The Beijing rockers burst onto the scene around the same time as Hedgehog, Queen Sea Big Shark and Carsick Cars with a riotous dance punk sound akin to Yeah Yeah Yeahs. Over the years, they’ve evolved into a sparkling electro-indie band but as their latest single shows, they're started Chapter 3 of their musical story. We chat with the group's front woman Pupi about their new lineup and new sound as they bring their mini national tour to Yuyintang on December 3.
Congratulations on the new single and music video. What was it about ‘Nobody Will Live Your Life For You Except Yourself’ that made it stand out?
Thank you. The band had some changes last year, but we've spent a pretty long time rehearsing, jamming and trying out new sounds with our new guitarist and bassist, Liu Shuang and Dayang. This song was the first one we created with the new guys - a new start, a new, a simple sound with a simple truth. Nobody will live your life for you except yourself. You need no reference, you can be anything you want to be.
Musically, it’s a little harder sounding than Celebrate. How has the band’s sound evolved since that release?
Yes, the whole Celebrate EP sounds much softer, but before that we also had harder sound. I think we just go with the flow, because every song is created at a time where every person has their own unique energy but that changes naturally over time. So we just go with it.
Rumor has it that you’re working on an album. How it’s going and when it might come out?
We now have enough songs, so after this tour we will get down and deal with the details. I think the album will come out next year.
Can you give us any details on some of the inspirations?
I actually find I'm not listening to music that much. It's like a cleanse and rest for my mind and ears. Too much information is like air pollution, it makes you feel lost. Although I recently discovered these African pop songs from the 1970s like the Lijadu Sisters and Fela Kuti on my boyfriend's playlist that I've been liking.
The polluted air and the occasinal clear skies in Beijing is also a kind of inspiration, although I would prefer something else. And Jiddu Krishnamurti's books have been my great inspiration for years.
Why have you decided to tour China before the album release?
Besides the new single, we're planning to play other new songs on the tour. We haven't recorded them yet, so people can only hear these songs for now at our live shows. Plus, it's been awhile since we last toured. I'm also curision to see how our chemistry with the new guys will be on tour. But we will definitely tour again when the new album is out - it will be longer and may not only be in China.
Last year you toured Europe. How was the experience?
It was awesome. We played at one of the biggest music festivals in Barcelona with thousands of people in the audience. We also played at a restaurant in the countryside of France - we had to stop the music because the next door neighbor, an old man with his pajamas on ran in and on stage, took my microphone and said "too loud" in French. We partied with the presidents of a university in Germany after playing at a school party.
Da Bang came out at a very exciting time in Beijing music.What are your thoughts on the city's music scene now?
It's very different. The market is growing crazily but the scene is getting boring. I'm not sure if there is an underground or independent music scene in Beijing anymore. When we started eight years ago, there was a lot of cooperation between artists in sound, vision and design. These days in Beijing, it's hard to talk about things without money. There are more opportunities but also more limits. But on the bright side, artists are starting to get compensated.
Do you think there is more interest in local indie music in China now compared to when you first started?
I think so. From my point of view, artists in Beijing have more opportunities to play than ever. And today people are getting more and more bored with the mainstream idea of beauty. They don't want things that are fake like fast food or feels like plastic. They're waiting and new new stuff, but they also need time to accept new things.
How will you balance the song choices for this tour?
We will play some new songs and some old songs, I think will be half and half.
Dec 3, 8.30-11pm, RMB80-100. Yuyintang.
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