大街, Beijing
(Bus: 小经厂. Subway: Beixinqiao on Line 5.)
Phone: 13466775001, 15901080625
Open from 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.
Update: The above store has closed. If you know of any other physical, not-online stores selling Re-TROS’s music, let me know in the comments.
Re-TROS online:
Official Web site, MySpace page, Douban (豆瓣) page
NPR: China’s Latest Export: Anti-Establishment Music
Last.fm: Rebuilding the Rights of Statues
Audio: Chinese Indie Music Sampler – 旅行团 Life Journey
Jun 2nd
This is the second post in a (likely short) series of audio links to Chinese music I’ve bought, mostly rock and electronica. Most of the music in this series is by bands I’ve seen live. You can see the first post here.
The second band I’m featuring is 旅行团 (Life Journey). They are excellent musicians and a lot of fun live because they have great stage presence and are so fashionable. They sing in both English and Chinese.
Audio: 02 悠长假期
You can buy Life Journey’s music at:
The Chinese Underground Music, 89-3, 鼓楼东大街, Beijing
(Bus: 小经厂. Subway: Beixinqiao on Line 5.)
Phone: 13466775001, 15901080625
Open from 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.
Update: The above store has closed. If you know of any other physical, not-online stores selling Life Journey’s music, let me know in the comments.
Last time I checked, their music was also available at the bookstore next to Lush in Wudaokou.
Audio, Video: Chinese Indie Music Sampler – The Bigger Bang 大棒
Apr 26th
I’m starting a (likely short) series of audio links to Chinese music I’ve bought, mostly rock and electronica. Most of the music in this series is by bands I’ve seen live.
The first band I’m featuring is my favorite Chinese band, The Bigger Band 大棒. They are pretty good musicians from a technical standpoint and great entertainers, both live and in music videos. They don’t have an album out and the only way you can buy their music is online is on iLike, as far as I can tell.
Audio: 03 Down! Down! Down! [Demo]
Outside China? Watch the “Oh! You” music video on Facebook here.
You can see The Bigger Bang from 2:30 to 3:10 p.m. at Day One of Strawberry Music Festival this Saturday on the Strawberry Stage.
You can buy The Bigger Bang’s self-titled EP at:
The Chinese Underground Music, 89-3, 鼓楼东大街, Beijing
(Bus: 小经厂. Subway: Beixinqiao on Line 5.)
Phone: 13466775001, 15901080625
Open from 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.
Update: The above store has closed. If you know of any other physical, not-online stores selling The Bigger Bang’s music, let me know in the comments.
My Favorite Chinese Rock Bands
Nov 13th
Mainland China’s art and entertainment center is Beijing, and that includes its rock music. After seeing a fair amount of live rock in Beijing, I thought my favorite bands deserved a post. I’ve seen all of these bands live.
Life Journey – Live, this band reminds me a bit of a British rock band from the 1960s or 1970s. In recorded form, they sound more like a combination of folk and Chinese contemporary pop. They make great live entertainment, with stellar performance presence and fashion sense. I bought their six-song EP at Wudaokou’s most famous bookstore for 38 yuan.
Carsick Cars – This band experiments musically and reminds me a bit of Modest Mouse. I attended their album launch party last spring at Yugong Yishan and bought their album. They just finished touring the United States.
The Bigger Bang – This band sadly does not have any recorded material for sale, so fans have to make do with their MySpace page and live performances. You can tell the Yeah Yeah Yeahs have heavily influenced them in terms of everything from their sound to the lead singer’s current haircut. You can watch their music video on Facebook here.
Hedgehog – This is probably
Beijing’s most popular rock band, and they’re going to tour the U.S. this year. With a 3-member lineup of drummer, guitarist, and bassist, the easiest way to describe their sound and performance style is alternative rock. You can order one of their albums online with free U.S. delivery here.
Online resources for Chinese rock:
Places in Beijing to see rock concerts:
Mao Live (which has a record store nearby where you can buy Chinese rock)
Modern Sky’s semiannual music festivals
Do you like any of my favorite Chinese rock bands or rock music venues? What are your favorite Chinese bands and venues? I look forward to your comments.
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