We spoke to post-rockers Caspian ahead of their China tour

By Andrew Chin, March 4, 2014

Post-rock group Caspian won universal raves for their 2012 album Waking Season. The five-piece instrumental band will showcase the record during their five-city tour through China. Guitarist Philip Jamieson chats about their last visit, the next record and head banging.

Any memories from your 2010 China tour?
We only did two shows and it was enjoyable, albeit rushed. It took more time to fly there and back than we spent on the ground. We did a festival for 2,000 people that had never heard of us, which we love. That sticks out the most.

Waking Season was named post-rock album of the year by Spin. How’s the follow-up?
We don’t have a specific idea where we want to go but we don’t want to replicate our last record. It would be nice to retain some of the textual elements of Waking Season and combine it with heavier, more direct music but we’ll see how it develops naturally.

Would you work with a vocalist?
We’ve definitely considered it and were pleased to feature direct vocals on a song from our last album. We’d love to use more vocals in the future and do more collaborations.

Playing instrumentals sidesteps language barriers. What countries have really dug you?

It differs from night to night rather than region. People who see live music less, in general, seem to let go much easier and enjoy themselves more, whether it’s in Eastern Europe or Midwest America.

Who’s the most enthusiastic when they’re playing?
I wouldn’t say we’re spastic performers but our performances really are a workout. There’s a lot of movement, lots of head banging and bouncing around.

// Shenzhen: Mar 11, 8.30pm, RMB70-100. B10 Live, North District, OCT-Loft, Shantou Jie, Nanshan District 南山区华侨城创意文化园北区B10栋北侧 (文昌南街) (8633 7602)

// Guangzhou: Mar 12, 8pm, RMB70-100. T:union, 361-365 Guangzhou DadaoZhong, Yuexiu District 越秀区广州大道中361-365号东方花苑首层 (3659 7623)

// Beijing: Mar 13, 9pm, RMB80-120. MAO Livehouse, 111 Gulou Dong Dajie, Dongcheng District 东城区鼓楼东大街111号 (6402 5080)

// Shanghai: Mar 15, 8.30pm, RMB80-120. QSW Cultural Center, 179 Yichang Lu, by Jiangning Lu 宜昌路179号, 近江宁路 (6215 9844, newnoise.cn)

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