While less heralded than Beijing, Shanghai boasts a robust and eclectic music scene. Despite the city's constant influx and exodus of people, this year has offered a boon of releases from remixed metal to straight-up Mandopop and everything in between. Discover your new favorite local band in this chronological five-part series.
Damacha: Perfume/Tuhao Jin/Grindstuff (w/Pete Chen)
Released: Apr 13/May 25/Aug 31
Buy the album: Perfume, Tuhao Jin, Grindstuff (Bandcamp)
Follow: Facebook, Soundcloud
Style: Footwork/hip hop
It was a big year for the American producer who has been a staple at The Shelter. Always prolific, Damacha released a trio of standout records that expanded his sound. Things kicked off with the luxury perfume themed Perfume EP that expanded on his broken boom bap sound. On TuHaoJin, he pays tribute to the country's uncouthed rich with a full length footwork exercise built on samples of disco records commonly sold by street vendors. He followed the SVBKVLT released disc by linking up with acclaimed Guangzhou hip hop producer Pete Chen on the Groove Bunny split release beat tape, Grindstuff.
Loudspeaker: Demo
Released: Apr 27
Buy the album: Bandcamp
Follow: Douban
Style: Hardcore
Formed in 1999, this group has been holding it down for the local punk scene. Over the years, they’ve shed their early skate punk influences for a hardcore direction. This year, they released these three tracks on Bandcamp, showing that the vets remain in fiery form.
Round Eye: Round Eye
Released: June 9
Buy the album: Bandcamp
Follow: Facebook, Douban, official website
Style: Art punk
Known for their wild gigs that doubled as parties, Round Eye gets serious on their full-length debut. Alternative icons like saxophonist Steve McKay (The Stooges, Violent Femmes) and R. Stevie Moore join local stalwarts Apphia Campbell and J3 Trio's Huang Jainyi in lending a hand to this opus inspired by late nights (and the mornings after) in the city. Released in China and America, the boys spent the summer touring both countries extensively. For more, check out our feature on Round Eye.
Ficklemusic: The Triumph of Nostalgia
Released: June 12
Buy the album: Bandcamp
Follow: Bandcamp
Style: Lo-fi indie
Longtime Shanghai resident Arran Hawkins is best known for his contributions to the city’s theater scene, recently serving as director to Apphia Campbell’s hit show Black is the Colour of My Voice. He indulges his musical side on this charming lo-fi project recorded with a couple British mates.
XXYY: XXYY
Released: June 13
Buy the album: Bandcamp
Style: Punk
The punk trio had been Yuyintang mainstays these past years, bringing a consistently rocking show and building a bridge between the expat and domestic rock scenes. However with bassist Mike Bush leaving the city, they did the Last Waltz thing releasing their self-titled EP to coincide with a raging farewell show.
Anfang Team: Minhang Boys and Girls Anti-Cheat Guide
Released: June 17
Buy the album: Xiami
Follow: Douban
Style: Indie rock
Shanghai’s college rock scene isn’t as renowned as Beijing, but it has produced a few recent standouts in Naohai and Feima. Formed in 2012, Anfang Team are following in these noisy footsteps with their melodic take on noisy pop punk. They toured the country in support of their debut album, Minhang Boys and Girls Anti-Cheat Guide, building up their youthful following.
Pan Daijing//Charm//X-Ray: Split Tape
Released: June 25
Buy the album: Bandcamp
Follow: Huashan Records Bandcamp
Style: Darkwave
Known for merging dark electronics with performance art, Pan Daijing has been provoking artists at venues ranging from The Shelter to Rockbund Art Museum. Recently accepted to the Red Bull Music Academy, which AM444’s ChaCha attended in 2011, Pan links up with Beijing kindred spirit Charm for this Huashan Records released split cassette.
For more Sounds of Shanghai, check out: Part One, Part Two, Part Four and Part Five.
0 User Comments