Chinese reggae may seem like an oxymoron, but for nine years, Beijing’s Long Shen Dao has been spreading the good word of Marley and friends. While their reputation has spread abroad, they’re hitting the road for their longest national tour yet, stopping off at MAO Livehouse on December 18.
“There’s quite a lot of similarities between reggae and traditional Chinese music in terms of mood and spirit. While they take different approaches, they both achieve the same results on the listener’s soul,” says singer Guo Zhen.
While he admits that it can be difficult mixing native instruments like the guzheng with the established sounds of reggae, Guo shrugs about the challenges.
“Music, like life, always needs to keep developing,” he says. “The new supersedes the old. So let’s just start and do it, then promote it.”
That attitude led to the formation of Long Shen Dao in 2007. Comprised of veterans of Beijing’s rock scene, the six-member group realized there was not a single reggae band on the scene and rushed to fill the musical void.
“We weren’t really digging what was popular and as we began performing, we gained more fans and friends interested in understanding reggae,” Guo says.
“Over the years, we’ve received a lot of support from other musicians encouraging us to do something so few people in the country were doing.”
With a name that can be translated as the Tao of Dragon God, the group instantly struck a chord. Their first show in Beijing eight years ago was sold out and critics were eager to dub them “China’s first authentic reggae band.”
Their 2012 debut Tai Chi Reggae nabbed them numerous domestic music awards and touring opportunities abroad. While the band may instantly make an impression to international audiences with their long dreadlocks, Long Shen Dao earned respect by delivering the musical goods.
“We’re playing Africa’s largest reggae musical festival next year,” Guo exclaims. “It’s going to be great being in an environment with so many cultures, interacting with and appreciating each other.”
The singer credits the touring experience for helping the band evolve on their sophomore album, Freedom.
“From playing so many shows, we’ve tightened up our rhythm and have new understandings over arrangements and lyrics,” Guo says.
Released this year on China’s largest independent label, Modern Sky, Freedom sees the group collaborating with Dutch DJ crew PartySquad and UK producer Vibronics. Guo also notes, “I wanted to delve deeper into my feelings,” while hoping the album “paves for even more growth on the next album.”
While the band were among the headlining acts of this year’s Strawberry Music Festival, they’re eager to embark on this 21-city tour of China.
“When you tour in a foreign country, there’s a sense that everything is fresh,” Guo says. “We hope we have that same relaxed happy mood on this national tour. We look forward to bringing reggae fusion to the country and showing the world where all these different styles of dance fit perfectly.”
Dec 18, 8.30-10pm, RMB100. MAO Livehouse, see event listing.
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