I’m guessing that most of Beijing Noise’s readers would have taken a look at the post I did about Rock In China’s comments on Maybe Mars/D-22. If not, go read it now; we’ve had 57 comments so far, most of them thought provoking.
While opinions are varied, it does seem that D-22 and Maybe Mars are being talked about simply because they, more than anyone else, are taking Chinese alternative music in new directions. One thing people seem to be agreeing upon is that bands/musicians/etc. need to be getting out there and doing stuff. As Matthew Niederhauser commented:
the alternative music scene in China definitely needs a good kick in the ass and some new blood. May bands spring forth across China’s interior! Letting a hundred flowers blossom and a hundred schools of thought contend is the policy for promoting progress in the arts!
This got me thinking about how to go about doing things that could improve the music scene here – things like holding shows, starting a venue or a label, recording a music video – and I quickly realised I wouldn’t know where to begin with a lot of these. I’m guessing that I’m not the only one either.
My plan, then, is to begin a series of “How-to Guides” on certain aspects of the music industry. Beijing could benefit greatly from a good dose of DIY ethics (not that it isn’t already around with some bands/people). I’m hoping that everyone who reads this blog can have some sort of input into the content. My first goal is to make a list of what areas should be covered. The current list is this:
- Start a band
- Get a gig
- Record an album
- Start a record label
- Make a film clip
- Get your music distributed
- Go on tour
- Open a venue
- Start a music blog
- Publish a music magazine
If you disagree with these, or can think of a good addition, please, please, please post a comment! I’m over having to say the Beijing music scene; I hope one day I can say the Beijing music community.
6 Comments
Ha, I have started a similar thing, although it’s not focused on solely music, just what I do …and it’s just started so I haven’t been telling people about it.
Indie Everything
I’d seen your new site Andy, I think it might have subconsciously inspired me
My goal with this is to have resources for people to use. Say if you want to start a band you need to know: Where you can find people to play with, where practice rooms are, where you can by cheap instruments, etc.
tenzenmen is ALWAYS looking for new music from China to stock in my distro! so when you’ve started your bands and recorded something – get a couple of copies to me! pass the message on! if you see a cool band play live somewhere, ask them if they have a cd and if tenzenmen stocks it!
If possible, I would like to add a “DIY Music Video – Part I” with general ideas, tips and hints for bands on how they can do simple video without too much effort involved. Not too much about technique, but about ideas and style …
Voila, one attempt at that topic is online:
http://h1753510.stratoserver.net/w/DIY_-_On_how_to_do_a_music_video
the best way to contribut is to do like beijingnoise, beijing daze, rockinchina.com, beijinggigguide.com, weliveinbeijing.com, china music radar, layabozi.com etc, just start writing something about what you know/witnessed in China: gigs you have visited, bands you like, releases you think are cool etc. Just spread the word about Chinese rock music. There is so much happening and a lot of it are quite catchy or innovative even. What you like, share it with others, in words, photos, videos, links, what ever works for you. But most importantly, translate what you come across into English! The most lacking point in Chinese rock is the language and cultural barrier. You are here in China, you are learning the language and the cultural difference, count yourself as lucky to be a witness of this exciting new uprising force, be part of it! In 5 or 10 years, things will be much more and different and difficult to do something easily. So, what ever you can do, just get started, anything you actively do will benefit the scene and it’s growth.