Jade

For many people, when they think of Chinese music, they think of the typical overly cutesy or slow songs that all sound the same. However, did you know that the Chinese indie music scene is flourishing and contributes to the indie scene as much as their western counterparts?

Here are some of Indie bands for you guys to hear some different/experimental/fresh music! ENJOY!

My little airport

(http://www.mylittleairport.com/)

One of Hong Kong’s best kept secrets, My Little Airport is an electro-noise-pop duet comprised of Nicole (the unassuming and charming vocalist) and P (who plays the guitar, keyboards and writes most songs).

Here are links to some of their songs:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BTpwETrBqIM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r15_zMxLMG0&feature=related

Lonely China Day

(http://lonelychinaday.com/)

Lonely China Day is a band from Beijing who just finished their debut tour in the U.S., taking them through New York, the Midwest and culminating at the SXSW.

Their music can be described as a kind of glitch-alternative rock. Lonely China Day can be compared to the likes of Radiohead with their driving rock beats and spices of electronic & synth effects.

Here are links to some of their songs:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7sWZ1ONLip4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eTBUFclEyxE

Gemini Trip

(http://www.modernsky.com/records/g011.htm)

Composer and vocalist HuZi and Wang Juan from Shanghai joined forces to form Gemini Trip. Released on Modernsky’s electronic sub-label Guava, they create an original blend of ephemeral electronic music and ballads. Offering an electronic texture compatible with vocals, this down-tempo music is a raw take on the overproduced numbers.
Here are links to some of their songs:

http://www.tudou.com/programs/view/TFQzjeUwhvc/

http://beautifullnoise.blogspot.com/2009/03/hu-zi-wang-juan-gemini-trip-2008.html

I hope you guys enjoyed the music and that this opened your eyes and made you realize that the Chinese music scene goes way beyond Jay Chou and Wang Lee Hom (Even though I have to admit that they are awesome nonetheless).

Autumn’s Concerto 下一站，幸福 (Next Stop, Happiness)

So recently, I have started watching a new Taiwanese drama called Autumn’s Concerto (thanks to the recommendation of one of my littles, Samantha ), which I have found to be quite entertaining and moving. Basically, it’s about Ren Guang Xi, a self-absorbed, arrogant law student and talent hockey player who is the sole successor to a large business, but who cannot see any meaning to his life until he meets Liang Mu Chen, a poor bento seller who relies on her determination to live her life and enjoy it, despite the hardships she has experienced and continues to face. See the link to the trailer below for a more complete preview of the drama:

http://www.viikii.net/videos/watch/41244/0/autumn-s-concerto-trailer.html

For those of you who have seen Meteor Garden before or know of F4, the popular boy band from the early 2000s, the main actor Vanness Wu (originally from California) looks a lot better in this drama than he did in Meteor Garden. And for all the guys out there, the main actress (Ady An) is quite pretty:

Anyway, I highly recommend this drama to anyone who has a bit of free time or is looking for something to do during a study break. The story is pretty fast-paced and there’s a super sketchy, creeper uncle who keeps things interesting, haha.

Music Videos

Ding Dang 丁噹- 我愛他 (I Love Him) 下一站, 幸福 OST

(original url: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q_7YuSJ3wn8)
This is an MV of a song from the drama and the latest album of Della, a mainland singer with a pretty powerful voice. It’s about a couple and how the girl discovers that the guy is cheating on her. In the beginning, you see an investigator visit her apartment and then you find out that the guy is now dead. The question is: how did he die? Did she murder him, was it a suicide, or something else? Can you guys figure it out?

Evan Yo 蔡旻佑 – 小乖乖 (Litte Cutie)

(original url: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=REXRotRDBGU)
As if to confirm how games like Farmville (the application on Facebook) is taking over the world, Farmville makes its first appearance in a music video. This song and MV are pretty cute, as is the actress, Michelle Chen, who went to USC.

I can’t fathom what was going through Evan’s stylist’s head when he/she picked out the clothes for this MV and let him get that mushroom-looking haircut >.<

Crowd Lu 盧廣仲 – OH YEAH!

(original url: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MfrvRG9AnII)
Speaking of weird styles and mushroom haircuts, Crowd Lu, who is known for his odd sense of style- the hair, long socks, awkward large framed glasses, T-shirt, and gym shorts (see below)- has come out with a new album.

You might wonder how a guy who looks like this could become famous, in such a short time, if at all, (I’m not BSing here- he’s actually become quite well-known in Asia and has won his fair share of music awards) but I guess his style does set him apart from the competition. His new song is pretty catchy and reflects his indie/soft rock/R&B musical style.

**Bonus MV: Tank -會長大的幸福 Happiness That Grows

(original url: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sMrKJkPlmhk)
So in case you’re not yet completely sick of watching Chinese MVs yet, I think you should watch this one by my favorite artist/singer/composer, Tank. Not only is this song good, there’s a guest appearance by yours truly Think you can spot me?