Beijing and Strawberries

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Our long escape to Beijing was epic. Lots of concerts to be had. Two music festivals plus the normal amount of great Beijing music = tough decisions and way too much time on public transportation. Why can’t a music scene like this get going in Shanghai?? The political scientist in me wants to say it has something to do with the climate and the proximity to the seat of government. But either way Beijing this weekend was a wonderful place for music fans.

We stuck to Strawberry Festival all weekend. Bands we saw: Bigger Bang, Xiao He, AV Okubo, Queen Sea Big Shark, Carsick Cars, Guaili, Xiu Xiu, Gia, Reflector, Hedgehog, and some others here and there. Faves of the weekend? AV Okubo and Hedgehog. I give the first props for great music and apt use of megaphones. The second because I enjoy seeing people shorter than me. And the tiny girl in this band could rock out on the drums, play the accordion, belt some tunes, all under 4’10″. Thank you for giving short people a good name, miniature Hedgehog child. Other than great music, the festival was pure gold for people watching. The Chinese hipsters came out in full force and we got to laugh at their get-up, unnecessary camera accessories, and complete inability to mosh. Really, after about a minute of jumping into each other, the moshpit would form into one giant Ring-Around-the-Rosy style circle, with everyone holding hands and people spinning in circles in the middle. Adorable.

We managed to squeeze in a few touristy things while in BJ. Went to 798 Art District — cool modern art in Beijing. Saw some art that was interesting, and some that was just silly (Bearzilla?). We spent a morning biking through the hutongs of Beijing — tiny historic alleyways in the city that run maze-like around the native Beijinger’s traditional courtyards. We chased the hutong tourist rickshaws and watched the pollen fall snow-like around us, then stopped for some of the most amazing dumplings we’ve ever had. You haven’t had dumplings until you’ve had freshly made Beijing dumplings. To die for.

Also got to enjoy some KTVing and about a year’s supply of chuanr (street food kebabs). Hopefully I’ll be back soon to rediscover touristy Beijing — a Great Wall overnight perhaps? At least hoping to get a glimpse of Mao’s mausoleum like some other friends did. Did you know that they have this guy preserved and on display in Tiananmen? Now that’s something Samantha Brown wouldn’t show ya.

Until next time Beijing!

Sound Kapital

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Last week went to Dada Bar’s photographer night. Semi-divey indie bar, and a cool place check out some local China photographers. We went mainly to catch Matthew Niederhauser showin off sweet pics from his book Sound Kapital. His photos were taken over years in the Beijing underground, showcasing almost violent live photos and portraits of the capital city’s grungy punk rock bands. The portraits in particular, which show the battered rockers in front of the beat-up China-red walls of Beijing club D22, have become the face of the burgeoning rock scene in Beijing. Pretty sweet — but 150 RMB for a coffee table book is a little too much for this English teacher. Hoping to go up north later this month to check out some concerts firsthand and appreciate Beijing sprung time!

For now, we’re out of the city and off to Moganshan for a weekend of hikin, swimmin, and bonfires. Ahh it’ll be just like home… welllll not quite. But at least we’ll be out of the durrty and into some clean air!

Now Listening: Hedgehog – 玩具和61儿童节 (Toys and Childrens Day)

Mars? Maybe.

China’s Jue Festival has come at just the right time. This fresh breath of creative art and music has brought with it some nice warm weather, helping us work up the energy to get out of the house and into the city’s art galleries and concert halls. But while Jue has brought some awesome art and music to Shanghai, there is nothing that can compare to the majesty of the American music festival. And hearing news about SXSW everywhere makes me somewhat jealous that I’m not near the grand ole country of Texas. The music part seems to be winding up this weekend, but if you’re in the Austin vicinity, here’s some killer China flavah you can check out.

PK14

Jue x 2

It’s no Orange Peel or Handlebar, but when it comes to live music in Shanghai, Yuyintang is the place to go. Is it super divey? Yeah. Does the number of people in there usually exceed fire safety standards? Probs. Have you had multiple strangers there tell you to “Just Pulse”? Oddly yes. It’s an interesting place. But the atmosphere definitely makes for the best concerts in Shanghai. And this weekend Shanghai was loaded with awesome musical acts thanks to the Jue Festival. We made the long journey out to Yuyintang twice this weekend in order to catch these awesome bands.

And I’ll Proudly Stand UP

I can roughly divide my time here in Shanghai into two different categories: weeks that I have Beijing Huanying Ni stuck in my head, and weeks that I don’t. This week happens to be one of the former. This song, meaning Beijing Welcomes You, came out last year for the Olympics and has a music video that will make the patriot in all of you want to fistpump. I’ve watched it many times and still can’t figure out what it is about this song that makes me love China so much. Maybe it’s the fact that it smushes all of China’s popstars into an epic 6 minute long ballad. Maybe it’s the ridiculous number of key changes. Or maybe Jackie Chan singing like an angel atop the Great Wall is all it takes. Even if you’re not Chinese, there’s no way you can watch this video and not have one tear slowly roll down your face with pride.

My only question is: does it beat Proud to be an American for all time most corny patriotic anthem?

(For translated English lyrics of Beijing Huanying Ni, check this out.)

Lazy Sun

There’s really nothing quite like waking up late on a rainy Saturday morning in Shanghai, heating up a pot of coffee on the stove and continuing my love affair with the music of Sarah Hargett and Gwyn Fowler. After a vigorous four weeks of traveling around Asia, I’m happy to say I’ve arrived (safely!) back in the beautiful city of Shanghai. Walking off the airport bus the other day to the beautiful trees of the French Concession and the smell of fresh bao zi being cooked almost brought a tear to my eye. Shanghai is really such an amazing city and I vow to appreciate her much more from here on out.

Unfortunately, I am unable to update everyone right now about my crazy excellent journey across the sands, treetops, and city skylines of Asia because I was just told by my boss yesterday that I have to move apartments! You finally get back to the apartment you call home and Surprise! You have to move. But I’m actually excited to move to a new place and start this (Chinese) new year with a very very clean slate – New babies, New apartment, New passport book, New Betsy?? Fo sho.

Currently Listening: Gwyn Fowler – For Me  &  Sarah Hargett – Cold Hard Winter