Banana Monkey and Rolling Bowling @ YYT

Last night YYT hosted an Indie-Rockabilly “dance-off”. It was a great show, with Shanghai locals Banana Monkey and Rolling Bowling from Beijing. The Clampdown DJs and DJ B.O. also battled it out on the decks before/between/after the sets. The event drew a mildly enthusiastic crowd, open to a bit of head bopping and one surprise mosh that died out pretty quickly. There has recently been a lot of interest in retro indie, rockabilly throwbacks, and all-vinyl DJ sets in the Shanghai music scene. A few weeks ago Shelter hosted Keb Darge, the famed DJ of Northern soul and rockabilly, and that all-vinyl set really brought people out of the woodwork.  The crowd is generally a combination of serious 60s groupies and people just looking for a break in the nsst-nsst-nsst nightlife Shanghai so readily offers. It’s an interesting effect, mostly informed by dance moves from the 60s, portraits of James Dean, and the “soulful” music of Lana Del Ray. Either way, the intentions are good and the music is great. Looking forward to more shows like this in the future.

The Mary Onettes and Running Blue @ YYT

A satisfying throw-back to 80s sensibilities…The Mary Onettes all the way from Jönköping, Sweden. Support by local band, Running Blue.

I Hart Shanghai: Air Walker and Daniel Hart @ YYT

Daniel Hart stopped by Shanghai again last night, all the way from 美国’s beautiful west coast.  It was a solid show with support from Air Walker (who will be opening for the Mary Onettes this weekend and you should totally check that out!). Daniel opened with One Night In Beijing, which just so happens to be my favorite KTV song (ironic seeing as I rather dislike Beijing and have not had even one night there for which I have any nostalgic longing…okay, okay maybe I’ve had one night.) For the rest of the set, he was supported by Fabien (of The Rogue Transmission, et al.) on drums, a clandestine pairing. I’ve seen Daniel Hart in Shanghai before, and will certainly see him again when he returns (as I hope he does).

Now, here’s the awkward part, dear readers. Where was everyone? As you’ll see from the gallery below, it was kind of an empty show. Why? It wasn’t expensive. It wasn’t late. The weather was great. It got good coverage on smartshanghai, city weekend, timeout, etc. Time and time again I hear people hate on the Shanghai music scene, or lack thereof, and yet hardly anyone comes to shows like this (triply so if it’s a weeknight). Of course, the summer shenanigans with headliners like Metallica or the high-school memories garnered by Korn and  Limp Bizkit get packed because there’s a feeling of “When else will this ever happen?!” and also, it’s awesome. I love it, support it, and want more.

But what I also want to see is more musicians like Daniel Hart, Jens Lekman, St. Vincinet etc. It’s hard for these acts to come to China with visa requirements and travel costs. It’s definitely a risk, and unless there is an enthusiastic crowd showing just how awesome our city is and how much we appreciate the effort of these musicians who come all the way across the world to play in our little live houses, then there is no way more acts will want to come.

Empty your Sherpas delivery cart, eject that pirated dvd, put down that 20th Tiger at Windows Too, and come out to shows! Yes, even on a weeknight. Yes, even for an act you might not be totally into. This is how we get and keep artists interested in playing this amazing city. This is how we build a rich and vibrant music culture here in Shanghai. Go. To. Shows. 

 

 

 

中秋节快乐！

Happy Mid-Autumn Festival! (zhōngqiū jié kuàilè, 中秋节快乐)

To celebrate I avoided moon cakes, made my most favorite round food, pizza, and went to the Mid-Autmn Folk Night at Yuyintang featuring Thursday in Shanghai and The Horde. I love week-night shows at Yuyintang. For the weekly folk night, they pull in the patio furniture and turn the space into something slightly more romantic than is possible for weekend shows, which are always crowded (and awesome, of course, but crowded). The highlight of the night was probably how much the predominately Chinese crowd loved The Horde’s singular Chinese song. They loved it, I loved it, and I loved them loving it. So much love, people. So much love. And isn’t that what holidays celebrating big moons are really all about?

Album Release: Girls Like Mystery, Distance Changes Everything

Album cover art by M.M. Plumm

I was lucky enough to have been at the first appearance of Girls Like Mystery back in 2010 when they played a free Wednesday night show at Yuyintang. The band initially formed out of mutual interest (and maybe too much free time) when the boys were all teaching at Shanghai High School. The teacher’s quarters at Shanghai High School seem a veritable music factory, producing other acts such as the since disbanded Rainbow Danger Club and Threshold of Forest. I’ve seen them grow (both figuratively and literally…last night, there were about 15 dudes on stage. Okay, maybe more like 6, but still…) into the polished act they are today. For those of us who have been with GLM since the beginning, last night’s album release party was a long time coming. Shanghai 24/7 did a great piece on the band and the album, Distance Changes Everything: read here.

The show rocked with support from Blue Magpie, En Route, The Cyders, and of course DJ Boss. Even with the torrential rain earlier that day, by the time GLM took the stage the floor was packed. Congrats guys. Looking forward to hearing what’s next!

Two-Wheeled Mixtape V2

After rain shower, late-night ride with this in my ears.

Money to Burn, The Management, Climbing to New Lows
Too Much Love, LCD Soundsystem, LCD Soundsystem
Still Ill, The Smiths, Rank
He Doesn’t Know Why, Fleet Foxes, Fleet Foxes
The Happening, Pixies, Bossanova
Slow Show, The National, Boxer 
So Much Beauty in Dirt, Modest Mouse, Everywhere and His Nasty Parlor Tricks
My Night with the Prostitute from Marseille, Beirut, March of the Zapotec

Two-Wheeled Mixtape

There might be nothing more pleasant than taking an early morning ride in the French Concession, especially in late summer when temperatures have cooled but the leaves on the trees are still green and full. This morning was particularly spectacular, with the orchestrated chaos of people headed work for the beginning of the week. Here is what was in my ears…

Ragged Wood, Fleet Foxes Ragged Wood
Reckoner, Radiohead In Rainbows
Future, Cut Copy Bright Like Neon Love
Home Sweet Home, Those Dancing Days In Our Space Hero Suits
This Devil’s Workday, Modest Mouse Good News for People Who Love Bad News 
Of Moons, Birds, and Monsters, MGMT Oracular Spectacular 
Some Loud Thunder, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah Some Loud Thunder 
Cemetery Gates, The Smiths, Thank My Lucky Stars
The Wolves (Act I and II) Bon Iver, For Emma, Forever Ago

Enjoy!