Merely months away from its milestone 10th anniversary, Beijing label Maybe Mars has helped define China’s indie cool. Their latest act, Gate to Otherside, agrees.
“Maybe Mars has developed a crowd and a sensibility about music that we’ve all inherited to some degree,” says bassist Alex Turner, citing labelmates Ourself Beside Me, Snapline and Carsick Cars as influences.
“They’re wonderful in that they don’t push music, plans or commercial activities on their artists. There’s a very simple commonality – we are the same thing that they are – and everything flows naturally from that.”
Although the trio is comprised of veterans in Beijing’s music scene (Turner and vocalist/guitarist Sun Heting previously played in Carsick Cars, while drummer Jiang Mengyang is a member of riot grrrl punks Free Sex Shop), Turner describes their formation as “chance.”
“Jiang and Sun happened to be jamming for fun and they liked what they made, but needed a bassist,” he explains. “Moreover, there was the feeling in each of us when we started playing that this was something we should do, that it was natural. This ‘ought’ comes from the environment of the Beijing music scene and that each of us were ready to start making music.”
While Turner admits that “the scene has declined,” he’s hopeful that Gate to Otherside, along with other Beijing upstarts like Lonely Leary, Future Orients, TOE and Dice, will turn things around.
“There’s a gap open to young new bands, especially since crowds seem to be growing,” he says. “Kids are looking for something right now. When they find it, everyone will know.”
With a sound that marries psychedelia with the hooks found in Maybe Mars stalwarts like Carsick Cars and The Gar, Gate to Otherside have succeeded in their goal of “trying to make a specific world with every song.”
“One thing the three of us enjoy in both listening and playing is that music can be transported from one world to another, which we’re learning to create,” Turner adds.
Already live favorites in Beijing’s underground scene, the group will be ready for their national close-up with the release of their debut disc, Dragon Bus Terminal. The album was recorded and produced by Brian Jonestown Massacre co-founder Ricky Maymi, who will also produce Maybe Mars stalwarts Birdstriking’s sophomore disc.
“Recording was quick and concentrated, which didn’t allow for hesitation or regret,” Turner says. "When we did come to a crossroads, Ricky was there to be a guide – ‘Left sucks, you should go right.’ This was especially helpful for a young band’s first album. His experience with songwriting and understanding of what kind of sound international listeners will respond to was invaluable.”
To support the disc, the group is embarking on their first national tour, which stops off at Yuyintang on April 28. Turner admits, “We have some work to do before the tour, but if we’re nervous, it’s because we’re young and excited. I bet the crowds are too.”
Despite just dropping their debut late last month, the band is already eyeing their sophomore disc. “It’s already been a year since we finished recording, but in that time we’ve collected a lot of new material," Turner says.
“We’ll use the summer after the tour to put it through the grinder and make our next piece.”
Apr 28, 8.30pm, RMB60-80. Yuyintang.
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