Comprising a trifecta of backgrounds and styles, 心杂音 (xīn záyīn) is made up of Morgan from Lille, France, Nana from Guangdong and Dongbeiren Douzi on the drums. The name of the band translates to 'Heart Murmer,' but Morgan insists that we call them by their Mandarin moniker.
Nana and Morgan both share the stagefront on guitar and vocals with an extra peppering of flute and harmonica from the Franc. Douzi's mastery of complex drumming patterns creates a rhythmic updraft with which the guitarists and vocalists take flight into the “random-rock” stratosphere.
The band often rehearses at a Guangzhou venue called Ao Yin. Photo via Xin Zayin
Morgan has dubbed their music random rock in jest towards the concept of genres in general:
“We love postpunk, lo-fi, garage, folk but somehow feel the genres can be surprising while being blended. While loving post-punk tension, we are too happy of people to do it justice.
“While being hyper, we also love some slow grooves. Our music reflects how life feels — always switching moods. If anything Velvet Underground, the godfathers of punk, are exactly what the band embodies.”
Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination and life to everything, crooned the Greek philosopher Plato to me while we watched 心杂音 erratically covering one of their friend’s own songs.
Xin Zayin performing at one of Guangzhou's more intimate music spaces: TOTE. Image via Xin Zayin
“As I’m getting older, I feel a bit blasé and consider music should be mostly for fun and even better if it can make other people happy too,” Morgan continues. “Meanings of life and emotions constantly vary for me so setting them for good means nothing to me at the moment.
“We value spontaneity and randomness. And if my circle of friends are happy dancing, it is good enough to keep it going until the next show.”
We've seen the band perform three times and erratic and passionate are two words that come to mind when watching them perform. When admitted to Morgan he suggests adding, “romantic and messy. Sloppy at times but not apologetic. Happy to be a big jammy mess.”
The band playing at a mental health fundraising event. Image via Xin Zayin
It results in a combination of experimental rock similar to Yo La Tengo, a wave of sound like My Bloody Valentine, and as unpredictable, energetic and charismatic as Joy Division and Lou Reed.
Morgan is reluctant to consider himself a songwriter for the permanence of it. “As for songwriting, I am reluctant to finish anything or set anything in stone. The songs are like an excuse, a canvas upon which we free ourselves when it comes alive. Our sounds match our perception of life in real-time.
“It can be confusing for the audience but you are warned and also welcome to join in and contribute. We would benefit musically from more practice but we would lose on the emotional side. Moreover, routine scares me the most.”
Purists might scoff at this strategy until they witness the trio discharge their whole souls in a musical exorcism.
Image via Xin Zayin
If anything, the shows go beyond music equating to anime-levels of wholesomeness and Jackson Pollock proportions of randomness and beauty.
For the bona fide music enthusiasts in Guangzhou, we recommend watching them perform at Woohoo! Rock Festival in TOTE on May 13 for RMB80 or RMB100 at the door.
Other bands performing include urban classics like A Reptile Dysfunction, Rants and Tangents (who combine punk with Southern rock for a tight mix), classic post-punk rock band Shiver Shadow (who Nana from 心杂音 also performs with), and Osfutek, who love a bit of indie rock with pleasant vocals over top.
[Cover image via Xin Zayin]
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