June 17th, 2009 |
Posted in Articles by mache
He says his influences go from old classic such as Chopin, to new classics like Boards of Canada, and his sounds have been compared with those of Flying Lotus, Burial, Battles, and Ratatat. Jason Chung, aka Nosaj Thing is emerging from darkness, straight into the spotlights with laptops, beating gadgets, and good vibes to forge his musical path. After years of DJing in LA, Nosaj Thing got highlighted last year because of his impressive remixes. Noticed by producers and other musicians he has been directed to brighter spaces, for his music to be properly rejoiced in.
Last June 9th Nosaj Thing released his first LP “Drift” by Alpha Pup Records. The album has been warmly welcome by the world electronic community. Nosaj Thing is getting more coverage every day. Now 23 years old, he began his sonic trip at the tender age of 13. He experimented with sounds coming from hip hop, drum ‘n bass, classic, indie rock, and electronica. “Drift” is a good recounting of his introduction to music, with atmospheres in chilled landscapes and peaceful tones. As he said to Flavorwire, “Certain songs that I write, for me, I think of as therapeutic. I start off by doing some basic sound design and try to sculpt a sound to fit the mood I’m in. Then I add a chord progression or melody; I rarely start with drums.”
Nosaj Thing will be playing Shanghai, sponsored by Free the Wax, this Friday at YuYinTang. On Saturday he will do a workshop on production work and beat making at The Factory.
For now, just get these two tracks from his 2006 EP, “Octopus”. Enjoy the beats.
Flying Lotus – Nosaj Thing Remix “Camel”
Radiohead – Nosaj Thing Remix “Reckoner”
tags: Burial - Canada - Drum 'n Bass - Electronic - Free the Wax - gadgets - Hip Hop - Indie - Racks - Ratatat - Rock - Shanghai - YuYinTang
May 6th, 2009 |
Posted in Live Music Reviews by mache
Some of my friends are sad that last weekend is over already and some others are happy it is finally over. Last weekend China was invaded by music, it’s been a non-stop music trip since Layabozi began its operations, and the ride is getting more intense every time. One would imagine after a year of this we would already be used to these “rush-hour” weeks of music, but still sometimes it’s overwhelming.
I began May holiday on Thursday night at the already classic Antidote party at C’s, which had an indie rock theme for this edition. I arrived late, right after Brad Ferguson finished his DJ set. Michael Michael told me that when Brad came he said he was thinking about playing a set of Mexican Rock, Michael said to him immediately “Do it! Do it!”. And Brad did it, and it seemed like it was a total success. Shame on me: it’s one more set to add to my list of “I would like to have listened to…”.
The good news was that the weekend was just beginning. So when DJ Sacco took control of the C’s booth, my music trip began. Super Sophia was just coming from the gig with Army of Freshman at YuYinTang, right on time for us to dive on the dance floor together at DJ Sacco’s great set, the crowd danced and enjoyed the sound of the very well chosen electronic guitars and dirty drums.
From Antidote’s at C’s the flow guided us to LOgO. We made it to the after party, after Reptile and Retard, who I knew rocked Vox Bar in Wuhan the week before with the Antidote guys. DJ Alex was on the tables when we arrived to LogO, and though it was the first time I listened to him, the music was fantastic, the place was not very busy, but the right people were there to have the perfect end of the night.
Friday’s music began early evening at YuYinTang with the gig of Crazy Mushroom Brigade , Andy Best’s own favorite Shanghainese band. 仆仆 (Pu Pu ), leader and singer of the band, has total dominion over the stage and the music this time sounded much clearer than other times I’ve heard them. I had fun with them. Creature was the Canadian band, the big dish of the Split Works night. The sound at YuYinTang was really impressive, so much it’s worth it to mention it. The place was full, not packed and impossible, but full enough to not be able to walk around freely. So it was a wonder who was causing the magic there. It just took a look to the back, to see by the soundboard a new face, someone totally unfamiliar, very possible the responsible for the miracle. I hope that whatever was the cause of the great sound is already fixed and set for good at YuYinTang’s soundboard.
Creature, the Canadian band, was very fun, the chicks were sexy, the music was tight, the front man was strong, and again, the sound was miraculous. I was planning to run after to LogO to end at The Shelter, but I was caught by Coco and his friends, and YuYinTang’s garden was haunting, and the people stayed long after the music was over. So the safe way out of there was straight to home.
Saturday came too soon, and the hang over from last night was annoying, but everything was still working perfect. Mike called me to go for dinner, and right after I followed him to his gig, the first set at JZ with Tico’s trio for Latin Jazz. The three members of the band are Tico Cardenas on the piano, Mike “Big Duck” Brownell on double bass, and Pablo Ortega on drums. This trio has been together for some time already, and their concept is pretty cool. Tico is the lead man mixing the Latin and the jazz sound, Mike brings the swing jazzy colors into the latin grooves, and Pablo the Latin drums, with a nice swing touch. All was cool, just when it’s about Latin music, I can’t just passed by without saying, why is always about tropical sounds? Latin music is as vast as Chinese food, and so I’m hoping soon I’ll get to hear some news on Shanghai Latin music scene, some Argentinean zamba, tango, maybe a Peruvian waltz, or some Mexican rancheras (notice I’m not being that picky, if so, I would be asking for some Andean tunes or a Sau Sau). Anyway, these guys are pretty cool, and I must say that you all should go and check them, specially the most awesome, good looking, and coolest bass player ever (who incidentally is our chief editor, and I better pay the proper respects here or I may get fired).
I would have loved to stay to hear JQ with the Abraham Carmona doing their flamenco fusion, but I had to run to Anar. Lions of Puxi have been a success
in constant growth since last year. These French-Chinese-Mauritius guys are having so much fun together, it is impossible to avoid their happiness. All of them have been going through different experiments The Swing Gum Dynasty, The Gypsy Jazz band, Noukilla, the Mauritius sega band. And now when you see them on the stage, you can feel with them, this is what they were looking for. They fit together, everyone of them brings their own style and all together they create a general mood of joy, which is perfectly guided by the rhythm of their reggae vibe. Anar has a cool stage and the Lions clearly feel comfortable there. The band finished playing and all the guys jumped off the stage and left quickly, they are all working a lot and the day after there was a recording session for a Jazz album for some of them, TV for others, and a rest day for a few.
Next was again LOgO, Sweet Snacks with S.T.D. The band just finished playing when I arrived, and the general vibe of the people was very satisfied with the gig. The DJ sets began right after. There were four guys in the booth, and a VJ in the back. The graphics were great, and the sound was very impressive too. At this point I was thinking it might be because the spirits of Shanghai were in a good mood and decided not to interfere with the sound waves; it was too much coincidence. The DJ’s were really great, the people was impressed with their sound, the energy went never down, and it was difficult to leave. But Super Sophia and Julie were there and the rumor was “DJ Sacco is playing at MAO and he is going to do his all to get fired.” I was tired, but that is a weird invitation and curiosity has yet to kill this cat, so I had to go. We headed to MAO, a club struggling to survive since months ago, bringing underground DJs reluctantly. What I most regret about MAO is the way they confessed once they didn’t really care about the music they have. Have I told this before? I can’t remember. Anyway, I still remember such words. How can it be possible???
Well, at MAO, DJ Clement was there and he was genuinely angry to see all his friends there, who have never gone to his gigs at MAO. What could I say? Except I hadn’t checked his gigs at MAO but I was there when he played at Dragon with Laura Ingalls, a gig to remember because I learned a lot about Dragon with them there.
Back to DJ Sacco at MAO, there was the usual ‘MAO crowd’, and the others, should I call it the renegades of the electronic music in Shanghai, those that submit to the label of underground, just because they are people who are paying attention to the music and not only to the available drinks and affairs surrounding the speakers, which by the way, talking about sound, MAO’s sound system should be priced with the top one worst.
Sacco’s set was well prepared and disturbing, and amazingly well received. I don’t know yet what the result of the night was. I didn’t stay until the end (7 am), love of music is limited sooner or later by the need for rest.
Sunday was finally a bit slow, the rain and the holiday mood was good. I had a gig myself, and I was planning to go to Anar as soon as I finished, but I finished too late and when friends and me finally arrived at Anar, the music was over and the people were gone. So, LOgO. LogO’s Sunday Jam Sessions changed some time ago, and now they are guided by the Carmona Brothers. The Jam Session was finishing but there was a DJ after (of an unknown name, I was too done to do the proper search) and some of the guys who were just back from the Midi Festival. Some of them were totally discontented with the festival, but some others were so happy about it they had to go out to spread their energy around.
Right now I’m back from Monday at JZ, I made it to listen to the Lawrence Ku’s Trio, with him on the guitar, EJ “Silver Ass” Parker on double bass and Chris Trzcinski on drums. This trio plays a strong and cool kind of jazz–a refreshment for the ears full of rock and beats–nice melodies, cool solos, and well developed dominion on the instruments.
Shanghai has so much music we are not being able to cover it all. The sounds are coming from everywhere, the bikes, the woks, the horns, the yells, the music. It’s rush-hour in music.
*Photos of Split Works’ Creature at YuYinTang by Damien Chang
tags: Anar - Andy Best - Antidote - Brad Ferguson - Canada - China - Chris Trzcinski - Crazy Mushroom - Dance - DJ Sacco - Electronic - Fusion - Indie - Jazz - JZ - Lions of Puxi - Listen to - LOgO - MAO - Michael Michael - News - Rain - Reggae - Rock - S.T.D. - Shanghai - Split Works - Tango - The Shelter - Tico's Trio - UK - YuYinTang
April 30th, 2009 |
Posted in Editor's Picks by mike
Thursday:
Army of Freshmen, Mike TV, Turdus Musicus, Attention To Piss, and TOOKOO
Whether you’re going elsewhere for your music fix over the May vacation or not, you can catch this international punk/pop-punk get-together at YuYinTang. California’s Army Of Freshman are the headliners, with this stop part of a larger China tour, but all of the bands will give you something to jump around/be cool to.
YuYinTang, 1731 Yan’an Xi Lu, enter from Kaixuan Lu
9:00 start
60 RMB ticket
Friday:
Samba Batucada+Ballets Africaine+Yi’s Playground
If you’re staying in Shanghai but must be festivaled, try the Shanghai World Music Festival. Ballets Africaine have been around since before the marketing concept of “world music” existed, and are Guinea’s cultural ambassadors. Their show includes dancing, storytelling, and music, and should be hip. Joining them are Samba Batucada representing Brazil and Shanghai, and Yi’s Playground, repping the Huayao Yi of Yunnan.
Century Park Pudong
1:30pm start
30 RMB ticket
Creature w/ The Mushrooms
Part of Split Work’s/Canadian government weekend fest-esque thing, Straight Oota Canada, these concepty-dancy rocksters will share the stage with the crazy/tamed Mushrooms.
YuYinTang, 1731 Yan’an Xi Lu, enter from Kaixuan Lu
9:00 start
40 RMB ticket
El Cumpio Asesino
These Spanish melodramatic pop song/electro dudes and havers of a nice MySpace will swing over to the big city from the Midi fest to do their thing. They get an extra special recommendation by dint of being intriguing.
MoCA, Northwest corner of People’s Park
9:00 start
50 RMB cover including one glass of wine
Saturday:
Ballets Africaine+Aba+Shrine Synchro System
You get another shot at Ballets Africaine in the park, joined this time by the other Aba, who are a group performing traditional music and dance of Tibetan and Qiang people in the mountains of Sichuan, and London-based Shrine Synchro System, who have been bringing the richness of African music to the dance floor.
Century Park Pudong
1:30pm start
30 RMB ticket
Subculture Radio Launch
Along with Hangzhou’s favorite jazz program, Soulfire, getting it’s Shanghai launch a couple weeks ago, now we’re going to get subculture on the radio. Sweet! Celebrating this event will be Drunk Monk, Deville, and MC ChaCha, and their many friends. You can probably pick up the latest Pause:Play sampler while you’re there.
The Shelter, 5 Yongfu Lu near Fuxing Lu
10:00 start
30 RMB cover
Sunday:
Final Flash+Hollerado
The last show of the Straight Oota Canada mini-fest; psychedelic folk-rock quintet Final Flash have been making waves recently, receiving rave reviews for their SXSW show, and having Jace Lasek of the Besnard Lakes produce their debut CD, scheduled for release in spring 2009. The next Arcade Fire? Go find out!
Anar, 129 Xingfu Lu, near Fahuazhen Lu
40 RMB cover
Monday:
Liu Soula and Netsayi
The refreshingly expansive Liu Suola will be joined by Zimbabwean/British soul/jazz singer Netsayi for an exciting show.
Shanghai Oriental Arts Center, 425 Dingxiang Lu near Science and Technology Museum
7:30 start
Tickets from 30-100 RMB
Tuesday:
Zakir Hussain and AMRTA
Like with the DJ rankings, the fact that many consider Zakir Hussain the best tabla player in the world doesn’t necessarily mean he is, but it definitely means you should check him out. He’s joined by locals AMRTA.
Shanghai Oriental Arts Center, 425 Dingxiang Lu near Science and Technology Museum
7:30 start
Tickets from 30-100 RMB
tags: Anar - Brazil - Canada - ChaCha - China - Dance - Editor's Picks - Jazz - MoCA - Oriental Arts Center - Pop - Pop-punk - Punk - Rock - Samba - Shanghai - Sichuan - Soul - The Shelter - TOOKOO - Yunnan - YuYinTang - Zimbabwe
April 29th, 2009 |
Posted in Articles by mike
This May holiday will be packed with events, the Midi Festival in Zhenjiang, The Strawberry Festival in Beijing, Straight Oota Canada here in Shanghai, and probably many more. Also here in Shanghai is the World Music Festival, which is apparently some kind of proto-Expo thing. Here’s the line-up:
Thu April 30, 7:30pm: Deep Forest and Sa Dingding at Shanghai Oriental Arts Center
Friday May 1, 1:30pm: Samba Batucada, Yi People Longche Village Music and Dance, and Ballets Africains at Century Park
Saturday May 2, 1:30pm: Aba Tibetan/Qiang Music and Dance, Ballets Africains, and Shrine Synchro System at Century Park
Monday May 4, 7:30pm: Liu Suola and Netsayi at Oriental Arts Center
Tuesday May 5, 7:30pm: Zakir Hussain and AMRTA at Oriental Arts Center
Word on the Douban street is that you buy tickets for the Century Park events there, at 30 RMB each, and you can/should book tickets (from 30-100 RMB) for the Oriental Arts Center shows through their ticket office at 272 Fengxian Lu, or by calling 6217 2426 or 6217 3055.
You can also check out the event’s Douban page (Chinese) for more info. They have links to some of the performers there. I’ll fish them out in case your Chinese is bad:
刘索拉 http://www.douban.com/artist/solaliu/
Deep Forest http://www.douban.com/artist/deepforest/
Netsayi http://www.douban.com/artist/netsayi/
几内亚非洲舞蹈团 http://www.douban.com/artist/balletsafricains/
Shrine Syhchro System http://www.douban.com/artist/theshrine/
Zakir Hussain http://www.douban.com/artist/zakirhussain
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tags: Beijing - Canada - Dance - Oriental Arts Center - Samba - Shanghai - Strawberry Festival
